The Ohio Department of Development’s Urban Development Division will soon be accepting Applications for the Brownfield Action Plan Pilot Program.
What is the Brownfield Action Plan Pilot Program?
The Brownfield Action Plan Pilot Program is a new initiative that will use existing funds to assist communities in the expedited development and implementation of an area-wide Brownfield Action Plan. The pilot program will involve two parts: 1) technical assistance for development of a plan, and 2) subsequent grant funding from the Ohio Department of Development and partners to jumpstart implementation of the action plan. The pilot program is intended to help communities with multiple brownfield sites that are clustered in a neighborhood, district, block, or corridor. As these sites are connected through infrastructure or geographic location, their negative impacts go beyond nearby properties and may have an economically devastating effect on the larger area including homes, businesses, schools, and recreational areas that are not brownfields. The pilot program will assist communities in identifying priority brownfield sites and developing focused redevelopment strategies. Planning for large brownfield-impacted areas at one time can ensure a more coordinated, efficient and successful path to redevelopment.
What are the objectives of the program?
The Brownfield Action Plan Pilot Program seeks to meet the following objectives: 1) Assist selected communities in developing an assertive brownfield action strategy in a focused economic development area;
2) Produce actionable deliverables for the community such as a brownfield priority list and action
strategy for funding and redevelopment; and
3) Spur communities to swiftly begin implementing their strategy with local, state, and private funding sources.
The pilot will be comprised of two phases. The first phase will involve the applicant receiving technical assistance to complete their Brownfield Action Plan. The second phase will begin upon completion of the Action Plan, and will include grant funding of approximately $50,000 per awardee to jumpstart implementation of their action plan.
When do I apply?
The Division plans to release the Request for Letters of Interest and application form on Thursday, September 1, 2011 with a due date of Friday, October 14, 2011. The Division anticipates awarding up to four pilot projects, which would be notified by the end of November. Who should I contact for additional information?
If you have questions regarding the Brownfield Action Plan Pilot Program, please contact Diane Alecusan at diane.alecusan@development.ohio.gov or call (614) 728-1229.
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