Starke County has been selected for some extra help in capitalizing on its Opportunity Zone. Much of the area north of Knox and south of U.S. 30 was designated an Opportunity Zone in 2018. The federal program offers tax incentives for investment in low-income communities.
Now, Starke County’s zone has been selected for Indiana’s Rural Opportunity Zone Initiative. State officials will work with local stakeholders to get community input and then put together and market an investment prospectus. That would detail some of the projects the community would like to see developed and highlight local amenities and possible incentives.
Starke County is one of six areas included in the second group of Rural Opportunity Zone Initiative pilot communities announced this week by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Other program partners include the Purdue Center for Regional Development, Purdue Extension Community Development, and now, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.
Adding the IHCDA to the partnership will help address “a critically important piece of economic development and talent attraction on an individual economic level,” according to Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch.
The initiative is funded by a grant from the USDA Rural Development office.
