The Clean Ohio Program has invested more than $138 million toward brownfield assessment and cleanup projects in the past four years (leveraging $1.3 billion in private investment). Governor Ted Strickland has proposed renewal of the Clean Ohio Fund through the bi-partisan job stimulus package. This issue is expected to appear on the ballot in November 2008.

In the meanwhile, House Bill 496 recently provided $47 million in capital re-appropriations for the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund program. Twenty percent of the net proceeds for the Clean Ohio Revitalization fund are dedicated to the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund (COAF) for brownfield redevelopment in Eligible Areas. The Urban Development Division will begin accepting applications for the COAF program beginning July 1, 2008.

Read about the brownfields portion of the program here and about the natural areas preservation portion of the program here.