In an effort to improve economic viability in distressed areas, Gainesville officials are offering an urban redevelopment plan that could bring tax credit for new jobs in some areas.

Those areas are called "opportunity zones."

As part of Georgia's tax code, relocating or expanding businesses within designated opportunity zones may be eligible for tax credits for every new job they create.

Those jobs must be full time with a wage requirement and health insurance option, said Amy Gore, of Blakely & Associates, who is aiding the city in redevelopment planning.

Rusty Ligon, the city's Community Development director, said Gainesville began considering new zones with encouragement from the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce.

The zones are expected to entice businesses to the area.

For a local government to designate an opportunity zone, it must first meet state requirements and be approved by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

The zones have to be in or adjacent to census block groups with 15 percent poverty with evidence of underdevelopment, blight or general distress.

The city currently has opportunity zones in Midtown and Downtown.

The Gainesville City Council will host a public hearing on the plan at its meeting on Tuesday. After the hearing and any public comment, council will vote on the plan before sending it to the Hall County Board of Commissioners.

Although the city developed the plan, Gainesville is hoping to partner with Hall County government in implementing it, said City Manager Kip Padgett, since many of the proposed zones overlap outside city limits into the county's jurisdiction.

At Thursday's Gainesville City Council work session, Gore presented the proposed opportunity zones.

The first zone is around Browns Bridge Road and Atlanta Highway, where the goal is to "revitalize aging commercial properties," said Gore.

The second is an area along Ga. 365 and White Sulpher Road, where the city planners hope to bring industrial development into vacant areas.

Lastly, the city has pinpointed areas around Candler Road. An opportunity zone could "stimulate development of larger business parks and support underutilized industrial development," Gore said.