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Home My WebLink About06-23-26 Public Comment - H. Greiner, T. O'Hair, D. Schliem - Public Comment Opportunity Zone Tract 6 From: Jesse DiTommaso To: Bozeman Public Comment Cc: Brit Fontenot Subject: Public Comment Opportunity Zone Tract 6 Date: Tuesday,June 23,2026 8:20:22 AM Attachments: HRDC City of Bozeman_Opportunity Zone LOS.pdf BZN-061826D MT Chamber OZ Tract 6.pdf Bozeman Chamber LOS.pdf Good morning, Attached please find letters of support for the Opportunity Zone item this evening. Thank you, Jesse *Please note the change to my email address. Jesse DiTommaso I City of Bozeman Economic Development I She/Her/Hers C:406.579.24941jesse.ditommaso(@bozemanmt.gov I www.bozeman.net :D HRDC BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY The Honorable Greg Gianforte Governor of Montana State Capitol Helena, MT 59620 RE: Support for Opportunity Zone Designation of Census Tract 6, Bozeman, Montana Dear Governor Gianforte: Human Resource Development Council (HRDC)respectfully submits this letter in support of the designation of Census Tract 6 in Bozeman as a federal Opportunity Zone. As the region's primary community action agency and affordable housing provider, HRDC works every day with individuals and families struggling to remain in the communities where they work. The shortage of affordable housing has become one of the most significant barriers to economic mobility, workforce stability, and long-term community prosperity in Gallatin County. We believe the Opportunity Zone designation for Census Tract 6 would provide a new tool for addressing these challenges by attracting patient, long-term private investment to projects that advance both economic development and community well-being. The intent of the Opportunity Zone program aligns closely with HRDC's mission. The program is designed to encourage private capital investment in communities where strategic development can generate lasting benefits for residents, workers, and local businesses. In Bozeman, those benefits could be substantial. Most importantly, Opportunity Zone designation has the potential to accelerate the development of affordable and workforce housing. Rising land prices, escalating construction costs, and limited financing sources continue to make affordable housing projects difficult to deliver at the scale needed by the community. By encouraging additional private investment, Opportunity Zone incentives can help close financing gaps, improve project feasibility, and support the construction of housing that serves working households across a range of income levels. The designation could also support mixed-use developments that combine housing with commercial and community-serving spaces. Such projects can strengthen neighborhoods by creating opportunities for residents to live closer to employment centers, services, childcare providers, healthcare facilities, and public transportation. This type of development reduces barriers to workforce participation while improving overall quality of life. Beyond housing, Opportunity Zone investment can help stimulate job creation and business growth. New investment in commercial properties, business expansion, entrepreneurship, and redevelopment projects can create both short-term construction employment and long-term permanent jobs. These investments help strengthen local economic resilience while creating opportunities for residents to build financial stability and upward mobility. For HRDC and other community development organizations, Opportunity Zone designation would create opportunities to leverage scarce public resources with private capital. Affordable housing developments frequently require complex financing structures that combine public grants, tax credits, local contributions, philanthropic support, and private investment. Opportunity Zone incentives can attract additional capital to these projects, allowing limited public dollars to serve more households and produce greater community benefit. The designation would also complement ongoing efforts by the City of Bozeman, Gallatin County, HRDC, and numerous community partners to address housing affordability, support workforce retention, and expand economic opportunity. As Bozeman continues to grow, it is critical that investment tools support not only economic expansion but also inclusive growth that benefits residents across income levels. Census Tract 6 presents a meaningful opportunity to advance the goals of the Opportunity Zone program by encouraging investment that produces affordable housing, supports workforce development, strengthens local businesses, creates jobs, and improves access to community-serving amenities. We believe the tract is well-positioned to leverage private investment in ways that generate measurable and lasting public benefit. For these reasons, HRDC strongly encourages the State of Montana to support designating Census Tract 6 as an Opportunity Zone. Thank you for your consideration and for your continued commitment to expanding economic opportunity for Montana communities. SincerelypGrenier I -e Heather President/CEO Human Resource Development Council IX (HRDC) Bozeman, Montana 406.587.4486 hello a thehrdc.org 206 E