Opportunity Zones were created and added to the federal tax code as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that was approved by Congress Dec. 22 in order to stimulate economic development in distressed communities. Investors are eligible to receive certain tax benefits on unrealized capital gains reinvested in Opportunity Zones through pooled Opportunity Funds. The designation for Qualified Opportunity Zones remains intact for 10 years. Through the act, governors were able to designate up to 25 percent of the total number of eligible areas within a state to be designated as Opportunity Zones. According to the West Virginia Department of Commerce’s website, “Low-income census tracts are areas in which the individual poverty rate is at least 20 percent or median family income is no more than 80 percent of the area median.” Gov. Jim Justice, in turn, deemed fifty five areas as Opportunity Zones throughout the state. An Opportunity Fund is the investment mechanism which will be used to encourage investment in targeted Opportunity Zones. It is a natural fit for Fairmont and all of West Virginia as a way to spur development and increase economic and job opportunities in areas where it is most needed.