Kutak Rock partner Oliver Hopkins will speak at the Council of Development Finance Agencies’ National Development Finance Summit in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Thursday, October 9. Oliver will speak in a panel discussion titled “Islands of Impact: Deploying NMTCs Where They Matter Most” at 3 p.m. (ADT).

The session will detail how New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs) are being deployed in Puerto Rico to support community health, education, renewable energy and small business growth. Panelists will discuss how the new “Deep Distress” designation can enhance allocation competitiveness and how Community Development Entities (CDEs) can structure deals that meet both compliance and community needs in a territory with distinct legal, economic and geographic considerations.

Topics covered by the panel will include:

• Practical insights into aligning NMTC investments with Puerto Rico’s development priorities
• Leveraging federal incentives
• Building partnerships that deliver measurable outcomes in deeply distressed communities

Oliver focuses his practice on community development and tax incentive finance products including federal new markets tax credits, state new markets tax credits, opportunity zones, historic rehabilitation credits, renewable energy credits, and other related state and federal financing products. Oliver has a wide range of experience representing developers, investors, insurance companies, institutional lenders, banks, syndicators, investment funds, housing agencies and corporations. Oliver’s practice includes structuring and closing transactions and representing clients across a variety of transaction structures including multi-investor funds and syndicated funds.