"These Clean Ohio investments will help transform underutilized and blighted spaces into vibrant community assets," said William Murdock, Director of the Department's Urban Development Division. "The future plans for each property will benefit the state's economy and create exciting new uses that enhance our communities."

The Clean Ohio Assistance Fund is part of the Clean Ohio Fund, which restores, protects, and connects Ohio's important natural and urban areas by preserving green space and farmland, improving outdoor recreation, and cleaning up brownfields to encourage redevelopment and revitalize communities.

The City of Barberton (Summit County) will receive a $387,626 grant to conduct remediation activities on the former Seiberling Office. The property, located at 345 15th Street NW, is made up of four parcels totaling 1.7 acres northwest of downtown. Upon remediation, the property will provide office space to growing businesses in the community. The Barberton Land Improvement Company and the City have secured two end-users to lease up to 24,200 square feet of the complex.

The City of Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) will receive a $299,377 grant to conduct a Phase II Environmental Assessment on the Kolthoff Road Landfill property. The property, located at Grayton Road and I-X Center Drive, is made up of two parcels totaling nearly 100 acres southwest of downtown. The Phase II Environmental Assessment, which will determine the property's environmental suitability and possible need for remediation, will include the installation of 51 test pits, 14 monitoring wells, and 10 soil vapor probes. The assessment also will include collecting five soil shovel samples, four seep samples, data evaluation, and reporting. The City plans to turn the majority of the property into a solar power generating facility.

The City of Lancaster (Fairfield County) will receive an $110,684 grant to conduct a Phase II Environmental Assessment on the former Starfire Express property. The property, located at 471 North Ewing Street, is made up of three parcels totaling .77 acres east of downtown. The Phase II Environmental Assessment, which will determine the property's environmental suitability and possible need for remediation, will include the installation of 14 soil borings, five shallow monitoring wells, and one deep monitoring well. The assessment also will include an asbestos survey, geophysical survey, data evaluation, and reporting. The City is looking to assist Fairfield Medical Center acquire the property for expansion of its campus.

Cuyahoga County will receive a $656,272 grant to conduct demolition and remediation activities on the Emerald Alliance VII property. The property, located at 9431 Lorain Avenue, is made up of two parcels totaling .55 acres west of downtown. As part of the Housing First Initiative, the property will be redeveloped into a 40-unit permanent supportive housing complex, including apartments, on-site social services, community rooms, and 24-hour staffing. The project is expected to create nine full-time jobs and five part-time positions.

The Clean Ohio Assistance Fund is an open-cycle program that provides grant dollars for Phase II Environmental Assessment and Brownfield Cleanup/Public Health Projects. To date, 203 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund projects have been awarded, totaling more than $71 million. Of the 203 projects, 59 were for cleanup projects, which leveraged more than $1 billion and are expected to create and retain 5,700 jobs. For more information about the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund, visit www.clean.ohio.gov.

The Urban Development Division assists communities with place-based redevelopment, which creates wealth from personal, business, and community successes. The Urban Development Division works to identify the resources and financing necessary to enhance the economic viability of local communities.

Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio's future.