Bayonne Tracts Proposed for Opportunity Zones

Governor Mikie Sherrill submitted two Bayonne census tracts to the U.S. Treasury Department for federal Opportunity Zone consideration.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in City Hall

Weathered brick and clapboard row houses line a quiet city block beside a vacant corner lot under overcast daylight, with young street trees along the sidewalk. — Governor Mikie Sherrill submitted Bayonne Census Tracts 109 and 110 to the U.S. Treasury Department for federal Opportunity Zone designation, which could draw private investment. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Governor Mikie Sherrill proposed Bayonne Census Tracts 109 and 110 for federal Opportunity Zone designation, and Mayor Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski thanked her for the proposal. Ashe-Nadrowski had requested that three Bayonne census tracts be submitted.

Why it matters

Opportunity Zones are low-income census tracts where private investments may be eligible for preferential tax benefits, so designation could draw investment to Bayonne. Ashe-Nadrowski said the tracts offer the most potential for affordable housing and sensible mixed-use development.

Governor Sherrill submitted two of the three tracts requested by Ashe-Nadrowski to the U.S. Treasury Department, which will make the final designation decision through the Internal Revenue Service. The new 10-year Opportunity Zone cycle takes effect January 1, 2027, and the Treasury's decision on these tracts remains pending.

The players

Mikie Sherrill

Mikie Sherrill is the Governor of New Jersey, who proposed the two Bayonne census tracts for federal Opportunity Zone designation.

Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski

Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski is the Mayor of Bayonne, who thanked the governor and had requested that three census tracts be submitted.

The details

Census Tract 109, between Prospect Avenue and Broadway, and Census Tract 110, between Avenue C and Broadway, were submitted to the U.S. Treasury Department. Governors nominate a limited number of areas under the 2017 Opportunity Zone legislation, and investors can place capital into Qualified Opportunity Funds that finance businesses, infrastructure, or housing.

2017: Congress passed the Opportunity Zone legislation.
November 4, 2026: Governor Sherrill proposed the two Bayonne census tracts.
January 1, 2027: A new 10-year Opportunity Zone cycle takes effect.

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Political Context

Opportunity Zones were created by Congress in 2017 as a tax-incentive tool for low-income areas, with governors nominating a limited number of tracts for designation. This Bayonne proposal fits within that framework, with the next 10-year cycle beginning January 1, 2027.

Designation would make the two tracts eligible for private investment with preferential tax benefits, which could affect development and housing options in those neighborhoods. Residents should note that the designation is not yet final and depends on the Treasury Department's decision.

The takeaway

Opportunity Zone designation can steer private investment toward low-income neighborhoods, but the outcome for Bayonne depends on the Treasury Department's final decision on these two tracts.

What happens next

The U.S. Treasury Department will make the final decision on designating the proposed Opportunity Zones, and a new 10-year cycle takes effect January 1, 2027.