HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-22-18 Public Comment - Gallatin County Commission - Support for Opportunity Zones z 4��GAL AT��,`''+ County Commission
GALLATIN COUNTY R. Stephen White
Joe P. Skinner
311 West Main,Rm. 306 • Bozeman,MT 59715 Donald R Seifert
commission@gallatin.mt.gov
OF MO Phone (406) 582-3000
March 19, 2018
The Honorable Governor Steve Bullock
State Capitol, Room 2014
Post Office Box 200801
Helena,Montana 59620-0801
Re: Support for Opportunity Zones
Dear Governor Bullock:
The recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 established a new program designed to
encourage private investments in "areas that are currently the focus of mutually reinforcing
State, local, or private economic development initiatives to foster start-up activity." We are
asking you to support the selections of Candidate Opportunity Zones, tracts 6 and 11.02. Tract
6 is becoming an industrious commercial and residential area of the county that embraces great
historical significance. Tract 11.02 encompasses Montana State University, the Montana State
University Innovation Campus (MSUIC),and the East Main Corridor in Bozeman.
Investments in these zones will help drive growth in high-tech industries,which will result in a
highly diverse business district providing high-wage jobs near MSU and the Bozeman downtown
core. MSU,the City of Bozeman,and Gallatin County are working together to make substantial
investments in research,infrastructure,and economic development initiatives. The Opportunity
Zone program will help further leverage those efforts for the benefit of the city,county,and State
of Montana by encouraging private investment that stays here and sets the stage for
entrepreneurs to do great things.
We would appreciate your support in selecting tracts 6 and 11.02 as Opportunity Zones in
Bozeman. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
GAL N COUNTY COMMISSION
�r
R. phen ite, Chairman
Joe P. nner ember
Donald F. eifert,M r