Governor DeWine Announces $86.1 Million in Brownfield Remediation Grants 

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik today announced $86.1 million in state support to help clean up and redevelop 81 hazardous brownfield sites in 46 counties.

The Ohio Department of Development is awarding the funding through the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program, which was created by the DeWine-Husted Administration in 2021. Today’s announcement includes approximately $82.1 million for 65 cleanup/remediation projects and $4 million for 16 assessment projects. 

Since the launch of the program, the Department of Development has awarded $636 million to support 626 projects in 86 counties. 

Funds awarded today will help 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. Following site remediation, properties can be redeveloped to revitalize neighborhoods and attract new economic development.  

The Ohio General Assembly is funding the program through the current operating budget. Ohio’s 88 counties were each eligible for at least $1 million in funding, with the remaining funds awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.  

In our region, Wyandot County was awarded $790,000 for the remediation of two deteriorated downtown buildings in Upper Sandusky that were severely damaged by a fire.

Activities will include asbestos abatement, soil remediation, and structural improvements.

Once completed, the site will be redeveloped into residential and commercial spaces, revitalizing the historic downtown area and creating 50 new jobs.

Also in our region, just over one million dollars was awarded to Union County for a project in Marysville, $407,000 was awarded for a project in Marion County and just over $845,000 was awarded for a project in Hancock County. 

New projects receiving awards include:  

• Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corp 
  The Centennial 
  $10,000,000 Cleanup/Remediation 
  This project involves asbestos removal, lead-based paint remediation, and soil gas mitigation at the historic Centennial Building in downtown Cleveland. Plans include adaptive reuse of the 1.4 million-square-foot property into workforce housing, offices, and retail spaces. The project will create 350 permanent jobs and support more than 3,200 construction jobs​​. 
• Delaware County Land Reutilization Corporation
  50 Channing Street Redevelopment 
  $921,438 Cleanup/Remediation 
  This project involves asbestos abatement, lead paint removal, and demolition of three structures at the former Delaware County Engineers’ property. The site will be redeveloped into 44 affordable rental apartments and eight single-family homes with sustainable features and public utilities installed. The project will enhance community housing options and create new recreational spaces.  
  
• Hamilton County Land Reutilization Corporation 
  West Fork Incinerator 
  $5,052,818 Cleanup/Remediation 
  This project involves the demolition and abatement of a decommissioned incinerator with significant asbestos, lead-based paint, and hazardous materials contamination. The site will be redeveloped as part of the Mill Creek Greenway, supporting Cincinnati’s CROWN master plan for a 100+ mile multi-use trail network. The redevelopment will enhance access to recreation and transportation for nearby communities​.  
  
• Southeastern Ohio Port Authority (Washington County) 
  Belpre Medical Campus – Toll Compaction Demolition $1,594,764 Cleanup/Remediation 
  This project involves the demolition and removal of a 74,592-square-foot industrial building, along with the remediation of stained soils in accordance with Voluntary Action Program standards. The property, historically used for manufacturing and chemical storage, will be transformed into a women’s and children’s hospital, housing pediatric and obstetric services. The redevelopment will create 50 new jobs and retain 200 existing positions​. 

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.