Opportunity Zones, a federal economic development tool that provides tax incentives for investments in low income communities, is one of the most exciting and catalytic development finance tools in decades. However, just having an Opportunity Zone in your community may not be enough to draw in investments from Opportunity Funds. Tool utilization is complex, complicated, and requires a deep level of understanding. Communities and practitioners with the greatest understanding of key strategies and deployment mechanisms will feel the biggest impact from this creative financing program.

The Intro Opportunity Zones Finance Course will bring together program designers, fund managers, communities, investors, and policy experts to educate and review strategies on how to maximize Opportunity Zone designations and attract zone investments. This interactive webcourse will help communities bring all economic development stakeholders to the table, and have a firm understanding of how the development finance toolbox can both encourage and supplement Opportunity Fund investments.

This course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute's Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.

Course Objectives Learn the basics of Opportunity Zones Understand the many players in the Opportunity Zone industry Interact with fund managers and investors Discuss best practice principles for Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds Learn how to identify funders and how to market zones Discuss how Opportunity Zones could fund community revitalization Examine best practices Create networks and project nexus for potential future investment

Topics Covered Basics of Opportunity Zones Attracting investment Engaging stakeholders and the community Rural and urban Opportunity Zone approaches Opportunity Zone impact investing Community, zone, and investment case studies When and where Opportunity Funds invest Fund managers perspectives on zone investment State Opportunity Zone approaches Debt financing mechanisms to support fund investment

Who Should Attend? Economic development professionals Community development professionals Real estate developers Investors and fund managers Non-profit leaders Elected officials Legal counsel Policy makers Accountants and tax professionals Commercial bankers Financial advisors

Course Advisor

Katie Kramer Ohio Statewide Development Corporation Executive Director Katie Kramer is the Executive Director at the Ohio Statewide Development Corporation where she oversees a portfolio of 300+ small business borrowers, which represents about $112 million in loans and over $395 million of combined public and private... investment across Ohio. She is an accomplished non-profit executive with expertise in fundraising, grant writing, operations, and building organizational capacity. Her writing has been featured in publications and reports on development finance, including those commissioned by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, U. S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Energy, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, and the World Bank. She regularly speaks about development finance and access to capital at national and local conferences and has served as guest lecturer at several U.S. colleges and universities. Before joining OSDC, Ms. Kramer was the Vice President at the Council of Development Finance Agencies. During her time there, she was responsible for building an $18 million loan guarantee program, passing the $10 billion State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Program as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, and providing technical assistance to development finance agencies across the United States. She wrote and analyzed development finance policies for Congressional leaders, developed numerous courses in the CDFA Training Institute, and contributed to several CDFA publications on tax-exempt bonds, revolving loan funds, tax credits, and other development finance tools. Early in her career, Ms. Kramer worked in the Assessment Division at Ballard & Tighe, Publishers and as Assistant Director of the Annual Fund at Scripps College. She studied Art History at Scripps College and holds a BA with honors from Cleveland State University. Katie can be reached at kkramer@osdc.net. (More)

The Intro Opportunity Zones Course is not currently on the schedule. Please check back for updates.

This training course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute's Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.

Scholarships are available to attend this event. Learn more about the CDFA Scholarship Program, and submit your application today.

CDFA permits only one person to login and participate in the course. If multiple people are accessing the course without paying to attend, we will terminate the connection and access to GoToWebinar. CDFA offers group discounts for organizations that wish to register multiple people.

Register before ______ for Early-Bird Rates.

Early Bird Rates (Ends April 2) CDFA Member: $550 Non-Member: $825

Standard Rates (After April 2) CDFA Member: $600 Non-Member: $875