From Designation to Deals: Municipal Playbook for Opportunity Zones 2.0 - You Must Login to Register

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 12:00pm - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 1:00pm

Free online webinar for NHMA Members/Associate Members/State Agencies
School Employees: $20
*Non-member village districts, counties, regional planning commissions, or other municipal entities interested in attending NHMA workshops/webinars can contact info@nhmunicipal.org to learn about becoming a member. NHMA reserves the right to restrict access to these webinars.

This webinar is designed specifically for municipal leaders and staff who want to understand how OZ 2.0 works and how to position their communities to turn designation into real projects, private capital, and local tax base growth. Participants will receive a clear, practical overview of Opportunity Zones, lessons learned from New Hampshire’s first designation round, and what is new and improved under OZ 2.0, particularly for rehabilitation, downtown reuse, workforce housing, and job-creating rural projects.

The session is action-oriented and forward-looking. Rather than speculating on state processes, the webinar focuses on what municipalities can do now to reduce uncertainty, prepare credible project pipelines, and develop investor-usable prospectuses ahead of the Governor's 2026 nomination window and designation. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of why readiness matters and concrete steps their community can take to compete for designation and attract long-term investment.

Presented by:

Ericka Canales, founder of Backroads Strategies and Special Projects Manager for both Monadnock Economic Development Corporation and Granite Outdoor Alliance, is a leader in rural economic development, strategic planning, and community building with over 25 years of experience. By leveraging private, state, and federal resources, she has been able to address key issues like housing, childcare, and community revitalization. With a strong background in business and nonprofit leadership, she is committed to fostering strong relationships and collaboration. She holds a master's degree in planning and economic policy.

Michael O’Mara is a nationally recognized strategist in Opportunity Zone investing, through QOF/QOZBs, leveraging more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate while guiding high-net-worth investors through the complexities of tax-advantaged real estate and business investments.

As the founder of Ascension OZ Advisors and a partner in the Opportunity Zone Alliance 2.0, Michael helps fund sponsors design and structure Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs) and Qualified Opportunity Zone Businesses (QOZBs) that deliver both exceptional investor returns and measurable community impact.

At the forefront of the emerging “OZ 2.0” movement, Michael is educating the marketplace regarding the rolling 5-year tax deferrals, rural incentive programs, and strategic 10-year redesignation cycles. His clients range from institutional sponsors and family offices to fund managers and community development entities, all of whom rely on his expertise in compliance, valuation, and deal structuring.

Passionate about aligning wealth preservation with economic revitalization, Michael is especially focused on the upcoming 2026 reset opportunities and guiding investors through the evolving OZ 2.0 landscape. Known for building high-level networks and structuring innovative deals, he bridges profitability with purpose, helping transform overlooked communities into thriving hubs of growth.

When he’s not advising investors, Michael shares his insights on how Opportunity Zones can create transformational wealth while driving lasting social change.