From Policy to Possibility: How Opportunity Zones Are Reshaping Communities
In this timely episode, host Bryce Butler welcomes back longtime friend and systems-change innovator Ross Baird, founding partner of Blueprint Local, to discuss the evolving landscape of Opportunity Zones, housing, and economic development. A pioneer in the impact investing space, Ross shares hard-won lessons and hopeful outcomes from over $200 million invested into overlooked communities through a place-based equity strategy.
They dive deep into why relationships over transactions still drive Ross’s investment philosophy, what makes Opportunity Zones uniquely effective (and misunderstood), and how cities like Charlotte, Selma, and Washington, D.C. are seeing real revitalization—not displacement. Ross also gives an insider's look at proposed legislative reforms and offers compelling reasons why everyday people—not just financiers—should care about community investment.
Key Topics Covered:
The Power of Long-Term Relationships in Investing
What Makes Opportunity Zones Unique
Debunking Gentrification Myths
Why Private Capital Moves Faster Than Government
Real Examples from the Field
What's Next for Opportunity Zones
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