PRT President Farah Ahmad said: “Opportunity Zones hold tremendous potential to drive investment into rural communities facing persistent poverty across the country – if they are done correctly. This guide offers a framework for state policymakers and local practitioners to ensure that this once-in-a-decade opportunity is not missed in the rural communities millions of people call home.”

HAC President and CEO David Lipsetz said: “Investment in persistently poor rural places is an essential step to address our nation’s affordable housing crisis. State officials have an important opening this year to identify the right places for this investment. This guide explains what’s at stake and how they can take action.”

HOPE Senior Advisor for Policy and Advocacy Diane Standaert said: “With this upcoming round of Opportunity Zone selections, states have a once-in-decade chance to get it right for rural places. HOPE’s experience demonstrates how it’s possible to align community-driven solutions, private investors, and public policy to drive transformative change in rural communities, including those experiencing persistent poverty. With advance planning as recommended in this guide, states can ensure they do not overlook solutions for economic opportunity in the rural areas that need it most.”

Created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Opportunity Zones spur economic growth and job creation in low-income communities while providing tax benefits to investors. The first round of Opportunity Zones generated $120 billion in new investments across the country. However, only a fraction of that, about $6 billion, flowed into rural communities by 2022, and even less reached areas experiencing persistent poverty.

The program was amended in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and added new incentives for rural communities, including a 30% step-up in basis points for investments and a 50% threshold for showing substantial improvement to rehabilitation projects. However, an overly broad definition of “rural” risks funding being diverted away from targeted rural and Native communities. For example, Atlantic City meets the definition of a “rural Opportunity Zone” under the OBBBA.

Activating Rural Investments in the Next Round of Opportunity Zones: Recommendations for States  can be found here. The recommendations follow four guidelines:

• Engage Rural Communities, Native Communities, and Practitioners: Hearing directly from rural communities through organizations like Community Development Financial Institutions and non-profit developers will help state and local leaders designate Opportunity Zones that will have the greatest impact.

• Create a Map that Targets Unique Rural Needs and Development Goals: Mapping tools can assist state and local leaders in designating rural areas where investment is needed most and illuminate the opportunities to leverage additional investment incentives.

• Create Priorities in State Funding Programs: States can take a more active role in driving investment into rural communities facing persistent poverty by prioritizing projects within preexisting state programs to attract additional resources and investors.  
• Create an Assessment Tool: Establishing a clear decision-making rubric can ensure high-impact selections are made in a transparent manner.

PRT, HAC, and HOPE hosted a webinar on the guide for state policymakers, regional development hubs, and local non-profits. You can watch the webinar here.   

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main takeaway from the guide?

• Opportunity Zones (OZ) 2.0 presents a major opportunity to direct private investment into rural communities, but outcomes will be based on the designations states choose. The time is now to influence this once-in-a-decade opportunity to shape private investment into Native and rural community development projects through 2036. Follow the Guide’s four recommendations to ensure your state’s rural and Native communities benefit from OZ 2.0

Why is it urgent to take the recommended actions now?

• States must submit their designation choices before September 29, 2026. To implement the recommendations made in the Guide, rural advocates, practitioners, and community leaders need to act now. These designations will be in effect until Dec 2036, so missing this opportunity means missing out on a decade of incentivized private investment into rural and Native communities.

Why did PRT, HAC and the HOPE Policy Institute create these recommendations to help with rural OZ 2.0 designations?

• The statutory definition of “rural” is too broad and includes places like Atlantic City, NJ. To help ensure OZ designations reach high impact rural areas, PRT, HAC, and Hope Policy Institute created the Guide with four recommendations to help states select zones where opportunity, rurality, and impact intersect for the most advantageous OZ designations.

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For centuries, rural America has fueled our nation’s economy, powering agriculture, energy, and innovation, yet systemic disinvestment has left too many communities behind. Despite their vital contributions, some rural regions combat persistent poverty, exclusion from decision-making, and a stark lack of investment compared to urban centers. But change is possible.

Introducing the Rural Funding Guide—a groundbreaking roadmap crafted by the Partners for Rural Transformation (PRT). Drawing from the real-world insights of rural practitioners, the Rural Funding Guide contains eight actionable practices to transform and inform how public and private funders invest in rural prosperity. From equitable systems to strong local partnerships, these strategies ensure funding reaches the communities that need it most—and works the way rural leaders know best.

The time to reinvest in rural America is now. Discover how funders, policymakers, and advocates can shift the tide. Read the Guide and join the movement for equitable rural investment.

The research and local voices that informed the Guide can be found here.

The post Unlocking Rural Prosperity: The Rural Funding Guide is Here appeared first on Partners for Rural Transformation.

Our End of Year Message is here, and it’s packed with stories and updates you won’t want to miss:

Impact Narratives: Be inspired by the work done in 2024 from our amazing Partners, National Partners, and Regional Partners.

???? Everything Else: Stories of Rural America (Volume II): Explore the latest addition to our Story Map and uncover the journeys shaping our communities – and the real rural narrative.

???? A Big Announcement: Want to know more about how PRT works? Now you can – meet SWIFT.

???? A Glimpse into 2025: Get ready for what’s next on the horizon.

This is more than just a reflection—it’s a celebration of you and the shared work that’s transforming the lives of our rural neighbors and communities.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Together, we’re shaping the future.

????Read PRT’s 2024 End of Year Message Now

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