$60 Million in Brownfield Remediation Grants Awarded in Ohio 

Presented By Classic Brands

(Columbus) – Two southern Ohio projects are among 78 in the state to receive some of the $60 million in funding to help local communities clean up dozens of contaminated properties to make way for future economic development.  

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 Mike 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.” 

Among the 78 projects receiving funding are:

• Piketon Village (Pike County): $1.1 million for the removal of an underground fuel storage tank, asbestos abatement, and soil remediation at the site of the former Piketon High School. The original 1975 gymnasium is expected to be renovated into an event center, and there are plans for a new building to be constructed for commercial and office use.  
• Portsmouth City Health Department (Scioto County): $151,500 for asbestos abatement at the former Martings Department Store in downtown Portsmouth. Constructed in 1909, the location has been vacant since early 2000. After abatement, the site is expected to be rehabilitated and opened as developable space.  
• Ross County will receive $1 million.

The Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program was created with support from the Ohio General Assembly in the current operating budget. Today’s awards are the first group of funds from Round 1, with another group to be announced in the near future. 

Funding for the program is first come, first served with a $1 million set-aside for each county. The Ohio Department of Development is accepting Round 2 applications until April 30 from counties that have not yet exhausted their $1 million set-aside. A full breakdown of counties with remaining funds is available on the Ohio Department of Development’s website. All remaining funds not exhausted in the first two rounds will be made available statewide in Round 3, which will begin on July 1, 2022.

For more information on the Brownfield Remediation Program, visit Development.Ohio.Gov/Brownfield.