Griffin Dr Bozeman, MT 59715 HRDC BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY = IMONTANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE June 18, 2026 Dear Governor Gianforte, On behalf of the Montana Chamber of Commerce and our members, we strongly support the designation of Census Tract 6 in Gallatin County as an Opportunity Zone. This designation will provide a valuable tool to attract private investment, support business growth, expand housing opportunities, and significantly strengthen both the regional and statewide economy. Opportunity Zone designation will help attract new sources of private capital to projects that may otherwise face financing challenges. By encouraging long-term investment, the program can support redevelopment, business expansion, infrastructure improvements, and job creation. These investments not only benefit Bozeman and Gallatin County but also contribute to Montana's broader economic competitiveness by supporting business growth, expanding employment opportunities, and increasing the state's capacity to attract and retain investment. The benefits extend beyond new development. Existing businesses and Montana Chamber members stand to gain from increased economic activity, improved infrastructure, expanded housing options for employees, and a stronger workforce. These investments help Montana employers attract and retain talent while creating new opportunities for local businesses to grow and succeed. Census Tract 6 benefits from manufacturing and employment-focused zoning that supports industrial, commercial, technology, and value-added manufacturing uses. Combined with the tract's strategic location and existing infrastructure, these assets create investment-ready opportunities that strengthens key industry sectors, expands the tax base, and creates high-quality jobs that support long-term economic prosperity throughout Montana. The Montana Chamber of Commerce believes Opportunity Zone designation for Census Tract 6 in Bozeman will generate lasting benefits for businesses, residents, and communities across the state by encouraging investment, supporting economic diversification, and reinforcing Montana's position as a competitive place to do business. We appreciate your consideration and strongly support the inclusion of Census Tract 6 as an Opportunity Zone. Sincerely, Todd O'Hair, President & CEO Montana Chamber of Commerce Cbr.r TCmmerc oe June 16, 2026 The Honorable Greg Gianforte Governor of the State of Montana State Capitol 1301 East 6th Avenue Helena, MT 59620 RE: Support for Opportunity Zone Designation in Bozeman, Montana Dear Governor Gianforte, On behalf of the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce and our diverse membership of businesses, employers, and community stakeholders, I am writing to express our strong support for the Opportunity Zone designation in Bozeman, Montana.We believe this designation represents a valuable economic development tool that will help attract long- term private investment, create high-quality jobs, expand housing opportunities,and strengthen the economic vitality of our community and the broader Southwest Montana region. While Bozeman has experienced substantial economic expansion in recent years, challenges remain in ensuring that investment reaches areas with demonstrated economic need and that growth benefits residents and businesses throughout the community.The Opportunity Zone incentive will help bridge financing gaps and encourage the patient capital necessary to support transformative projects that may otherwise be delayed or underfunded. The Opportunity Zone designation will create opportunities for investment in workforce housing, commercial and mixed-use development, business incubation,technology commercialization, and infrastructure improvements.These investments will not only support job creation and business expansion within the tract but will also generate positive economic impacts throughout Gallatin County by creating supply-chain opportunities, retaining skilled workers, and fostering entrepreneurship.The designation aligns closely with the region's long-term economic development goals of promoting innovation, Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce 406.586.5421 2000 Commerce Way,Bozeman,MT 59715 www.bozemanchamber.com info@bozemanchamber.com increasing housing availability, supporting small businesses, and expanding economic opportunities for residents. The Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce believes that Opportunity Zone investment will serve as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and will help leverage the substantial public and private assets already present within the community. By encouraging new investment and development, the designation will strengthen Montana's economy, enhance regional competitiveness, and create lasting benefits for businesses, workers, and families. Thank you for your leadership and consideration of this important opportunity.We respectfully support the Opportunity Zone designation in Bozeman and look forward to working with state and local partners to maximize its positive economic impact. Sincerely, J W. Sch lie m CEO Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce