SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah — Eleven areas in Salt Lake County are in line for new investment. Gov. Spencer Cox has recommended the areas to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for the second round of federal Opportunity Zones, a program that encourages private investment in communities that need it most.
“Community building in all neighborhoods is vital, and this program provides incentives for critical private investments in housing and jobs in key areas,” Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said. “I look forward to seeing new dollars in these high-need areas of the County.”
Salt Lake County’s Economic Development team worked with local cities to identify areas most in need of investment. The team then worked with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) to recommend tracts that fit both local and statewide goals.
| City | Area | Census Tract number |
| Salt Lake City | Former Bees minor league baseball stadium, between State Street and I-15 | Tract 1029 |
| South Salt Lake | Between State Street and Jordan River, between 2100 South and roughly 3300 South | Tract 1115 |
| Millcreek City | Millcreek City Center | Tract 1118.02 |
| Murray City | Intermountain Medical Center, Murray Central Business District | Tract 1121.01 |
| Midvale City | Central Midvale between State Street and I-15 | Tract 1124.04 |
| Salt Lake City | Area near the proposed major league baseball stadium | Tract 1027.02 |
| Sandy City | Historic Sandy and property near America First Field and the Mountain America Expo Center | Tract 1127 |
| West Valley City | Area around the Maverik Center arena | Tract 1133.12 |
| Taylorsville | Fore Lakes golf course and mobile home development | Tract 1135.14 |
| Salt Lake City | East of downtown Salt Lake City between South Temple and 400 South | Tract 1021 |
| Salt Lake City, Magna City | Historic Magna Main Street, Utah Inland Port project area, northwest Salt Lake City | Tract 1139.06 |
See a map of Utah’s nominated census tracts here.
About Opportunity Zones
Congress created the Opportunity Zone tax program in 2017 to spur development in low-income areas. Investors who meet program requirements can defer and reduce federal capital gains taxes. Governors nominate areas; the U.S. Treasury certifies them.
Salt Lake County’s first round, 15 tracts from 2017 to 2026, helped drive residential growth in South Salt Lake, industrial investment in the Utah Inland Port, and mixed-use development downtown and along the North Temple TRAX corridor.
Congress made the program permanent in 2025 with a new 10-year cycle. This second round runs Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2036.
Statewide, 147 areas qualified for this round. Federal law only allows Utah to nominate 25% of them, or 37 areas total, 11 of which are in Salt Lake County. Gov. Cox has sent his recommendations to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which is expected to certify the new Opportunity Zones in December.
About Salt Lake County Economic Development
Salt Lake County Economic Development, a division within the County’s Office of Regional Development, works with cities, regional partners, and businesses to promote job growth and attract private investment, from local brownfields assistance to large-scale redevelopment projects.