Opportunity Zones Program: Important Information for S.C. Communities

The Opportunity Zones program is now permanent, signed into federal law in 2025, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

Commerce officials said that under the updated law, Opportunity Zones will be redesignated every 10 years, and several aspects of the program’s requirements and benefits have been modernized to support sustained, targeted investment. 

S.C. Commerce, on behalf of the state of South Carolina, is requesting input to guide the nomination of eligible census tracts.

Under the revised program, Gov. Henry McMaster can nominate up to 25 percent of South Carolina’s eligible census tracts for Opportunity Zone designation. While some tracts designated under the existing program will be eligible for redesignation, others may not meet updated criteria, according to state officials.

To ensure the state’s nominations reflect local priorities, S.C. Commerce invites stakeholders, community leaders and the public to submit recommendations for census tracts within their communities.  

Learn more about Opportunity Zones and submit a census tract for consideration by June 15, 2026. 

Communities can participate in an Opportunity Zones webinar at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 21. 

For questions or more information, email OpportunityZones@sccommerce.com.