CAEDA is also seeking $10,000 from both Natrona County and the Town of Mills to hire a contractor to do work related to economic “Opportunity Zones,” according to CAEDA Vice President of Business Development Medical and Finance Sabrina Foreman.

Article continues below…. “An Opportunity Zone is an economically distressed designated census tract in which certain types of investments, made through Opportunity Funds, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment,” the website explains.

“The U.S. Treasury completed the certification of Opportunity Zone designations on June 14, 2018, at which time the four tracts recommended to the Treasury by Gov. Mead were accepted and confirmed.” The website lists the four zones that received approval in Casper.

“The zones in Casper that were approved include the census tract south of Hwy 20/26 to west of Poplar St. to north of W. Yellowstone Hwy and Poison Spider Rd. and east of Robertson Rd,” the website reads.

“The third zone touches the North Platte River on its north side, to the west of Poplar St, to north of CY Ave and east of SW Wyoming Blvd. The fourth zone is the easternmost zone which includes Casper’s downtown area from east of Poplar St to south of the North Platte River to west of S Beverly St. and north of E Yellowstone Hwy and Collins Dr.”. “Opportunity zones are an option to bring in new business,” Councilman Chris Walsh said.