Helena
is filled with
opportunity.

What are Opportunity Zones?

Opportunity Zones are a new community development tool established by Congress in the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act at the end of 2017. The program seeks to spur economic development and job creation in low-income and rural communities nationwide by providing tax benefits to long-term private investments. In 2018, Governor Steve Bullock nominated 25 areas in Montana for designation as Opportunity Zones. The Helena Opportunity Zone that later received approval is largely located in its historic downtown region.
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Where is the Helena Opportunity Zone?

Helena’s Opportunity Zone is census tract 300490008000. It is known as census tract 8 within Lewis and Clark County. Beginning just north of the railroad tracks near Carroll College, the opportunity zone then stretches south through the heart of Downtown Helena and past Unionvillle. The zone covers much of the downtown area as well as the Great Northern Center.
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Downtown Helena and the rest of the Helena opportunity zone features over 700 businesses, including custom art galleries, one-of-a-kind apparel stores, unique gift shops, sporting goods stores, microbreweries, fine and casual dining and several entertainment venues. In addition, the area offers distinguished and eclectic residential opportunities in revitalized historic locations like the Calwell Building and Placer Building.

By the Numbers

0
Total population of Helena’s Opportunity Zone1
0
Total population of the greater Helena area as of July 20182
$0
Median household income within the Opportunity zone
0%
Percentage of the 2,091 housing units in the area living in poverty
Source: [1] Economic Innovation Group; [2] United States Census Bureau, July 2018.

Connect to Opportunity

For more information on the Helena Opportunity Zones as well as specific opportunities in the area, please use the contact form or contact Brian Obert at the Montana Business Assistance Connection:

[email protected]   (406) 465-0619

Looking Forward

Helena’s Opportunity Zone designation arrived just as the Helena City Commission began moving forward with the creation of an urban renewal tax increment to help bolster Downtown Helena’s future growth. With structures like the historic Power Block building and U.S. Bank building along Last Chance Gulch primed for commercial redevelopment as well as other vacant structures that could be transformed into unique condo or apartment residencies, investment possibilities abound within Helena’s new Opportunity Zone.