Economic-development consultants urge Jefferson County to submit two Opportunity Zone nominations
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Summary
Consultants and the North Florida Economic Development Partnership told the board two Jefferson County census tracts score competitively for Opportunity Zone designation and recommended submitting nominations by the state deadline to increase chances for governor-level selection; board discussed safeguards and possible local priorities such as CTE training facilities.
Economic-development consultants briefed the Jefferson County Commission on Monday and urged the board to nominate two eligible census tracts for Opportunity Zone designation, saying the tracts rank competitively statewide and that nomination would give the county a tool to attract private investment.
Jeff Henry of the North Florida Economic Development Partnership said the county has two eligible tracts and that one tract scored about 173 out of 1,360 statewide on a regionwide model. “You have an opportunity to sell that message,” he told commissioners, explaining that a governor’s office will select roughly 25% of eligible tracts for final federal nomination and that rural tracts receive an additional tax‑benefit multiplier that can attract investors.
Victor Liotta of Location Design Group described the scoring model’s components — commercial viability, infrastructure and access, economic need and environmental risk — and said Jefferson County has at least one high‑scoring, developable site that strengthens its case. Board members asked how the county could protect local priorities after designation; presenters emphasized that local land‑use, zoning and permitting decisions remain with the county and cities, and that Opportunity Zone designation is a financing tool, not an override of local control.
Several speakers said the county should aim to steer potential investment toward workforce training and technical‑education facilities; the chairman of the school board said such projects would have the school board’s support. Commissioners asked staff to prepare a draft nomination letter and to coordinate with the governor’s office and Department of Commerce before the May 1 state deadline.
No final vote on a nomination was recorded at the meeting; staff said they would work to prepare materials for a decision and recommended a first ranking for the most competitive tract in case the governor selects only one.
