AI-Powered Site Selection with OZ Explorer
→ Launch OZ Explorer — The active artificial intelligence-driven platform for identifying sites suitable for Opportunity Zone investments.
The Blue & Orange Mapping Layers
| Layer | Color | Represents |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy Layer | 🟦 Blue | Existing OZ 1.0 zones, demonstrated effective since 2017 |
| High-Distress Candidate | 🟧 Orange | New candidate tracts for OZ 2.0 with an AMI of ≤70% |
When a specific tract is present in both mapping layers — designated as “Double-Eligible” — it represents the most secure long-term investment prospect: having demonstrated success under OZ 1.0 and assured to meet the more stringent requirements of OZ 2.0.
The 70% AMI Distress Threshold
| Geography | Qualifying Income Level |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan tracts | Income level at or below 70% of the median income for the metropolitan area |
| Rural / non-metro tracts | Income level at or below 70% of the statewide median income |
The Orange Layer within OZ Explorer automatically filters out tracts exceeding 70% AMI, thus safeguarding investors against the potential for redesignation.
Transit Scoring
Example: “12 mins to I-95 · 45 mins to Airport · 22 mins to Port”
| Mode Weight | Stabilized | Value-Add |
|---|---|---|
| Location | 30% of total score | 60% of total score |
Census Demographic Layers
| Layer | What It Measures | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime Population | Residents + commuters | Demonstrates the feasibility of retail ventures |
| Disposable Income Density | Spendable dollars/sq mile | Uncovers areas with unapparent financial resources |
| Housing Cost Burden | % renters at 30%+ and 50%+ | Measures the level of hardship for OZ 2.0 qualification |
Predictive Viability Scores (0–100)
| Score | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Workforce Score | The sum of unemployed individuals and the working-age populace within a specified radius |
| Hybrid Investment Score | Stabilized: 40% Financials / 30% Asset Quality / 30% Location — Value-Add: 60% Location / 40% Asset Quality |
| Fit Score | 🟢 Feasible / 🟡 Hazardous / 🔴 Inoperable upon initiation |
The 3 Standard Industry Tests OZ Explorer Scores
| Test | What Is Measured |
|---|---|
| Market Test | Transportation, current development projects, significant institutions |
| Community Test | Housing Cost Burden — renters at 30%+ and 50%+ |
| Policy Test | Capacity for infill development; alignment with state manufacturing and job objectives |
The 20-Minute Hidden Gem Workflow
| Step | Time | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Search & Select | 2 min | Identify a property on the digital map |
| Site Analysis | 3 min | Examine demographics, transportation access, and Opportunity Zone benefits |
| Property Intelligence | 2 min | Investment Score plus AI indicators |
| Incentive Discovery | 5 min | Identify TIF districts, grant opportunities, and state-level initiatives |
| Predictive Selection | 3 min | Tailored radius search incorporating age and income filters |
| Deal Analysis | 2 min | Produce a Fit Score |
| Export | 3 min | Transfer the report to a comparison instrument |
Treasury Data Validates the Scoring Methodology
An evaluation by the U.S. Treasury (OTA Working Paper 123, 2023) using 2018–2020 IRS tax return information verified that investment capital was not directed towards areas of highest distress. Zones that attracted qualified opportunity zone property investments exhibited discernibly superior prior conditions:
| Characteristic | Tracts That Attracted Capital |
|---|---|
| Median household income | Higher than non-invested OZs |
| Educational attainment | Higher |
| Unemployment rate | Lower |
| Pre-designation income growth | Positive trend |
| Pre-designation housing value growth | Positive trend |
| Pre-designation poverty rate | Declining trend |
This precisely aligns with what OZ Explorer’s scoring model emphasizes: forward progress coupled with the extent of distress, rather than solely distress itself. The information from the Treasury substantiates that the 20-minute process uncovers the identical indicators employed by institutional investors for zone selection.