Targeting Opportunity Zones and Other Distressed Communities for Federal Site Locations
This executive order directs federal agencies to prioritize locating federal facilities and acquiring space in Qualified Opportunity Zones and other distressed communities, as defined by the tax code, when meeting federal space needs. It amends two previous orders to embed this preference into federal site-location decisions, with the aim of boosting economic development and efficiency in how the government uses space. The General Services Administration (GSA) is tasked with developing programs to implement these policies through the acquisition, utilization, and disposal of federal space. The order also clarifies that, if no suitable site exists in these prioritized areas, consideration may extend to other sites in historic districts or properties, consistent with existing historic-property policies. It states that the order does not create legal rights and remains subject to applicable laws and appropriations.
Key Points
- 1Preference in federal site selection: When meeting federal space needs, cost and security considerations permitting, the government should give preference to qualified Opportunity Zones, other distressed areas, and centralized community business areas.
- 2Role of the General Services Administration: The Administrator of General Services must develop programs to implement these preferences and to efficiently select, acquire, manage, and dispose of federal space in line with the new policy.
- 3Amendments to prior orders: The order alters Executive Order 12072 (Federal Space Management) to incorporate these geographic priorities and refines relevant language about space management and administrations.
- 4Amendments to Executive Order 13006: The order expands the focus to distressed communities beyond central cities, codifies the emphasis on locating facilities in Opportunity Zones and other distressed areas, and adjusts language related to historic properties and site considerations.
- 5General provisions and constraints: The policy is to be implemented in accordance with law and subject to appropriations; it does not create new legal rights or entitlements against the United States or its agencies.