KINGS BEACH, Calif. — A collaborative effort among Placer County, the North Tahoe Community Alliance and regional partners has helped secure a federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 designation for Kings Beach, creating new opportunities to attract private investment, support local businesses and advance housing and economic development in North Lake Tahoe.
The designation is part of a federal initiative that provides tax incentives to encourage private investment in economically distressed communities. The program is intended to help cities and towns attract the capital needed to support development, expand economic opportunities and strengthen long-term economic vitality.
Securing the designation was a coordinated effort among Placer County, NTCA, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the Tahoe Prosperity Center, elected officials and local community leaders. Through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and regional economic development initiatives, these partners worked together to demonstrate Kings Beach’s potential for investment and sustainable growth.
“Kings Beach is a wonderful community, and this designation provides a new opportunity to attract reinvestment in housing, local businesses and commercial improvements,” said Placer County District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson. “It gives us another tool to help turn that potential into reality through federal tax incentives. I’m encouraged that both the state and federal governments have recognized the need for investment in Kings Beach, as well as the City of Auburn, which also received the Opportunity Zone 2.0 designation. These designations will help encourage revitalization efforts and add jobs to our local economy.”
The original federal Opportunity Zones program was established in 2017. Opportunity Zones 2.0 was created through federal legislation signed into law July 4, 2025, making the program a permanent part of the federal tax code and introducing several enhancements designed to encourage long-term investment.
Along with Kings Beach and Auburn, Lincoln and Roseville also received Opportunity Zone 2.0 designations.
“This designation is tremendous news for Kings Beach and its business community,” said North Tahoe Community Alliance President and CEO Tony Kawowski. “The NTCA remains committed to strengthening our town centers, and this designation provides another potential tool to attract investment and support the future of Kings Beach.”
The designation is expected to increase Kings Beach’s visibility among investors and developers interested in projects that align with community priorities, including workforce and attainable housing, small business growth, commercial corridor revitalization, job creation and economic diversification. It also complements ongoing efforts to strengthen the Kings Beach town center, improve economic conditions and enhance quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors.
The designation could also support redevelopment opportunities envisioned in the Tahoe Basin Area Plan, which was approved in 2017 and most recently amended in 2025.
Projects which involve mixed-use redevelopment, and are envisioned to revitalize underutilized properties, expand housing opportunities, strengthen neighborhood connections and create a more active, walkable town center will benefit from this program.
The inclusion of communities from North Lake Tahoe to West Placer follows years of collaboration and efforts made by regional leaders to establish long-term prosperity throughout Placer County.
Learn more about the Opportunity Zone 2.0 program: https://dof.ca.gov/Forecasting/Demographics/california-opportunity-zones/.
Learn more about Placer’s Economic Development Office: https://www.placer.ca.gov/1373/Why-Placer.
Learn more about North Tahoe Community Alliance:
https://www.northtahoecommunityalliance.com/