London official pitches Opportunity Zone designation for downtown and asks council for local support

Savannah Andrews, the county's recently hired executive director of economic development, told the London City Council she is asking the city to back a nomination that could steer private capital to downtown. "It's a federal designation...it basically allows for investors to get a bigger bang for their buck in investment dollars through capital gains," Andrews said during public comment, and she urged council to consider a formal letter or resolution of support.

Andrews told council there is only one eligible census tract in Madison County, concentrated in the downtown area, and that the U.S. program (reauthorized and modified in 2025) includes enhanced incentives for rural communities. She described the local role as gathering supporting materialszoning changes, the comprehensive plan, and evidence of existing investmentso the state and federal selectors can see London is prepared. "Part of showing that you're in support...is just kind of saying that there's a letter of support that the London...council wants to write," Andrews said.

Council members and staff discussed what form of support the city should provide. Andrews cautioned there is a short timeline: the state portal opens June 10 with a 30-day window for submissions and the federal selection process requires materials to be in by September. She offered to work with the mayor and city staff to compile a package if council agrees to a nominal declaration or resolution of support.

A city official present responded positively to the request, saying the designation could complement local tools already in place to spur downtown revitalization. Council did not vote on a resolution at the meeting; Andrews asked for a "temperature check" and said she would return with draft language if council preferred a resolution rather than a simple letter.

The next procedural step, according to Andrews, is for staff to confirm the correct state offices to address and for the city to decide whether to draft a letter or pass a formal resolution before the state submission window closes.

What to watch next: council may place a draft resolution or letter on a future meeting agenda for formal action prior to the state portal deadline.