Designation Process

State governors can nominate 25% of their respective state’s eligible census tracts every ten years to become Opportunity Zones. In 2026, Indiana will be able to nominate 126 of its 501 eligible census tracts. A list of eligible census tracts can be found on Indiana's Opportunity Zone mapping tool.

The Indiana Office of Commerce, through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, is leading the process to identify Indiana’s next cohort of Opportunity Zones on behalf of Governor Braun. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs will provide guidance and input, and other state agencies will provide support throughout the selection process. The process is supported by external research, data, and economic development partners. Indiana’s approach is intended to align Opportunity Zone designations with broader state and regional priorities related to economic development, housing, entrepreneurship, redevelopment, quality of place, and rural competitiveness.

Stakeholder input is critical to identifying the strongest possible census tracts for OZ designation. From June 3 through July 17, the State received recommendations from READI regions, local governments, economic development organizations, investors, developers, community organizations, and the broader public through a statewide nomination portal. The public input period has now closed, and stakeholder recommendations submitted through the portal are being reviewed as part of the State’s evaluation and final selection process.  As the State reviews submitted recommendations, it will prioritize census tracts supported by demonstrated planning, regional coordination, and realistic potential for long-term economic impact. Recommendations from READI regions and local stakeholders will play an important role in informing the State’s selections, but submission of a recommendation does not guarantee designation.

On or before September 28, 2026, Indiana will submit its final list of 126 eligible census tracts for federal government designation as Opportunity Zones. Additional information on the stakeholder input process and how census tracts will be evaluated is available through the links below.

OZ Guidance & Resources OZ Eligibility Map 

Please reach out to OpportunityZones@gov.in.gov if you have additional questions.