BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has announced 25 opportunity zones in the state with some local areas being selected to participate.

Each Governor was authorized to designate 25% of the eligible census tracts as Opportunity Zones in their state. Governor Burgum selected 25 zones for the new community development program established by Congress in the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 to encourage long-term investments in low-income and urban communities nationwide.

The Opportunity Zone program was part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act approved by Congress and signed by the president. All the states were allowed to specify areas that would participate in the program.

Barnes, Dickey, Emmons, Stutsman and Wells Counties have all been selected to participate.

“In North Dakota, we feel strongly that local communities have the on-the-ground expertise to recommend which eligible census tracts in their county, city, tribal land or region should be designated Opportunity Zones,” the governor’s office states. “That’s why we are asking you to prioritize and rank census tracts in your city/county or tribal area that are eligible to be Opportunity Zones.”

The Treasury Department will finalize approval of the designated Census Tracts and administer the Opportunity Zone Program.