Raise funds to invest in Opportunity Zones

[Tammi Bieniek]

Hello, I recently was listening to BP podcast about OZ, and decided to research a building my daughter has a lease option for. I just found out doing research that it’s in a OZ.   The lease/option is up soon and we are going to try to get the seller to seller finance, but have not started the conversations yet.

My idea was to build 2 lofts on top of the retail space to make into short term rentals because our city is getting a Hard Rock Casino and her shop is on the main drag between the historic downtown and where the casino is being built.   We already cleared it through the city and are working on getting a structural engineer out to see if we can build on top of the existing building or have to demolish and start new.  Then get a architect to make plans.

Reluctantly I  am planning to sell a couple multi family that I’ve been complaining about for years because it’s too far away and I want to invest in the area I live.  
i would like to split that money into lots of different little projects and not use it all on this commercial rehab.   

Has anyone raised funds for opportunity zone investments?  I’m guesstimating my project will be less than $500,000 to fund.  
How would I start the process on trying to get funding for this project?  What’s in it for an investor?  I called a hard money lender and they do not do rehab construction on commercial.  
Any info is greatly appreciated!