Targeting Opportunity Zones and Other Distressed Communities for Federal Site Locations

The order amends two prior executive orders governing federal facility siting. It updates EO 12072 (1978) to add "qualified opportunity zones" — a census-tract designation created by federal tax law — to the preferred list of locations for federal space, alongside other distressed areas and centralized community business districts. The General Services Administration is directed to implement these updated siting preferences through its acquisition, utilization, and disposal of federally owned and leased space. The preference applies except where cost or security considerations take precedence.

It also amends EO 13006 (1996) to replace "central cities" language with "distressed communities" and to add opportunity zones to the reaffirmed commitment to locate federal facilities in community business districts. Several housekeeping edits are made, including gender-neutral language substitutions and sentence consolidations. The order creates no new enforcement mechanism and remains subject to appropriations and existing legal authority.

The General Services Administration, which manages federal real estate. Local governments and property owners in federally designated Opportunity Zones or other distressed areas who may compete for federal agency leases or facility relocations. Federal agencies seeking new or renewed office space.

Federal facility placement can anchor economic activity in a neighborhood — agencies bring jobs, foot traffic, and contracting. Directing siting preference toward Opportunity Zones and distressed communities channels that activity toward lower-income areas, though the cost and security override limits how binding the preference is in practice.

The General Services Administration already administers federal space acquisition under EO 12072; this order updates the preference criteria GSA applies when evaluating candidate sites. The preference is not absolute — cost and security considerations can override it. No new reporting requirements, timelines, or oversight mechanisms are created. The order is self-executing as an amendment to two existing orders; no rulemaking or separate action plan is required before the updated preference standard takes effect.