Revitalizing Ohio’s Brownfields
Increasing Opportunities for Job Growth and Economic Development
The Greater Ohio Policy Center and Brownfields Redevelopment
Over the past few years, Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC) has advocated for state dollars to help Ohio’s communities remediate brownfields, and bring those sites into productive use. This advocacy has centered on the need for grant dollars to ensure all communities in Ohio have access to funds, and for dollars that are community-responsive to meet the varying needs of each community in the state. GOPC applauds the efforts of the Legislature for the inclusion of the Brownfield Remediation Program in the FY24-25 state budget, and will continue to lead as an advocate for continuing funding and thoughtful brownfields policies in the state.
Ohio Senate Budget Proposal Would Undermine Significant Progress on Brownfield Remediation Efforts Across Ohio
The Ohio Senate Finance Committee’s proposed changes to the Brownfield Remediation Program (BRP) would undermine the significant progress that has been made over the past four years.
Under the Senate proposal, future brownfield grants would be restricted to only projects that have a designated “economic development” end-use.
Since 2021, Ohio has invested nearly $700 million in the assessment and clean-up of hundreds of brownfield sites across the state. More than 200 of the sites have received assessment grants, totaling nearly $44 million. Unless those sites have a proposed economic development end use, this spending will go to waste as clean-up efforts will not be able to proceed under the program.
GOPC’s review of all BRP grants to date shows that, of the 631 total grant awards issued since 2021, 21% of project awards have fallen under the “economic development” category.
It would be a disservice to the people of Ohio to restrict ongoing funding only for projects that have an “economic development” end use, when the state is facing innumerable challenges, including a housing crisis where these sites could be redeveloped for future residential development (as 26% of current grant awards are planned).
GOPC strongly opposes these changes and urges the Senate or Conference Committee to remove them from the bill.
Please, contact your elected officials today and urge them to store the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program.
The Future of Brownfield Revitalization in Ohio
Ohio Lawmakers have introduced legislation to provide for the long-term, permanent, sustainable funding of brownfield remediation in the state of Ohio.
With support from GOPC, the legislation will ensure brownfield revitalization can continue in 2025 and beyond.
Ohio Brownfield Conference
Ohio’s Premier Networking and Learning Event For Brownfield Professionals is May 8, 2025 in Westerville, Ohio
Ohio Brownfield’s Blog
Updates and the Latest News Impacting Brownfield Revitalization from across Ohio
Brownfield Remediation Fund
Resources and Frequently Asked Questions about Ohio’s Leading Brownfield Revitalization Program
Contact Ohio Brownfields
Connect with Greater Ohio Policy Center’s Brownfield’s Team
