What have we learned about Opportunity Zones in the last three years? This panel will also provide an overview of OZ Fund (QOF) structures used for different project types.

Moderator

Tiffany Hollin-Wright
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

John Lettieri
President
Economic Innovation Group

Ira Weinstein
Principal
CohnReznick LLP

Marc Schultz
Snell and Wilmer attorney

Communities have been working with Opportunity Appalachia to develop OZ projects ready for investment. Each community will present their project for 10 minutes, and then there will be opportunities for investors to schedule private meetings with project teams at the end of the day.

Project Listing here

Moderator

Monica Miller, WV Community Development Hub

Round 1

Cohen Building Project (NMTC funding), Grafton, WV

Micronic Technologies (QOF funding), Bristol, VA

Staats Building Project (QOF, HTC, and NMTC funding), Charleston, WV

20 Federal Place (NMTC and HTC), Youngstown, OH

Moderator

Shannon Blevins, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development, UVA Wise

Round 2

Thundercloud Fiber Network and Data Center, Huntington, WV

City of Galax, Vaughan Furniture Building (NMTC and HTC funding), Galax, VA

Hotel Swisher (CDFI and QOF funding), Somerset, OH

Bristol Sports Complex and Events, Bristol, VA

Reflections on the day’s conversations.

Donna Gambrell
President & CEO
Appalachian Community Capital

A variety of different investors are engaging in partnering with Opportunity Funds, including banks and corporations, venture capitalists, and impact investors, to name a few. Who are they and how can you engage them to consider investments in your community? During this session, a roundtable of investors will discuss their approaches, what motivates them, and the types of investments they are considering in local Opportunity Zones.

Katie Kramer, Vice President, Council of Development Finance Agencies

Sam Spencer, CEO, CEI-Boulos Capital Management – QOF

Kevin Rogers, SVP, PNC Community Development Banking – QOF

Hannah Vargason, Director Strategic Initiatives, NCIFund – CDFI

Bryan Phipps, Chief Development Officer, People Incorporated Financial Services – CDE

Communities have been working with Opportunity Appalachia to develop OZ projects ready for investment. Each community will present their project for 10 minutes, and then there will be opportunities to schedule private meetings at the end of the day.

Moderator
Katy Farber, Vice President, OhioSE

Round 3

Canal Warehouse Restoration (HTC project), Chillicothe, OH

Prichard Revitalization (housing / LIHTC), Huntington, WV

Green Industrial Manufacturing Ecosystem Inc., Struthers, OH

Morgan County Improvement Corporation, McConnelsville, OH

Public agencies will join the conversation to discuss how they are participating in and supporting OZ projects.

Moderator
Michelle Foster, President, Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation

Aaron Morris, Deputy Administrator, USDA-RD (DC)

Tracey Rowan, WV State Director, U.S. EDA

Matt Weaver, Associate Director, Virginia Dept. Housing and Community Development

Lydia Mihalik, Director, Ohio DSA

Communities have been working with Opportunity Appalachia to develop OZ projects ready for investment. Each community will present their project for 10 minutes, and then there will be opportunities for investors to schedule private meetings with project teams at the end of the day.

Moderator
Jay Beekman – Director of Investments, LOCUS Impact Investing

Round 4

Tygart Hotel (NMTC and HTC funding), Elkins, WV

Zanesville Gateway Project 9118, Zanesville, OH

mount TERRA redevelopment, Bluefield, VA