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JUE Insight: What is the impact of opportunity zones on job postings?

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  • Atkins, Rachel M.B.
  • Hernández-Lagos, Pablo
  • Jara-Figueroa, Cristian
  • Seamans, Robert

Abstract

We study the effect of Opportunity Zones (OZs) on job postings using data comprising the near-universe of U.S. online job postings. The OZs program grants tax breaks for investment in designated distressed communities, nominated by each state’s governor based on multiple factors. We use propensity score matching to account for those factors and a difference-in-differences model over the matched sample to estimate the effect of the program. We find limited evidence of any effect of OZs on job postings on average, although we do find small positive effects in urban areas, in areas with above median Black population, and in some states.

Suggested Citation

  • Atkins, Rachel M.B. & Hernández-Lagos, Pablo & Jara-Figueroa, Cristian & Seamans, Robert, 2023. "JUE Insight: What is the impact of opportunity zones on job postings?," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juecon:v:136:y:2023:i:c:s0094119023000141
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jue.2023.103545
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Opportunity zones; Employment; Place-based policies; Tax policies; Job postings;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J38 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Public Policy
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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