Reading, April 20, 2018 − State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) was encouraged by Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement that 300 census tracts across the commonwealth have been nominated as Qualified Opportunity Zones. Qualified Opportunity Zones are a tool for promoting long-term investment in low-income communities.

Six of those zones are in Berks County.

“This would give Reading and West Reading a chance to expand their economic opportunities,” Schwank said. “This would result in enhanced community growth.”

Final approval from the Department of Treasury is expected in May.

The list of nominated tracts, additional data, evaluation criteria, and an interactive map can be found at DCED’s Qualified Opportunity Zones website: https://dced.pa.gov/programs-funding/federal-funding-opportunities/qualified-opportunity-zones/

-30-