Governor DeWine announces $15.5M in Brownfield Remediation Grants to communities in 35 counties
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik Tuesday announced $15.5 million in grants to help communities in 35 counties clean up contaminated properties and prepare them for redevelopment.
The Department of Development is awarding this funding as part of the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program. The announcement includes nearly $8.4 million for 22 cleanup and remediation projects and $7.1 million for 41 assessment projects.
“The Brownfield Remediation Program has been transformative in Ohio, and it has been incredible to see the difference it has made all over the state,” said Governor DeWine. “Every dilapidated storefront or longtime neighborhood eyesore we help clean up is a new opportunity for our local partners to breathe new life into their communities.”
Since its launch in 2021, the Brownfield Remediation Program has provided nearly $800 million to support 904 projects in 87 counties.
“A vacant old warehouse or run-down gas station does more than just impact a neighborhood’s appearance — they weigh down the potential of the people who live and work nearby,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “By investing in a future for these sites, we’re investing in a future where any community can become Ohio’s next great success story.”
Local projects include:
Highland County Land Reutilization Corporation (Highland County)
Project Name: Former Elliott Hotel
$47,192
Assessment
This project will conduct environmental assessments at two conjoined, now-vacant buildings in the village of Greenfield that historically operated as commercial and residential spaces. Once all work is complete, the property will be prepared for future commercial retail development.
Highland County Land Reutilization Corporation (Highland County)
Project Name: Former Machine Shop
$296,538
Assessment
This project will consist of a Phase II environmental assessment and remedial action plan at the site of a former machine shop, auto repair business, blacksmith, and gas station. Once all remediation work is complete, the property will be transformed into a parking lot for adjacent retail businesses.
Brown County Land Reutilization Corporation (Brown County)
Project Name: Former ABC Tire
$100,000
Assessment
This project will consist of a BUSTR corrective action process at a former gas station and auto repair shop. Once all remediation work is complete, the property will be redeveloped into a visitor center for the village of Georgetown.
Brown County Land Reutilization Corporation (Brown County)
Project Name: Triangle Property – 449 West State Street
$300,000
Assessment
This project will consist of BUSTR assessment and corrective action activities at the site of a former auto repair shop and gas station in Georgetown. No future redevelopment plans have been determined.
Brown County Land Reutilization Corporation (Brown County)
Project Name: Former Lumber Yard
$300,000
Assessment
This project will consist of a Phase I environmental site assessment, as well as an asbestos and universal waste survey. Following the future demolition of the former hardware store on the property will be a Phase II environmental site assessment. No future redevelopment plans have been determined.
The Village of Jeffersonville (Fayette County)
Project Name: Community Green Space and Plaza Park Expansion
$300,000
Assessment
The project will consist of an environmental assessment, as well as asbestos and hazardous materials surveys, at the site of a former gas station purchased by the village of Jeffersonville. Once all remediation is complete, including the removal of underground storage tanks, the property will be redeveloped into a community green space and farmers market, with pedestrian access to an adjacent park.
The City of Washington Court House (Fayette County)
Project Name: W. Court Street Properties
$300,000
Assessment
The project will consist of BUSTR environmental investigations and assessment activities at the site of a former gas station in Washington Court House. The property owner will determine redevelopment plans at a later date.
Pike County Land Reutilization Corporation (Pike County)
Project Name: Stockdale School
$508,330
Cleanup/Remediation
This project will consist of asbestos abatement, air sampling, and demolition of a vacant former school building and community center. Once remediation efforts are complete, the site will be included in the communityʼs local redevelopment plan.
Pike County Land Reutilization Corporation (Pike County)
Project Name: Ricer Gas Station
$236,017
Assessment
This project will consist of a Tier 1 Source Investigation, a Tier 2 Evaluation, soil boring and sampling, the installation of groundwater monitoring wells, and groundwater sampling at the site of a former gas station. Future plans include preparing the property for sale and redevelopment for commercial or industrial use.
Ross County Land Reutilization Corporation (Ross County)
Project Name: CSX Transit Property
$394,518
Cleanup/Remediation
This project previously received Brownfield Remediation Program funding in 2024 to complete remedial activities on the site of a former railroad storage yard in Chillicothe,
including soil excavation and disposal of contaminated soil. Following remediation, the city of Chillicothe plans to utilize this space as infill development and build housing. Twenty jobs are expected to be created as a result of this project.
Funding awarded through the Brownfield Remediation Program is used 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. Following site remediation, properties can be redeveloped to revitalize neighborhoods and attract new economic development.
“If you were to travel across Ohio, you’d be hard-pressed to find a community that hasn’t been made better by the Brownfield Remediation Program,” said Director Mihalik. “These projects are removing long-standing obstacles to growth, and creating opportunities for new housing, new businesses, new jobs, and better lives for our families.”
This round of funding was made possible with support from the Ohio General Assembly in the most recent biennium budget bill, which allocated $200 million toward the program. As required by the bill, $1 million has been reserved for applicants in each of Ohio’s 88 counties for Fiscal Year 2026, with awards being made via a merit-based process.
Projects that assess or remediate brownfield properties are eligible for funding. Entities that contributed to the contamination of properties are not eligible to apply.
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.