COLUMBUS, Ind. – Governor Mike Braun has nominated Columbus’ downtown census tract 101 for designation as an Opportunity Zone under the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Opportunity Zone 2.0 program.

The Opportunity Zone (OZ) program, established by Congress in 2017 and made permanent through federal legislation in 2025, encourages long-term private investment in designated communities by offering federal capital gains tax incentives through Qualified Opportunity Funds. Columbus’ nomination is part of Indiana’s 2027–2036 OZ 2.0 cycle.

Under federal law, the U.S. Department of the Treasury must certify the nominated tracts before their designation takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

Indiana nominated 126 census tracts, about 25 percent of those eligible statewide, for the upcoming cycle. According to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), the selection process evaluated public input, quantitative data, investment potential, development opportunities and alignment with state, regional and community priorities. The nominated tracts represent all 15 economic development regions, include portions of 61 cities or towns and 47 counties, and encompass 42 rural census tracts.

Opportunity Zone 2.0 maintains the original program’s focus on strengthening low-income communities through private investment while introducing updated requirements. The revised framework tightens income eligibility thresholds, incorporates new accountability and reporting measures, expands support for rural communities and enhances federal tax incentives to help drive additional private capital into underserved areas.

City officials say the nomination reflects ongoing, collaborative efforts to support growth, housing and economic development in Columbus and thanked partners in Bartholomew County government, the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation and Visit Columbus for their support in the nomination process.

“This nomination recognizes the strong vision of our community and the collaborative work underway to support new investment in Columbus,” said Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon. “Being selected positions us to attract more private capital to projects that strengthen quality of place, support business growth and benefit residents.”

Jake Sipe, director of Community Development for the City of Columbus, said the designation offers a valuable opportunity. “This helps reinforce Columbus’ reputation for innovation and strategic development,” Sipe said. “We look forward to working with local partners to attract more private investment to the area following the designation.”

A map of showing census tract 101 is embedded below. The tract is shaded green. A map showing the census tract can be found here: https://opportunityzones.com/map/?geoid=18005010100&list=elig

The full list and interactive map of Indiana’s nominated Opportunity Zones visit the Indiana Economic Development Corporation website.