Mayor Suarez Hosting Two-Day Opportunity Zone Summit

(Miami, FL September 19, 2019) – City of Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez will host a two-day Opportunity Zone (OZ) Summit on Friday, September 27, 2019 and Saturday, September 28, 2019.  Notable federal partners that will be in attendance include: Honorable Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., Secretary, U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD); Mr. Chris Pilkerton, Acting Administrator, Small Business Administration (SBA) of the United States; Dr. John C. Fleming, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Economic Development; and Mr. Scott Turner, Executive Director, White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.

“Opportunity Zones are one of the most profound and transformative federal urban revitalization programs in a generation,” said Mayor Suarez. Established by Congress as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Opportunity Zones are designed to tap into an estimated $6.1 trillion in unrealized capital gains. “The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is very encouraged by the proactive approach taken by the City of Mami and Mayor Suarez,” said Secretary Carson. “This is an important initiative that requires Federal and local collaboration, something we are proud to be doing with the great City of Miami,” Secretary Carson further stated.

The September 27, 2019 agenda will focus on real estate development trends in Miami’s OZ neighborhoods powered by the artificial intelligence development tool Deepblocks. Because jobs and job creation drive affordability for American families and entrepreneurs, the September 28, 2019 agenda will focus on leveraging private equity with Small Business Investment Corporations (SBICs) and other federal resources for business acquisition, expansion, development and relocation to OZs. The OZ summit will conclude with a pre-registration Matchmaker Bus Tour of available sites for lease and purchase by entrepreneurs and investors in Miami’s OZs.

To register for summit events, please visit: cityofmiamiozsummit.com