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Bexar County lays out plan to nominate up to 116 census tracts for Opportunity Zones 2.0
Summary
Bexar County staff outlined a data-driven plan to submit up to 116 eligible census tracts to the state for federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 consideration, prioritizing distressed neighborhoods and suburban city tracts. The court will consider final approval on June 23 before Greater SATX submits the packet to the governor's office.
Deborah Carter, Bexar County's director of economic development, presented the county's recommended nominations for Opportunity Zones 2.0 and said the goal is to maximize the county's allowed nominations while coordinating with the City of San Antonio.
"Eligible census tracts must be less than or equal to 70% of the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area's median family income, which is $61,950," Carter said, describing the federal eligibility threshold and the county's scoring matrix. She told the court the county will support the city's 69 recommended tracts and recommend the remaining balance to reach the 116-tract cap available to the county.
Carter walked commissioners through precinct-by-precinct recommendations and said staff prioritized shovel-ready projects, evidence of local support (tax abatement or development agreements), and geographic balance. She also noted the county emailed suburban mayors and sought letters of support where tracts fall inside smaller cities such as Balcones Heights, Kirby, Leon Valley, Somerset, Von Ormy and Windcrest.
Commissioners asked for street-level clarity for two gray (not recommended) tracts in the Southeast precinct; Carter said staff would follow up with exact street boundaries and potential adjustments before the June 23 consent agenda. The court did not take final action on June 9 but will revisit the packet for approval before the county's nomination is submitted to the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office.
