Opportunity Zones 2.0
Instructions for the Local Authority Recommendation Form Below is a PDF version of the Local Authority Recommendation Form with instructions. Please note that this document is for instructional purposes only. Instructions are stated in red text.
Please note that the Local Authority Recommendation Form must be completed in ONE sitting. The form does not include a "save" function, so applicants should be prepared to complete and submit all required information during a single session. The timing of a submission will have no impact on the consideration of the recommendation.
Questions with * will require a response.
To fill out the Local Authority Recommendation Form:
CLICK HERE (https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/4ykYDGAjba) Completed forms must be submitted by 11:59 pm on July 25, 2026.
Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.
Local Authority Recommendation Form
This form is to be completed by an authorized representative of a city/municipality, county, special district, regional joint powers authority, council of governments, or tribal government within California. Only census tracts that appear on the official Qualified Opportunity Zones Eligible Tract list by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/tax-policy/data-transparency/qualified-opportunity-zones) may be recommended. You may also consult interactive mapping tools provided by organizations such as Novogradac (https://www.policymap.com/embed/widget/12163/DNAOEK4MOFUIAGJCCEX7MVRX9IRWBIKG) and the Economic Innovation Group (https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/c473c71f0704408f934fbdc342caf1f1) to explore eligible tracts.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN:
- Please note that this form must be completed in ONE sitting. The form does not include a "save"
function, so a
pplicants should be prepared to complete and submit all required information during a single sessi
on. The timing of a submission will have no impact on the consideration of the recommendation. - Re
view the latest Frequently Asked Questions document linked on the GO-Biz Opportunity Zones Program web
site (https://business.ca.gov/resources/infrastructure-development/opportunity-zones-in- california/)
- Re
view the Local Authority Recommendation Form Instructions (this document).
Submit one form pe
r eligible census tract being recommended. Completed forms must be submitted by 11:59 pm on July 25, 2026. Incomplete forms and submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.
Please submit all questions regarding this form to https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/CNmhbGAkSN. Submitted questions will be reviewed and incorporated into future FAQ updates, as appropriate. A direct response will not be provided.
Continues on the next page.
1 ATTACHMENT 2
Census Tract Identification
1. *Select the County this census tract is located within:
• Drop-down selection
2. *Recommended Census Tract:
• Text box (limited to a numerical value only)
Please include the full 11-digit Census Tract GEOID (Geographic Identifier). For example, for census tract 06001400100, you would type in “06001400100”. Census tract numbers that are incomplete or unrecognizable will not be considered.
3. List any California-based federally or non-federally recognized tribes within this census tract:
• Text box
Please separate each tribal entity with a semicolon (;) Recommending Entity
4. *Recommending Entity Name:
• Text box
5. *Recommending Entity Type: (select one)
• City/Municipality
• County
• Special District
• Regional Joint Powers Authority
• Council of Governments
• Tribal Governments
6. *Recommending Entity Address: Street Address
• Text box
7. *Recommending Entity Address: City
• Text box
Please include the city name as you would in an address. For example, for the City of Sacramento, you would type “Sacramento”.
8. *Recommending Entity Address: Zip Code
• Text box
Continues on the next page.
2 9. *Recommending Entity Website:
• Text box
Authorized Submitter Contact Information
A submitter must occupy a position within the recommending entity and be authorized to complete this form on the entity’s behalf. Outside consultants are not eligible to submit a recommendation. For example, any city employee authorized by the city may submit a recommendation on the city’s behalf.
10. *Submitter First Name:
• Text box
11. *Submitter Last Name:
• Text box
12. *Submitter Job Title:
• Text box
13. *Submitter Email Address:
• Text box
14. *Submitter Phone Number:
• Text box
Census Tract Questions
15. *Is there currently committed public investment (local, state, or federal) in the census tract you are recommending?
• Yes
• No
The funding must already be "committed." For example, if a jurisdiction is planning to apply for future public funding, but has not yet secured it, the answer would be “No.” Examples of local investment may include, but are not limited to, business improvement districts, benefit assessment districts, or local funds directed toward infrastructure and public improvement (development impact fees, local and sales use taxes, general obligation bond measures, or enterprise revenue bonds). Please DO NOT include tax increment financing (TIF) districts in this response, as Questions 20-22 specifically address TIF districts.
Continues on the next page.
3 16. IF YES TO #15: List the funding source(s), approximate date of secured investment, and a general description of the investment, including the dollar amount:
• Text box
Please separate each funding source with a semicolon (;). For example: Funding Source Name, Date, Brief Description; Funding Source Name, Date, Brief Description.
If the local investment is based on any of the examples listed in the instructions for Question 15, please include the approximate amount of annual revenue collected.
