Governor DeWine Announces Availability
of $175 Million for Brownfield Remediation
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced today that nearly $175 million in grant funding is now available to help communities clean up contaminated properties and prepare them for new development opportunities.
The funding will be awarded as part of the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program, which was launched by the DeWine-Husted Administration in 2021. The program helps local communities clean up industrial, commercial, and institutional brownfield sites that are abandoned, idled, or underutilized due to a known or potential release of hazardous substances or petroleum.
“Many of the brownfield properties in Ohio once played an important role in the industries that shaped our great state’s legacy of innovation,” said Governor DeWine. “By supporting more of our communities through this transformative program, we’re giving these sites a second chance and clearing a path for Ohio’s next great economic success story.”
“Reviving brownfield sites isn't just about clearing the past, it's about sculpting a promising future,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “Cleaning these sites opens up residential, commercial, and industrial locations that are already connected to the necessary infrastructure to redevelop. This unlocks the potential for vibrant communities, breathing new life into forgotten grounds to become a place where history greets innovation."
The Ohio Department of Development administers Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program. The first three rounds of the program – announced in April, June, and December of 2022 – provided nearly $350 million to support 313 projects in 83 counties.
“Brownfield clean up can be very expensive, making it challenging for many of our communities to complete,” said Director Mihalik. “Thanks to the support of Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted, and our partners in the Ohio General Assembly, we’re ready to empower more of our local partners in turning these eyesores into new businesses, housing, and hubs for future growth.”
This new round of funding was made possible with support from the Ohio General Assembly in the most recent biennium budget bill, House Bill 33. As required by the bill, each county will have access to a $1 million set-aside, with the remaining funds awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Projects that assess or remediate brownfield properties are eligible for funding. Each county has designated a lead entity which may apply for funding on behalf of the county. Entities that contributed to the contamination of properties are not eligible to apply.
The Brownfield Remediation Program is part of Governor Mike DeWine's Ohio BUILDS Initiative, which focuses on supporting targeted solutions that impact quality of life, such as water infrastructure improvements, broadband expansion, brownfield redevelopment, and the demolition of blighted buildings.
Applications are open now through 11:59 p.m. on April 1, 2024.
Additional Media Contact:
Ohio Department of Development
Sarah Wickham, Chief Communications Officer
📞 614-265-6889
✉ [email protected]
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