FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McMinnville and Yamhill County Selected for Opportunity Zones 2.0

Oct 30, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 29, 2026

McMinnville and Yamhill County Selected for Opportunity Zones 2.0

Four Yamhill County census tracts selected through regional collaboration, creating new opportunities for investment, business growth, and job creation

McMINNVILLE, Ore. — October 29, 2026 — Four areas in Yamhill County, including two in McMinnville, have been selected for Oregon's Opportunity Zones 2.0 program, creating new opportunities to attract private investment, support local businesses, and encourage long-term economic growth.

The designations, announced by Business Oregon on October 29, follow a highly competitive statewide selection process. Of Oregon's 229 eligible census tracts, Business Oregon received 106 applications, with 58 tracts ultimately designated by Governor Tina Kotek. The selection of four Yamhill County tracts represents a significant achievement for the region.

Opportunity Zones provide federal tax incentives to encourage long-term private investment in designated communities. The new designations take effect January 1, 2027, and remain in place through December 31, 2036.

The four designated areas in Yamhill County are:

McMinnville — Census Tract 41071030601: Includes McMinnville Municipal Airport, McMinnville Landing along Highway 18, and the Northeast Industrial District, home to many of the community's manufacturing and industrial businesses. Nominated by the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership (MEDP).

McMinnville — Census Tract 41071030802: Includes the area around Linfield University's Booth Bend property in southern McMinnville. Nominated by the City of McMinnville.

Newberg — Census Tract 41071030202: Located in the Newberg area of northeastern Yamhill County. Nominated by the City of Newberg.

Grand Ronde — Census Tract 41071030502: Located in the Grand Ronde area of western Yamhill County. Nominated by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon.

All four areas received rural Opportunity Zone designations.

Regional Collaboration Helps Secure Four Designations

The Yamhill County Economic Development Alliance, led by McMinnville Mayor Kim Morris and Yamhill County Commissioner Kit Johnston, coordinated a regional response to the Opportunity Zone nomination process. The effort brought together communities and economic development partners to support nominations across Yamhill County, strengthening the region's competitiveness in a highly selective statewide process.

The Alliance's collaborative effort included the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments, MEDP, the McMinnville Area and Chehalem Valley Chambers of Commerce, SEDCOR, and other regional partners. At the local level, the McMinnville Economic Vitality Leadership Council (MEVLC) helped coordinate and support McMinnville's two nominations.

The effort also benefited from guidance and support from Arthur Chaput with Business Oregon and Beth Wytoski with the Governor's Regional Solutions team, along with advocacy from State Representative Lucetta Elmer on behalf of McMinnville and Yamhill County.

"I'm thrilled that Yamhill County had four projects selected and that two of those are in McMinnville. This designation has the potential to encourage private development and attract investment to our community," said McMinnville Mayor Kim Morris. "I sincerely appreciate the teamwork that went into these applications and for those that advocated for our community."

Yamhill County Commissioner Kit Johnston added: "Securing four Opportunity Zone designations is a meaningful achievement for Yamhill County and a strong example of regional collaboration in action. By working together across communities, we are better positioned to attract private investment, support business growth, and create jobs that strengthen our local economy."

New Investment Opportunities for McMinnville

McMinnville's two designated areas offer complementary opportunities for industrial development, business expansion, workforce development, and innovation.

Census Tract 306.01 includes McMinnville Municipal Airport, the Northeast Industrial District, and McMinnville Landing along Highway 18. The area connects McMinnville's established manufacturing and aviation industries with land planned for future employment and industrial development.

McMinnville Landing, an approximately 190-acre area near the airport, is a focus of local planning for advanced manufacturing, research, and innovation-driven businesses. The Opportunity Zone designation provides an additional tool to attract private investment as the community works to prepare sites and infrastructure for future development.

Census Tract 308.02 includes Linfield University's Booth Bend property, an approximately 40-acre site in southern McMinnville. The property presents opportunities to connect education, workforce training, research, and entrepreneurship with the needs of local employers and emerging industries.

Together, these designations could help McMinnville attract new businesses, support the expansion of existing employers, and create additional career opportunities for residents.

An Additional Tool for Long-Term Economic Growth

Opportunity Zones encourage eligible private investment through federal tax incentives available through Qualified Opportunity Funds. The updated program establishes a permanent framework with new designation rounds every 10 years, additional incentives for qualifying rural investments, and enhanced reporting requirements.

The new Opportunity Zone designations become effective January 1, 2027, and remain in effect through December 31, 2036.

While Opportunity Zone designation can make projects more attractive to investors, successful development will continue to depend on infrastructure, financing, market demand, and applicable approvals.

MEDP will work with businesses, property owners, investors, and regional partners to identify opportunities that align with McMinnville's economic development priorities.

Businesses, property owners, and investors interested in learning more about McMinnville's designated areas are encouraged to contact MEDP at 503-474-6814 or info@McMinnvilleBusiness.com.

The complete list of designated areas and additional program information are available on Business Oregon's Opportunity Zone webpage.

For more background information, read the MEDP Spark enews article published April 2026.

About MEDP

Celebrating 20 years in 2026, the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership supports economic vitality through business retention and expansion, business attraction, workforce development, and innovation and entrepreneurship, with a focus on traded-sector business and industry.

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