Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced that 825 blighted and vacant structures in 30 counties will be demolished to clear the way for new economic development.
The demolition projects will be funded as part of Governor DeWine's Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, which was developed to help local communities tear down dilapidated commercial and residential buildings and revitalize surrounding properties to attract investments, businesses, and jobs.
"There are sites all over Ohio that are perfect for redevelopment, but the cost to demolish the crumbling structures on these properties is standing in the way of new economic opportunities," said DeWine. "By helping to clear out this blight, we're investing in the future of our citizens and our communities."
"With these grants, we're giving communities the resources they need to help clean up and revitalize sites to remove eyesores and attract new business," said Husted.
The demolition projects announced will be funded with the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program set-aside grants announced for each county in July. Fifteen counties will also receive additional program funding totaling $22.6 million to cover demolition expenses in excess of the initial set-aside grants.
In total, the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program will award approximately $150 million in grants for demolition and revitalization projects across the state. Additional details on demolition projects in counties not represented in today's announcement will be announced in the coming weeks.
"We are excited to see what the future holds for these properties," said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. "Removing these blighted and hazardous structures will transform the landscapes of these communities and open the door for future economic development."
The Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program is part of Governor DeWine's Ohio BUILDS Initiative, which focuses on supporting targeted solutions that impact the quality of life, such as water infrastructure improvements, broadband expansion, brownfield redevelopment, the demolition of blighted buildings, and more.
Categories: Ohio, Government & Policy