Clean Ohio Fund
In November of 2000, voters approved the $400 million Clean Ohio Fund to preserve green space and farmland, improve outdoor recreation, and revitalize blighted neighborhoods by cleaning up and redeveloping polluted properties.
Four competitive funding programs were designed including the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund (CORF) and the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund (COAF). Cuyahoga County Department of Development works with development partners to prepare applications for CORF and COAF grants to be submitted by the Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners.
Program Income and Sources
- The CORF Project can receive up to $3 million grant. A 25% Match is required. (County Brownfield Program can be used as a match).
- The COAF Project can receive up to $750,000 grant.
Program Restrictions
- Eligible applicants include Townships, Municipalities, Counties, Port Authorities, and Conservancy Districts.
- Only projects in the Cities of Cleveland and East Cleveland can receive COAF funding.
- Eligible Properties must meet the definition of a brownfield.
- CORF funding cycle is dependent upon the State of Ohio’s capital appropriation budget.
Eligible Program Activities
Activities to be funded are environmental assessments (only under COAF), cleanup and remediation of hazardous substances and/or petroleum, demolition, and limited infrastructure improvements.
Program Outcomes
- In December 2005, the Board of County Commissioners through the Department of Development received a $3 million CORF grant for the Flats East Bank Neighborhood project.
- The Department of Development received COAF funding for the National Acme Building redevelopment project. The use of the 105-year-old National Acme Building is greatly limited due to the concern for contamination of wood flooring and soil.
Project Selection Criteria and Measures
- CORF projects are ranked at the local level by the District One Public Works Integrating Committee and then reviewed and ranked statewide by the Clean Ohio Council. State Controlling Board makes final grant award.
- COAF awards are made by the Director of the Ohio Department of Development.
- Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria including: economic benefit; environmental improvement including public health benefit; appropriateness and reasonableness of the proposed project; the financial condition of the community; and other factors as determined by the Director of Development.
Brownfield Economic Development Initiative (BEDI)
HUD BEDI grant funds are targeted for the redevelopment of brownfields sites that facilitate an increase of economic opportunities for low-and moderate-income persons as part of the creation or retention of businesses, jobs and increases in the local tax base. HUD does not provide assistance directly to citizens. Cuyahoga County is an eligible applicant in certain areas of the county.
Funds are used as the stimulus for local governments and private sector parties to commence redevelopment or continue phased redevelopment efforts on brownfields sites where either potential or actual environmental conditions are known. HUD emphasizes the use of BEDI and Section 108 Loan Guarantee funds to finance projects and activities that will provide near-term results and demonstrable economic benefits. HUD does not encourage applications whose scope is limited only to site acquisition and/or remediation (i.e., land banking), where there is no immediately planned redevelopment. BEDI funds are used to enhance the security or to improve the viability of a project financed with a new Section 108 guaranteed loan commitment.
The purpose of the BEDI program is to spur the return of brownfields to productive economic use through financial assistance to public entities in the redevelopment of brownfields, and enhance the security or improve the viability of a project financed with Section 108-guaranteed loan authority. Therefore, BEDI grants must be used in conjunction with a new Section 108-guaranteed loan commitment. A minimum BEDI to 108 ratio is 1:1.
BEDI projects must increase economic opportunity for persons of low-and moderate-income or stimulate and retain businesses and jobs that lead to economic revitalization. There is a cap of $2 million per BEDI grant award. Section 108 funds are available to eligible applicants throughout the year on a noncompetitive basis. The limit to the Section 108 funds depends on applicants capacity.
Recently Renewed! - Brownfield Expensing Tax Incentive
The Brownfield Expensing Tax Incentive is intended to spur the cleanup and revitalization of brownfield properties by allowing taxpayers to immediately reduce their taxable income by the cost of their eligible cleanup expenses. Under the Tax Incentive, certain environmental cleanup costs at targeted sites may be fully deducted by eligible taxpayers in the year in which they are incurred, rather than having to be capitalized and spread over a period of years.
Brownfield Insurance
A Brownfield Insurance site has been developed with funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assist those seeking information and assistance with insurance products that mitigate environmental liabilities associated with brownfield properties. Here you can find information about brokers, insurers, and lawyers; library resources about brownfields insurance; and a glossary of terms.