A Mission-Driven Opportunity Zone Project in San Bernardino, CA

JAJimmy Atkinson·December 30, 2025 · 4 min read

Opportunity Zones don’t have to be about luxury apartments.

Robert Carrillo of LaunchPad Collective joins the show to discuss his mission-driven Opportunity Zone project in San Bernardino focused on social impact, affordable housing, and local job creation. This episode centers on a community-first, mixed-use development model designed to support entrepreneurship, deliver attainable housing, and align investor returns with neighborhood needs.

Guest: Robert Carrillo

Featured On This Episode

About The Opportunity Zones Podcast

Hosted by OpportunityZones.com founder Jimmy Atkinson, The Opportunity Zones Podcast features guest interviews from fund managers, advisors, policymakers, tax professionals, and other foremost experts in the Opportunity Zones industry.

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Episode Summary

This episode of The Opportunity Zones Podcast was recorded on-site at the 2025 Novogradac Opportunity Zones Summit at the Four Seasons Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas. Jimmy Atkinson is joined in person by Robert Carrillo, president and founder of the Carrillo Group and the Launchpad Collective, for a short conversation about the conference, OZ 2.0 momentum, and Launchpad’s work in San Bernardino.

Jimmy opens by welcoming Robert back to the show and noting that they have connected in person several times before, including at an OZ Insiders dinner in Manhattan Beach and again the night before the summit in Las Vegas. Robert shares his impressions of the most recent dinner, noting that it was significantly larger than the Manhattan Beach event and benefited from being held the night before the Novogradac conference.

The conversation then turns to the Novogradac Opportunity Zones Summit itself. Jimmy notes the renewed energy around Opportunity Zones 2.0 and asks Robert for his impressions of the conference so far. Robert describes the energy as “incredible,” pointing to a full room, strong panels, and high-quality panelists. He says he has already learned new ways to think about using OZ 2.0, or Opportunity Zones more generally, to elevate the work he is doing. He also emphasizes the value of networking at the summit and calls it “a good place to be.”

Launchpad Collective and the San Bernardino Vision

Jimmy reminds listeners that Robert previously presented at an OZ Pitch Day event in June and invites him to explain what Launchpad is and what he is building through the Opportunity Zones program. Robert introduces himself again as president and founder of both the Carrillo Group and the Launchpad Collective, explaining that Launchpad Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Robert explains that through these entities, he and his team are addressing some of San Bernardino’s most pressing economic and housing needs. Their projects are mixed-use developments that feature ground-floor micro-retail and incubator-type spaces, with housing units above. He notes that this approach is different from many OZ developments that people typically see.

When asked what differentiates Launchpad from other Opportunity Zone deals, Robert points to the project’s public-private partnership structure and its alignment with the original intent of Opportunity Zones. He says the goal is to bring investment that serves communities, creates jobs, supports entrepreneurship pathways, and delivers housing that people in the community can actually afford.

Upcoming Webinar and Investor Education

Jimmy announces that OpportunityZones.com will be hosting a webinar featuring Robert and Launchpad in January 2026, with details to be published on the website. He asks Robert what he hopes to cover during that webinar.

Robert explains that the goal is to present Launchpad as a social impact movement and project that will take advantage of Opportunity Zones and other tax incentives. He says the webinar will show how investors can make money while community residents also benefit. He frames the project as a “win-win” for investors, the community, and the sponsor and developer.

Jimmy confirms the timing of the webinar and reiterates that registration details will be available on the Opportunity Zones Podcast show notes page.

Launchpad Gala and Project Momentum

Jimmy also asks Robert about a recent kickoff gala hosted by Launchpad Collective. Robert describes the event as their first gala and a major milestone. He says the event brought together partners, elected officials, community members, and organizers, noting that Launchpad currently has eight core partners.

Robert explains that the gala served two purposes. First, it was a celebration of the momentum Launchpad has already achieved, including acquiring land, entering predevelopment, and putting money down on modular housing units. Second, it was a chance to celebrate what San Bernardino can become. While acknowledging that the city is often viewed as distressed, Robert says he believes Launchpad’s model, combined with Opportunity Zone potential, can change the narrative and position San Bernardino as an attractive place for future development.

Where to Learn More

To close the episode, Jimmy asks where listeners can learn more about Robert and Launchpad Collective. Robert directs listeners to launchpadcollective.org, where they can find information about the team and what they are building in San Bernardino. He also gives a shout-out to OZ Insiders, encouraging listeners to join and describing OpportunityZones.com as a key resource for learning about Opportunity Zones.

Jimmy thanks Robert for joining him on-site in Las Vegas and reminds listeners to visit opportunityzones.com/podcast for updates on the upcoming Launchpad webinar and future episodes.