This week’s #GOPCThread offers a recap of the first two webinars GOPC has hosted in conjunction with our partners at Revitalizing Ohio’s Brownfields, to help communities prepare for the new funding opportunities presented with the creation of the Brownfield Remediation Fund.

Not on Twitter? The thread is available online, as well as below.

Greater Ohio Policy Center Read on Twitter

The inclusion of the Brownfield Remediation Fund in the state’s biennium budget, passed earlier this year, will provide Ohio’s communities with $350 million in brownfield grant dollars. It has been nearly a decade since communities have had access to such a large grant program.

The new program will require Ohio communities to submit applications to @OhioDevelopment, who will be administering the Brownfield Remediation Fund.  

To help communities prepare, GOPC launched the Revitalizing Ohio’s Brownfields Initiative, with an online platform @OHBrownfields

The website offers a one-stop shop of information & resources communities can utilize, such as a directory of experts who can assist with everything from assessments to helping prepare funding requests

In November, @OHBrownfields launched a multi-part webinar series, with the inaugural webinar focusing on preparation, planning, and prioritization to help communities as they prepare to apply for the newly available grant dollars.

.@HullAssociatesCraig Kasper highlighted Ohio’s decades-long success in brownfields, through the Voluntary Action Program and the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund.

.@WRPortAuthority ‘s Sarah Lown shared the work of the Mahoning River Corridor Revitalization, which involved public-private partnership to identify brownfields, characterize sites, and identify ownership.

David Ebersole with the @CityofCleveland highlighted the brownfields work on the health-tech corridor and the opportunity corridor.

.@jeffry_harris of @brickerlaw shared a private sector perspective with participants to help local governments think strategically about preparing a brownfield site for productive end-use.

If you missed this informative webinar, visit @OHBrownfields website to watch the recording.

Last week, @OHBrownfields hosted the second webinar in the series to discuss current brownfields programs operating in the state at @OhioEPA, @JobsOhio, @OhioDevelopment, and the Ohio Water Development Authority.

.@OhioEPA highlighted the grant dollars available through the Targeted Brownfield Assessment (TBA) program, and the training and technical assistance the Department provides.

.@OhioDevelopment discussed the Community Brownfield Program, which is a pilot program currently remediating a former hospital in Warren, Ohio. This program will have $2.3M in grant funding available after this pilot.

The Brownfield Loan Program operating at OWDA provides loans for Phase II assessments and remediation projects.

@JobsOhio’s Revitalization Program provides loans and grants for brownfields remediation in the state, with a focus on projects cannot be competitively developed in the current marketplace.

Each panelist shared the collaboration and coordination amongst these organizations/agencies in their brownfields work, and encourage participants to utilize all resources and assistance in their brownfield project work.

In case you missed the webinar, you can watch the full presentation in its entirety on the @OHBrownfields website and access the slide deck from the presentation.  

Last week, @OhioDevelopment made available the guidelines and temporary rules for the brownfield remediation fund. Final rules will still need to be approved, but applications for the program should begin soon. 

Next month, @OHBrownfields will host the third webinar in the series with @OhioDevelopment joining to discuss the guidelines and how communities can apply for funding. Register now!

It is an exciting time in Ohio for local changemakers to tackle the cleanup of brownfields in their communities! We hope you utilize the @OHBrownfields resources on OhioBrownfields.com, which includes updated information and a directory of experts to connect with.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the next webinar and be sure to check back regularly for more information about the brownfield remediation fund and how your community can apply

And thank you to our sponsors, who have helped to make the @OhioBrownfields project a success.