[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 93 (Wednesday, June 6, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H4780]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FEDERAL OPPORTUNITY ZONES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Kansas (Mr. Marshall) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, this Congress and this President made pro-
growth policies a top priority since day one. My colleagues and I 
should be very proud that due in part to the policies of this 
Republican Congress, consumer confidence is at an all-time high, 
businesses are optimistic, and our economy is booming. Even The New 
York Times has run out of words to explain and describe how great this 
economy is.
  As families across Kansas receive an average tax break of more than 
$2,000 a year, as well as seeing record wage growth and bonuses, I see 
the excitement growing firsthand throughout my district.
  However, today in particular, I want to highlight one specific aspect 
of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Federal Opportunity Zones, which are 
designed to promote economic development and job creation in 
communities throughout the country. This is where government meets 
private sector business in a very positive way.
  The Treasury Department recently selected 22 opportunity zones in 17 
different counties across the First District of Kansas.
  When a tract is deemed an opportunity zone, it allows taxpayers to 
defer capital gains tax if they invest and prioritize local projects. 
This is a win-win scenario for both investors and communities that will 
spur growth and expansion.
  My good friend, Ashley Hutchinson, in Cloud County, Kansas, said her 
community hopes to use these opportunity zones to recruit new 
businesses to areas in counties like hers that are in great need of 
investment incentives.
  In Manhattan, Kansas, home of the Kansas State University Wildcats, 
the local Chamber is using these opportunity zone programs to 
revitalize and enhance Aggieville, a beloved and historic social 
district very near and dear to my heart.
  In southwest Kansas, municipalities are using the program to spur job 
growth by updating existing buildings for new retail and commercial 
space, as well as attracting housing developments for the region's 
growing workforce.
  In Emporia, Kansas, expansion of the growing pet industry is being 
allowed by these opportunity zones as well.
  Across my district, community leaders and economic development 
departments are excited by the new opportunities these zones will 
deliver to their communities.
  As the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act continues to help existing businesses 
grow and expand, opportunities are starting to rise across the country. 
In Kansas, we are excited about what is to come.
  As a Congressman, I am often asked: What are you doing in Congress? 
What is this Congress doing to help save rural America? These Federal 
Opportunity Zones as well as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are one such 
example.

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