FISHER ANNOUNCES CLEAN OHIO REVITALIZATION FUND DEADLINE
Columbus, OH -July 10, 2008 – Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today advised local communities of the upcoming deadline to apply for the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund program, a statewide competitive program that provides grants of up to $3 million to acquire property, demolish structures, conduct environmental cleanup, and improve infrastructure on or serving a brownfield property. The application deadline for assistance through Round 5 is August 25 and approximately $17 million is expected to be awarded by the Clean Ohio Council in December. An additional $17 million is slated for Round 6, with applications due in January and award decisions to be made next spring. Since its inception, 64 Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund projects have been awarded more than $158 million, leveraging over $1.7 billion in private sector investment creating and/or retaining over 10,000 jobs.
“The State of Ohio is proud to offer assistance through the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund to communities wishing to increase opportunities for economic development by cleaning up brownfield properties,” said Lt. Governor Fisher, who serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development and Chair of the Clean Ohio Council. “The grants are an excellent resource to help revitalize Ohio’s older communities in particular, which are being left behind as the economy and cities change.”
In November 2000, Ohio voters approved the Clean Ohio Fund providing $200 million for brownfield redevelopment activities and $200 million for the preservation of green space. The Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund defines brownfields as abandoned, idled, or under-used commercial, industrial or institutional property where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by known or potential releases of hazardous substances or petroleum.
Counties, townships, municipalities, port authorities and park or conservancy districts are eligible to apply for Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund. Projects are evaluated using criteria that include economic benefit and environmental improvement.
Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund program information and schedule can be found at www.development.ohio.gov/UD/CORFRound5_6.htm. More information about the Clean Ohio program is available at clean.ohio.gov.
The mission of the Urban Development Division is to assist communities in creating wealth from personal, business and community successes. The Urban Development Division works to identify the resources and financing necessary to enhance the economic viability of local communities.
