--- title: Governor DeWine Announces 260 New Opportunity Zones Across Ohio canonical: https://theohiofeed.com/governor-dewine-announces-260-new-opportunity-zones-across-ohio/ published: '2026-11-08T01:33:15-05:00' updated: '2026-11-08T01:33:15-05:00' author: OhioFeed Staff section: Business & Economy tags: - Governor - Development - Appointments - Jobs - Benefits source: Ohio Department of Development source_url: https://development.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/development/home/news-and-events/all-news/2026-1105-governor-dewine-announces-260-new-opportunity-zones-across-ohio publisher: OhioFeed attribution: Copyright OhioFeed. Quote with credit to OhioFeed and a link to the canonical URL above. --- # Governor DeWine Announces 260 New Opportunity Zones Across Ohio Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced that 260 census tracts in Ohio have been designated as federal Opportunity Zones. The designations aim to encourage private investment and economic growth in communities across the state, according to the Ohio Department of Development. The Opportunity Zones 2.0 program will provide federal tax incentives starting January 1, 2027, to support housing development, business expansion, job creation, and community revitalization. --- ### Press Release: Ohio Department of Development *Reproduced in full from the [Ohio Department of Development](https://development.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/development/home/news-and-events/all-news/2026-1105-governor-dewine-announces-260-new-opportunity-zones-across-ohio).* #### Governor DeWine Announces 260 New Opportunity Zones Across Ohio #### *Federal designations will encourage private investment and economic growth in communities across the state* (COLUMBUS, Ohio), Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik today announced that 260 census tracts in Ohio have been named federal Opportunity Zones, creating stronger pathways to long-term investment and economic growth in more communities. The Opportunity Zones 2.0 program, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, will provide federal tax incentives designed to encourage outside investments that support housing development, business expansion, job creation, and community revitalization. All 260 census tracts nominated by the DeWine Administration recently received approval from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. A census tract is a small, geographically defined area established by the U.S. Census Bureau to collect and analyze population, housing, and economic data within a community. "Every community in Ohio has something special to offer, and we want to make sure they have the opportunity to thrive," said Governor DeWine. "Whether it's bringing new life to a downtown, creating great-paying jobs, or building housing for more families, these Opportunity Zones will help attract investments that can make a real difference in the lives of Ohioans.” Originally established in 2017, the federal Opportunity Zones program encourages private investment in economically distressed communities by providing tax benefits to eligible investors. Ohio's first round of Opportunity Zones, designated in 2018, included 320 census tracts across 73 counties. Under the permanent Opportunity Zones 2.0 framework enacted by Congress in 2025, states must redesignate eligible zones every 10 years. The newly designated zones will remain in effect through 2036. The Department of Development received 951 nominations representing 515 of Ohio's 1,040 eligible census tracts. From those submissions, which were provided through a statewide survey, 260 tracts were nominated for designation, including 96 in rural communities. All counties with an eligible tract received at least one nomination. Additionally, 78 of the newly designated tracts were included in Ohio's original Opportunity Zones program, building on previous growth efforts while expanding the program's reach to additional communities. - [**MORE: Full List of Newly Designated Opportunity Zones**](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/OHIOGOVERNOR/2026/11/05/file_attachments/3848101/Ohio_OZ_2.0_-_Approved_Tracts.pdf) - [**MORE: Full List of Newly Designated Opportunity Zones**](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/OHIOGOVERNOR/2026/11/05/file_attachments/3848101/Ohio_OZ_2.0_-_Approved_Tracts.pdf) "The incredible response we received from communities across Ohio shows just how much potential exists in every corner of our state,” said Director Mihalik. “By working with our local partners to identify these areas, we're empowering more communities to attract new businesses, strengthen their neighborhoods, and provide better lives for the people who call them home." Counties receiving new Opportunity Zone designations include Adams (1 tract), Allen (5), Ashland (1), Ashtabula (6), Athens (3), Belmont (3), Brown (2), Butler (7), Carroll (1), Clark (4), Clermont (2), Clinton (1), Columbiana (2), Coshocton (2), Crawford (2), Cuyahoga (39), Darke (1), Defiance (1), Delaware (1), Erie (2), Fairfield (2), Fayette (2), Franklin (28), Gallia (1), Greene (3), Guernsey (1), Hamilton (19), Hancock (1), Hardin (1), Harrison (1), Highland (1), Hocking (1), Huron (1), Jackson (1), Jefferson (2), Knox (1), Lake (2), Lawrence (2), Licking (3), Logan (2), Lorain (5), Lucas (16), Madison (1), Mahoning (7), Marion (2), Medina (1), Meigs (1), Miami (3), Montgomery (13), Morgan (1), Morrow (1), Muskingum (2), Ottawa (1), Perry (1), Pickaway (1), Pike (1), Portage (1), Richland (2), Ross (1), Sandusky (1), Scioto (4), Seneca (1), Shelby (1), Stark (6), Summit (9), Trumbull (5), Tuscarawas (2), Union (1), Van Wert (1), Vinton (1), Warren (1), Washington (1), Wayne (1), Williams (1), and Wood (1). Source: [Ohio Department of Development](https://development.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/development/home/news-and-events/all-news/2026-1105-governor-dewine-announces-260-new-opportunity-zones-across-ohio)