October 24, 2025
Boston Business Journal recently published an article featuring Greg Stoller, Master Lecturer of Strategy and Innovation, discussing how Congress has renewed the Opportunity Zone program, aiming to spur investment in low-income areas, but with stricter eligibility rules reducing qualifying tracts by 26%.
Governors must designate zones by July 2026, with Massachusetts potentially qualifying over 100 Boston-area tracts. Experts say coordinated efforts could attract institutional investment, but past results were mixed, with limited job growth and a heavy focus on real estate. As urban and rural areas now compete for designation, Stoller highlights the political uncertainty surrounding Massachusetts’ share:
“Is this really going to happen for the Bay State? If it is, that would be a wonderful about-face,” Stoller adds.
With the July 2026 deadline approaching, stakeholders in Massachusetts are weighing their strategies to ensure the state maximizes the program’s potential benefits.
