Montana Adds 25 New Opportunity Zones to Boost Investment

Montana has secured 25 new Opportunity Zones across sixteen counties, expanding investment incentives.

The U.S. Treasury Department accepted Montana’s nomination of these zones, marking a significant structural update to the state’s economic development framework. This move follows federal requirements tied to the 2025 Reconciliation Act and builds upon the original 25 zones designated in 2018.

Opportunity Zones offer federal tax incentives that encourage reinvestment of unrealized capital gains into low-income census tracts, aiming to stimulate job creation, economic growth, and community revitalization. Montana’s nominations were submitted under the Opportunity Zone 2.0 framework, with the new designations taking effect on January 1, 2027. Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio emphasized the potential for these zones to attract private capital and foster long-term development in areas including workforce training, affordable housing, and infrastructure.

The newly designated Opportunity Zones will officially begin on the first day of 2027.

While Montana’s Opportunity Zones map is publicly available, specific locations within the sixteen counties remain unspecified. Given Montana’s vast geography and diverse economic conditions, these zones could provide targeted incentives to communities where capital inflows have been historically limited, potentially reshaping local business landscapes and investment strategies.

Commerce Announces Designation of 25 New Opportunity Zones in Montana | Montana Department of Commerce