Since 2021, nearly all of Ohio’s 88 counties have benefitted from the state’s successful Brownfield Remediation Program (BRP) administered through the Ohio Department of Development (Ohio DOD).
The program, originally implemented as part of the FY2022/2023 biennium budget, brought relief for communities across Ohio searching for funding to return non-performing land assets to productive use. The BRP grant application period for the final round of appropriated funds became available on February 19, 2025, and was fully encumbered in less than two and a half hours, demonstrating the need for continued financial support. This continued support could come from proposed Ohio House Bill 93 (HB93).
HB93 is a bipartisan bill introduced by T. Hall (R) and Sweeney (D) that proposes permanent funding that all Ohio communities could access beginning in the second half of 2025. The framework of HB93 builds upon the BRP and incorporates components of the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund (CORF), which was a brownfield remediation program also administered by the Ohio DOD in the early 2000s that was discontinued in 2013.
HB93 proposes both assessment and remediation funding for brownfield properties in Ohio’s communities. It is important to note that the source of funding is not a new tax. Rather, the funding is a redirection of some monies currently directed to Ohio’s General Revenue Fund sourced through sale of spiritous liquor.
As currently drafted, up to $200,000 will be allocated annually to each of Ohio’s 88 counties to pay for reasonable costs associated with environmental assessments. The balance of funding, following allocation to both the Ohio DOD and the Ohio EPA for administration of the program, will be used to remediate brownfield properties following a merit-based process. This process differs significantly from the current BRP’s “first-come, first-served” approach; however, HB93 maintains the non-competitive aspect of the BRP for environmental assessment funding as noted above.
The Ohio House Finance Committee hearing is scheduled for March 13, 2025, and the Ohio House is expected to pass the State budget by the end of April, followed by the Ohio Senate by mid-June. Finally, the Conference Committee (yet to be assigned) will meet mid-June to late June. With the Ohio House Finance Committee hearing occurring this week, now is the time to contact your representatives in the House and in the Senate to show your support for HB93 and help ensure the continuation of funding brownfield redevelopment projects.
CEC’s VAP Certified Professionals Can Assist
For more information about HB93 and for assistance with brownfield redevelopment in Ohio, please contact one of CEC’s Ohio Voluntary Action Program (VAP) Certified Professionals:
Brent R. Smith, CEC Columbus | 614.310.1042 | brsmith@cecinc.com
Jim Zentmeyer, CEC Cincinnati | 513.483.3506 | jzentmeyer@cecinc.com
Mike Coonfare, CEC Toledo | 419.214.4412 | mcoonfare@cecinc.com
Matt Hammer, CEC Cleveland | 440.544.1555 | mhammer@cecinc.com
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