17. *Does this census tract include a site identified in a Housing Element approved by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for affordable housing and/or does it support the implementation of Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) goals? • Yes
• No
Please see the Housing Element Download Tool (https://www.hcd.ca.gov/housing-open-data-tools/housing- element-download-tool) for the latest Housing Elements approved by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
18. *Does this census tract include one or more shovel-ready sites as generally defined by the GO-Biz "Business Ready Sites" Program?
• Yes
• No
Shovel-ready sites are NOT required to be on the GO-Biz Business Ready Sites tool. Shovel-ready sites may also be existing buildings that are ready for substantial improvements. Shovel-ready sites generally include the following factors (sites are NOT required to have all factors):
• All utilities (water, sewer, electric power, telecommunications, etc.) are at the site (or within 500ft) or a formal plan must be in place to extend them to the site • Minimum of 500 kw available electrical service, 3 phase power supply, 480 voltage • Site must be zoned and fully entitled for headquarters, R&D, and/or industrial manufacturing projects • Grading completed - soil characteristics disclosed and groundwork completed • Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) certified, with no liabilities (soil/cleanup or any other remediation)
19. IF YES TO #18: Please list the site address(es):
• Text box
Please separate each address with a semicolon (;). For example: 123 Main Street, City, Zip Code; 132 Second Street, City Zip Code. Incomplete or false addresses will not be considered.
Continues on the next page.
4 20. *Is the census tract located within an existing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District (such as an EIFD, CRIA, or CRD)?
• Yes, the TIF District is Fully Formed
• Yes, the TIF District is in Process
• No
A TIF District is considered to be “fully formed” if the district’s governing public financing authority (PFA) has officially enacted a resolution of formation and adopted the final infrastructure financing plan (IFP). A TIF District is considered to be “in process” if the local government has adopted a formal resolution of intention to the establishment.
If the census tract is located within a different type of financing district, please include that information in Questions 15 &16.
21. IF FULLY FORMED OR IN PROCESS TO #20: Provide the name of the TIF District(s):
• Text box
Please separate each TIF District with a semicolon (;).
22. IF NO TO #20: Are you exploring or considering the formation of a TIF District that will encompass this census tract within the next 6 months?
• Yes
• No
23. *Has the governing body of the recommending entity approved this recommendation via one of the following options?
• Proclamation
• Record of Action Taken
• Resolution
• No
24. IF PROCLAMATION / RECORD / RESOLUTION TO #23: Provide the relevant proclamation, record of action taken, or resolution link:
• Text box
25. List community and/or regional partners in support of this recommendation:
• Text box
Please separate each partner’s name with a semicolon (;). Letters of support will be accepted during the public comment period in August. Please note that letters of support are not required but are encouraged as a means to demonstrate stakeholder engagement.
Continues on the next page.
5 26. *Select the following strategic sectors, as defined by the California Jobs First State Blueprint, that this census tract may support (Select as many as apply):
• Aerospace & Defense (Aircraft, Shipbuilding, Space, Defense & Satellites) • Childcare
• Clean Economy (Batteries, Wind, Solar, ZEV, Critical Minerals, Hydrogen, Carbon Management) • Creative Economy
• Education & Skilled Workforce
• Financial & Professional Services
• Healthcare
• High-Tech (Semiconductors & Microelectronics, Hardware, Software & Services, Artificial Intelligence, Fusion, Robotics, Quantum)
• Housing
• Infrastructure (Broadband, Transportation Infrastructure, Transmission & Distribution, Water) • Life Sciences (Medtech, Pharma/biotech)
• Manufacturing (Advanced and/or Precision)
• Tourism & Outdoor Recreation
• Transport & Logistics
• Working Lands & Water (Agricultural Production, Food Processing, Agtech & Farm Equipment, Bioeconomy, Blue economy/tech)
• None of the above
Please note that the sectors are listed in alphabetical order with no indication of prioritization. A census tract may support a strategic sector if it has specific development projects (e.g., industrial parks, business incubators & accelerators, research & innovation hubs, etc.) that attract or expand one of the Jobs First strategic sectors.
27. Please provide a brief description (max 1,000 characters, including spaces. approximately 200 words) of how this census tract will advance the selected sectors with relevant examples:
• Text box
28. Please provide a brief description (max 1000 characters, including spaces, approximately 200 words) of how this census tract will incentivize and/or appeal to public and/or private investment opportunities:
• Text box
29. Submit one form per census tract. If you are nominating multiple census tracts, please list all census tracts in order of preference:
• Text Box
Please answer this question consistently for each form you submit. Separate each census tract number with a semicolon (;) and indicate preference by listing the census tracts in order of most preferred to least preferred. List the census tracts in the same order on each form you submit.
Continues on the next page.
6 Certification and Signature
Certification Statement
I hereby certify, on behalf of the submitting jurisdiction, that the information contained in this form is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that submitting inaccurate or misleading information may result in disqualification. I am authorized by the governing body of my jurisdiction to submit this recommendation.
30. *Submitter Full Name:
• Text box
31. *Date of Submission:
• Text box
End of the form.
7