Madison County economic development director urges London council to back Opportunity Zone nomination for downtown tract

Savannah Andrews, Madison County's executive director of economic development, told the London City Council that the county's downtown census tract is eligible for federal Opportunity Zone benefits and asked the council to record formal support to improve the tract's chances of selection.

Andrews said the Opportunity Zone program, created under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and recently extended in 2025, allows investors to receive capital-gains tax benefits for long-term investments in designated low-income census tracts. She said the program's 2.0 rules give enhanced weight to rural communities and that London's tract is the only eligible census tract in Madison County.

"Part of showing that you're in support ... is just kind of saying that there's a letter of support that the London wants to ... write," Andrews told the council, and she offered to work with the mayor and council to assemble supporting materials. She warned of a tight timeline, saying "there is a little bit of sense of urgency because there's a deadline ... the federal designation has to be in by September," and noted the state portal opens June 10 with a 30-day turnaround.

Andrews explained the local role: the federal program relies on state-level recommendations, and states look to local jurisdictions for evidence of momentum (zoning changes, comprehensive-plan language, existing community reinvestment activity). She said One Columbus and a regional consulting team will help package statistics and documentation for state submission.

Council members responded positively in remarks recorded later in the meeting. A city official thanked Andrews for the presentation and said staff would work with her and the mayor on next steps. Andrews said she would supply the council with the specific address for the state submission once she confirms whom the state wants letters addressed to.

Next steps: the council will consider whether to draft a letter or a formal resolution of support; Andrews will follow up with information on who the state will accept as recipients and on the materials the state portal will require.