Wyoming Working Group to Host July 14 Webinar

Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) has convened the Wyoming Opportunity Zones 2.0 Working Group to spearhead a collaborative, data-driven approach to the state’s federal tract selection strategy, beginning with a statewide virtual information and listening session on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 12 p.m. MDT. The goal of the webinar is to educate local communities, developers, and investors on the critical differences between legacy Opportunity Zone (OZ) 1.0 rules and the newly enacted OZ 2.0 framework, while actively seeking initial stakeholder input on the state’s upcoming strategy.

The session will be led by Connor Christensen, Economic Policy & Research Advisor for the Wyoming Business Council, and Seth Ulvestad, Senior Policy Advisor for the Office of Governor Mark Gordon. Because Governor Gordon holds the final statutory authority to review, revise, and formally submit Wyoming’s official census tract selections to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, this session serves as a first and vital step to bring stakeholders together, align local realities with federal rules, and ensure our communities have a direct voice in the state’s recommendation process. 

With the federal 90-day zone nomination window opening on July 1, 2026, the Working Group is prioritizing early stakeholder feedback to ensure Wyoming’s final recommendations reflect real, localized investment potential. 

WHO:

• Connor Christensen, Economic Policy & Research Advisor, Wyoming Business Council
• Seth Ulvestad, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Governor Mark Gordon
• Target Audience: County commissioners, mayors, tribal leaders, municipal economic developers, local project sponsors, and regional private equity investors.

WHAT::

An educational briefing and listening session designed to break down OZ 1.0 vs. OZ 2.0 rules and capture community input, focusing on:

• Program Comparison: Understanding the shift from legacy 1.0 rules to the new permanent 10-year rolling cycle under the new OZ 2.0 framework.
• Tighter Eligibility Rules: Reviewing federal income threshold changes that alter which specific Wyoming census tracts legally qualify. 
• The Rural Advantage: Exploring newly enhanced incentives—like a higher basis step-up and lower property rehab thresholds—designed to favor Wyoming communities. 
• Local Listening Session: Gathering infrastructure data and economic priorities from local leaders to shape the final selection package delivered to Governor Gordon ahead of the federal September 28, 2026, deadline.

WHEN:  Tuesday, July 14, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. MDT

WHERE:  Virtual Event via Zoom – Advance registration is required 

More information about Opportunity Zones 2.0 is available at the Wyoming Business Council Opportunity Zones Portal.