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Meuser Hosts Successful White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council Opportunity Zone Tour and Roundtable

July 8, 2019

TAMAQUA, Pa. — Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) today hosted Scott Turner, Executive Director for the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, on a tour of Tamaqua's Opportunity Zones. Other President Trump appointees in attendance included: Michelle Christian and Elmo Rinaldi with the Small Business Administration, Joe DeFelice with U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Joyce Haas with the General Services Administration, and Curt Coccodrilli with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Elected officials who attended included: Pennsylvania State Senator David Argall, Pennsylvania State Representative Jerry Knowles, and Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage.

During two roundtable discussions with Tamaqua-area leaders, investors, and developers, the group participated in productive conversations regarding the Opportunity Zones initiative, progress made thus far, and ways to improve the program.

"Created by the Trump Administration's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, an Opportunity Zone is a region that attracts private investment by utilizing significant tax incentives. Tamaqua is one of 10 Opportunity Zones in the Ninth District that will receive these benefits," said Congressman Meuser. "I would like to thank Scott Turner for coming to Tamaqua to facilitate these roundtable discussions. Today we took a much-needed step in the right direction to foster economic revitalization. It is one of my top priorities to promote growth and opportunity in our state. We discussed unleashing the full economic potential of our district through the Opportunity Zones program, which will lead to more jobs and long-term investment."

"I enjoyed discussing the Opportunity Zones initiative and look forward to its continued success in Schuylkill County and across the state of Pennsylvania," said Senator Argall. "The program will help to spark economic development and job creation by encouraging investment throughout this district."