~ Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has nominated six Tacoma census tracts for federal Opportunity Zone designation following a statewide selection process, according to the city.

Five tracts — 61602, 62600, 61601, 61400 and 63401 — are seeking to retain their existing designations. The sixth, tract 94007, is a new nomination.

The city said the proposed zones cover areas including Downtown Tacoma, Hilltop, the Brewery District, Portland Avenue, South Tacoma along Pacific Avenue, the South Tacoma Manufacturing Industrial Center and the vicinity of the Puyallup Tribal Headquarters. The designations are intended to encourage investment in housing, businesses and industrial activity, and to reduce vacant properties in downtown and neighborhood business districts.

Tacoma Mayor Anders Ibsen said the zones could help attract housing near transit, jobs near businesses and investment along commercial corridors. Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell said the city would continue helping businesses access technical support and other resources.

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The city said its existing Opportunity Zones have attracted more than $250 million in private investment since 2018. It said that capital has supported housing, mixed-use development and transit-oriented growth serving a range of income levels.

Under federal rules, governors may nominate up to 25% of eligible census tracts with median incomes below 70% of the county area median income. The state's nominations fell from 139 zones in 36 counties to 99 zones, with the revised selection prioritizing rural tracts, according to the release.

The Tacoma nominations were supported by Representative Emily Randall, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the Puget Sound Regional Council, Pierce County and several local business, development, education and transit organizations, the city said.

The federal program offers tax incentives intended to spur investment in low-income communities. The city said the program has no fiscal impact on Tacoma and that updated federal reporting requirements will make investment easier to track.

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