Ohio Counties to Receive $150M in Demolition Funding — Find Out What Your County Is Getting

States around the country are looking to build up their communities in the wake of President Biden’s new commitments to national infrastructure buildup  — and now, communities and contractors across Ohio have a chance to make giant gains on that front. Contractors working (or planning to work on) demolition and revitalization projects across the entire state of Ohio will have additional funding to look forward to.

A July 1, 2022 press release from the state’s gubernatorial leadership announced $42.1 million in grant funding to be awarded to and spread out between each of Ohio’s counties as part of the new Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program — and there’s even more set to come in the future.

A $500,000 maximum was set aside for each county during the initial round of funding, with 87 of the state’s 88 counties requesting all or a majority of each grant.

Here’s a breakdown of who is getting what from round 1 of funding:

After the initial round, this leaves nearly $108 million in remaining funds — money which will be given to counties on what the state says will be a “first-come, first-served” basis.

“There are vacant, decaying buildings all over the state that are nothing but eyesores, and it’s time for these structures to go,” Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said. “By investing to tear down these dangerous properties, we’re not only helping to transform the landscape of our communities, but we’re also clearing the way for redevelopment, more jobs, and new opportunities for Ohio residents.” 

Though the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program is at the heart of the funding package, the program is coming as part of Governor DeWine’s Ohio BUILDS Initiative, which focuses on work such as water infrastructure improvements, broadband expansion, and brownfield redevelopment as well as building demolition.

Lt. Governor Jon Husted added that the program’s focus “takes blighted properties that are a scar on the landscape of a community and turns them into parks, housing or thriving businesses.” 

The program notes that properties which are “blighted, vacant or abandoned structures” are eligible for demolition, with both commercial and residential buildings eligible.

“With access to this funding communities can start on their projects and begin making room for future growth,” added Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Clearing blight and dilapidated structures helps pave the way for future economic development.”

Individual counties are already starting to see where funding is going to grow beyond the $500,000 grants that have already been allocated, as well.

Taylor Abbott, treasurer for Monroe County, noted that county officials were excited to get going after the first round of funding had been allocated, saying that “all of us are collectively thrilled about it.”

Monroe County is going to approach the process quickly too, with Abbott saying that officials would “like to have these [demolitions] wrapped up by the end of the year.”

“It’s the largest demolition project we’ve ever had here in the county,” he added. “It’s going to begin a period of revitalization to really begin cleaning up earnestly in some of our communities and hopefully new homes will be built in place of these dilapidated structures. We’re just thrilled to see this beginning here because it’s needed badly.”

Officials in other counties noted how important the funding was for projects they’ve been hoping to embark on for a period of time. Harrison County Commissioner Paul Coffland said the county would work to “use all of the money.”

“Unfortunately we have a number of dilapidated properties throughout the county,” Coffland added. “This is a way that we can clean things up and possibly open up properties for redevelopment. It’s definitely a good thing for the county.”

Any questions related to the grant program can be directed to Megan Nagy, Development
Public Information Officer, at megan.nagy@development.ohio.gov. Questions about any of the individual grants can be directed to the entity receiving the funding.

Learn more – Ohio Demolition & Revitalization Construction: What’s Getting Funding & How Contractors Can Benefit