On April 26, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted awarded over $60 million in funding to help local communities clean up dozens of contaminated properties to make way for future economic revitalization.
As part of the new Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program, the Ohio Department of Development is providing funding for 78 projects, including approximately $54.8 million for 37 clean-up projects and $5.5 million for 41 assessment projects. These projects will impact communities in 35 counties across the state.
“These hazardous, decaying sites – some of which have been vacant for decades – are barriers to economic growth and community revitalization, but now, we’re going to help breathe new life into these areas,” said Governor DeWine.
“The projects we’re funding today will not only revive these sites for new development, but they’ll also improve quality of life and open the door for exciting new opportunities for the citizens of our state,” he added.
Governor DeWine announced the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program grant awards while visiting Mansfield, where a $3 million grant will be used to remediate petroleum tanks and hazardous chemicals at the remaining Westinghouse Electric Products buildings, which have been vacant since 1990.
Westinghouse produced appliances such as electric ranges, curling irons, and coffee makers beginning in 1918. The site is expected to be redeveloped into housing, businesses, and/or greenspace in the future.
This $60 million grant announcement represents the first group of grants awarded as part of Round 1 of the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program, with nearly $350 million to be invested in total across the state in coming months.
“More businesses are looking to expand in Ohio, but they need sites that are ready to go immediately,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “By cleaning up brownfield sites, we are creating locations that are ready to accommodate a business expansion. We are also transforming communities by removing blighted buildings and turning those sites into new opportunities for economic development.”
These funds will help to assess and 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.
“We’re very excited about the future of these sites,” said Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development.
“These grants will have a positive impact in our communities, helping them remove blighted properties and prepare sites for redevelopment,” she concluded.
Following site remediation, properties can be redeveloped to revitalize neighborhoods and attract new economic development.
Featured photo (courtesy of the Ohio Governor’s Office) shows Governor DeWine in Mansfield, Ohio.