20. Opportunity Zones with John Heneghan Artwork

Land & Everything Else

Land & Everything Else is dedicated to demystifying the world of alternative investments. Brought to you by the department of Agriculture and Consumer Economics within the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois, Land and Everything Else will explore the nuts and bolts of non-stock and bond investing. From dirt to derivatives, this podcast will guide financial planners, wealth managers and consumers into the land of alternative investing.

Land & Everything Else

20. Opportunity Zones with John Heneghan

August 08, 2024 • Dr. Craig Lemoine & Ailie Elmore

Want to know how investments in rural areas can transform communities and yield impressive returns? Join us on the Land and Everything Else podcast as we sit down with John Heneghan, President of Servant Financial, to uncover the secrets behind Opportunity Zone Funds. This episode is a deep dive into the mechanics of the Promised Land Opportunity Zone Fund, where John explains how these funds are revitalizing low-income communities by enhancing agricultural productivity. From the origins of opportunity zones to the specific improvements like grain bin storage and irrigation, listen in to understand how these investments are making a substantial impact.

John shares an insider's perspective on the Promised Land Opportunity Zone Fund's successful first round of investments, which raised $40 million in equity and secured an additional $20 million in loans. Discover how the fund acquired and improved 12 farms across Illinois, South Carolina, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Highlighting the standout project—a 4,500-acre farm in North Carolina equipped with a state-of-the-art grain bin system. Don't miss this insightful conversation that reveals the transformative power of strategic agricultural investments.