Ohio Invests $58 Million to Revitalize Brownfields and Boost Local Economies

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently announced $58.2 million in funding for 61 new brownfield remediation projects across 33 counties as part of the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program. This initiative, launched in 2021 under the DeWine-Husted Administration, aims to clean up hazardous brownfield sites and redevelop them for economic and community revitalization. The latest awards include $55.9 million for cleanup/remediation efforts and $2.4 million for site assessments, contributing to the program's total funding of over $560 million across 86 counties.

The program targets industrial, commercial, and institutional properties that are abandoned or underutilized due to contamination from hazardous substances or petroleum. Examples of awarded projects include the Old River Road Assemblage in Cuyahoga County, which will transform historic maritime-era structures into residential and retail spaces, and the Battery Park Marina in Erie County, which will support a large mixed-use development with residential, hotel, and recreational areas. Other projects, such as Hamilton County’s 4th & Walnut Center and Ross County’s Transit Parcel, will promote economic growth through mixed-use developments and workforce housing initiatives.

Funded through Ohio's General Assembly and the Ohio BUILDS Initiative, the program underscores the state’s commitment to addressing environmental challenges while driving economic development. By cleaning up these sites, the initiative improves public health, attracts new businesses, and creates jobs. The diverse projects funded under this round highlight the program’s potential to restore neighborhoods and strengthen local economies statewide.