Targeting Opportunity Zones and Other Distressed Communities for Federal Site Locations

In simple terms

This executive order amends two existing orders to give preference to qualified Opportunity Zones and other distressed communities when selecting locations for federal facilities, provided cost and security considerations are satisfied. It directs the General Services Administration to prioritize these economically disadvantaged areas in federal real estate decisions.

Federal Register Open PDF 85 FR 52879

Record & deadlines

Aug 24, 2020Signed
Signed by the President
Aug 27, 2020FR published
Published in the Federal Register · 85 FR 52879
Federal Register PDF

Key directives

Amend EO 12072 to establish preference for qualified opportunity zones, other distressed areas, and centralized community business areas in federal space acquisition
Amend EO 13006 to replace 'central cities' with 'distressed communities' and add Opportunity Zone preference
GSA Administrator to develop programs implementing revised policies
Delete gendered language ('his') from EO 12072
Delete Section 1-201(f) of EO 12072

Who is ordered

GSA Administrator · GSA

Prior policy

amendExecutive Order 12072 (Federal Space Management, 1978)
amendExecutive Order 13006 (Locating Federal Facilities on Historic Properties in our Nation's Central Cities, 1996)
otherSection 1-201(f) of Executive Order 12072

Related orders

What to expect

Immediate

Preference policy takes effect for federal site selection decisions
GSA Administrator must implement revised space acquisition programs

Near term (90d)

GSA to adjust site selection criteria and processes
Agencies to apply new preference in pending lease renewals and acquisitions

Long term

Potential shift in federal facility footprint toward designated zones
Economic development effects in Opportunity Zones from increased federal presence

Risks & tensions

No enforcement mechanism or metrics specified; effectiveness depends on GSA discretion
'Where cost and security considerations take precedence' creates broad exception that may limit actual use
No funding or staffing commitments attached; 'subject to availability of appropriations' in Sec. 3(b)
Vague definition of 'other distressed areas' beyond statutory Opportunity Zone criteria
Potential tension between decentralizing to zones and operational efficiency of federal workforce