Exclusive Interview with Keith Carswell: What to Expect for the 2nd Opportunity Zone Summit

Today we speak with Keith A. Carswell, Miami’s Chief Economic Development Officer at the Department of Economic Innovation & Development, leading efforts to drive investment and growth through Opportunity Zones—federally designated areas incentivizing investment in underserved communities. Miami’s 23 zones span 25.93% of its census tracts, impacting 110,000 residents. On April 11, he hosts the 2nd Opportunity Zone Summit at the Pérez Art Museum, featuring Mayor Francis Suarez and HUD Secretary Scott Turner. The summit, aligned with Trump administration policies, will address real estate, jobs, and revitalization, showcasing successes and fostering collaboration. We’ll explore Keith’s vision for Miami’s economic future.

2nd Opportunity Zone Summit

Inspiration and Alignment with Role

1. Mr. Carswell, what inspired you to organize the 2nd Opportunity Zone Summit on April 11 at the Pérez Art Museum, and how does it align with your role as Chief Economic Development Officer for Miami?

“Keith: As Chief Economic Development Officer, my focus is on driving investment, job creation, and community revitalization through strategic public-private partnerships. The 2nd Annual Opportunity Zone Summit is an extension of this mission, providing a platform for investors, developers, and policymakers to engage in high-impact discussions and deal-making that will shape Miami’s economic future. This summit will also highlight how Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs), when leveraged alongside Opportunity Zone tax incentives, can be transformative. Through targeted investment strategies, CRAs have played a critical role in revitalizing underserved neighborhoods, attracting private capital, and ensuring long-term economic sustainability. Hosting the event at the Pérez Art Museum—one of Miami’s cultural landmarks—symbolizes our commitment to inclusive growth and innovation.”

2. What are the primary objectives of the summit, and what outcomes do you hope to achieve for Miami’s community and investors?

“The summit is designed to achieve the following objectives:

• Attract capital to Miami’s 23 Opportunity Zones, which cover nearly 26% of the city’s census tracts.
• Showcase successful Opportunity Zone projects that are creating jobs and revitalizing communities.
• Highlight the role of CRAs in accelerating OZ development through public-private partnerships.
• Facilitate new investment partnerships between developers, private equity firms, and government agencies.
• Ensure that Opportunity Zones drive economic growth while prioritizing community impact.

A key focus for the summit is the Community-Centered Development in Opportunity Zones panel, moderated by District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo, Chairman of the Omni CRA. This discussion will showcase developers supported by CRAs and how combining CRA resources with OZ tax benefits can create sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Ultimately, our goal is to facilitate real investment opportunities that generate long-term wealth, business expansion, and community revitalization.”

3. With 23 Opportunity Zones in Miami, how do you see these zones contributing to the city’s economic development, and what unique opportunities do they present?

“Miami’s Opportunity Zones represent some of the most strategically positioned investment areas in the country, offering the following advantages:

1. High-growth potential in real estate, infrastructure, and business expansion.
2. Tax incentives that make Miami even more attractive to national and global investors.
3. A diverse, fast-growing economy, fueled by tech, finance, trade, and tourism.
4. Strong CRA partnerships, ensuring that investments align with community needs.

These zones serve as an economic engine, unlocking capital to build affordable housing, create jobs, and drive innovation in historically underserved communities. By leveraging both OZ benefits and CRA resources, Miami is positioning itself as a model for equitable, high-impact economic development.”

2nd Opportunity Zone Summit: Key Speakers and Federal Influence

4. The summit features Mayor Francis Suarez and HUD Secretary Scott Turner as speakers. What unique perspectives do they bring, and how will their involvement elevate the event’s impact?

“Mayor Francis Suarez has been instrumental in positioning Miami as a global financial hub, attracting venture capital, technology firms, and institutional investors to the city. His leadership in making Miami the ‘Capital of Capital’ underscores how public-private collaboration can drive Opportunity Zone success. HUD Secretary Scott Turner brings federal expertise on how Opportunity Zones can align with national housing, urban development, and community investment priorities. His insights will help attendees understand available federal resources, regulatory updates, and long-term OZ policy strategies. Their participation ensures that attendees gain both a local and national perspective on how OZs, CRAs, and federal policies can work together to create transformational economic change.”

5. Given the summit’s alignment with the Trump administration’s economic zoning policies, how does this federal connection influence your strategy, and what benefits do you anticipate for Miami?

“The Opportunity Zone initiative was designed as a bipartisan tool to incentivize long-term private investment in underserved communities. Regardless of administration, our strategy remains focused on the following priorities:

1. Maximizing federal incentives to attract high-quality investment.
2. Ensuring that Miami’s OZ projects align with national economic priorities.
3. Leveraging Miami’s status as a financial hub to attract domestic and international investors.

With the integration of CRA resources, Miami is taking this strategy a step further by layering incentives and public funding mechanisms to support both real estate and business development in OZ communities. By combining federal OZ tax benefits with CRA-backed financing, we are creating a powerful model for urban revitalization that other cities can replicate.”

Opportunity Zones Summit 2025: Hosted by City of Miami’s Office of Economic Innovation and Development

Future Vision and Participation

6. Looking beyond the summit, what are your plans for further advancing Opportunity Zones in Miami, and how do you envision the city evolving through these initiatives?

“Beyond the summit, our focus is on the following initiatives:

• Expanding access to capital for developers and entrepreneurs launching OZ-based businesses.
• Strengthening public-private partnerships, particularly with CRAs and institutional investors.
• Enhancing infrastructure and smart city initiatives within OZs to attract next-generation industries.
• Developing long-term workforce initiatives to ensure that Miami residents benefit from new investment.

By aligning Opportunity Zones with CRA strategies, we envision Miami’s OZs evolving into thriving centers for innovation, commerce, and sustainable community development. This approach ensures that prosperity is shared across all communities, not just within high-growth investment zones.”

7. For those interested in attending the Opportunity Zone Summit, can you share where and how guests can register to participate in this event?

Keith: “Absolutely! Those interested in attending the Miami 2025 Opportunity Zone Summit can register at [https://eidmiami.org/opportunity-zone-summit/f]. Event details are as follows:

📍 Date: April 11, 2025
📍 Location: Pérez Art Museum, Miami
🎤 Featuring: Mayor Francis Suarez, HUD Secretary Scott Turner, and top investors, developers, and policymakers

This is a must-attend event for those looking to invest, innovate, and collaborate in shaping Miami’s economic future! ✅”

Warm regards,
Keith