Urban Development | What We Do

What We Do
The Urban Development Division removes obstacles to sustainable revitalization of Ohio’s urban places and buildings with innovative financing, critical resources, and redevelopment expertise. See our programs and initiatives below for more information.

Brownfield Planning, Assessment, and Remediation

Clean Ohio Brownfield Fund
 The Clean Ohio Brownfield funds are key financial components to helping communities build economic capacity by providing the funds needed for brownfield assessment and redevelopment. Local forms of government are eligible for funding to conduct cleanup, demolition, and environmental assessment activities. Learn more

Brownfield Action Plan Pilot Program
The Brownfield Action Plan Pilot program offers technical assistance and grant funding for the development and implementation of an action plan for a brownfield-impacted area. The program is open to local and regional governments, nonprofits, and port authorities. Learn more

Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund
The Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund offers below-market-rate loans to assist with the remediation of brownfield properties to return them to productive economic use in the community. Municipalities, nonprofits, and private entities can apply for program funding to conduct remediation activities at eligible sites. Learn more

OWDA Brownfield Loan Program
The OWDA Brownfield Loan Program offers low-interest loans for the assessment and remediation of brownfields. The loan is available to local forms of government as well as private entities for assessments, demolition, remediation, and consultant costs. Learn more

Auto Legacy Initiative
The Auto Legacy Initiative was created to assist communities, developers, and end users in navigating the environmental cleanup process at former automotive plants. The effort creates incentive packages that will help repurpose these properties for economic development. Learn more

Local Government Innovation

Local Government Innovation Fund
The Local Government Innovation Fund offers grant and loan funds for projects that will create more efficient and effective service delivery within a specific discipline of government services for one or more entities. Learn more

Preparing Sites for Development

Ohio Job Ready Sites
The Ohio Job Ready Sites program provides grants to bolster the State of Ohio's portfolio of commercial and industrial developable sites. Eligible entities for funding assistance include political subdivisions, nonprofit economic development organizations, and private, for-profit entities that obtain prior written approval from the Director. Learn more

Investment in Low-Income Communities

Ohio New Markets Tax Credits
The Ohio New Markets Tax Credit Program helps to finance businesses or real estate investments in low-income communities by providing investors with state tax credits in exchange for delivering below market rate investment options to Ohio businesses. Learn more

Historic Preservation

Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits
The Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program provides a tax credit for 25 percent of Qualified Rehabilitation Expenditures for historic rehabilitation projects (up to $5 million). The tax credit is for owners of historically significant buildings that will have a significant economic impact on the community. Learn more

Sustainable Infrastructure

Alternative Stormwater Infrastructure Loan
The Alternative Stormwater Infrastructure Loan Program offers low-interest loans for the construction of alternative stormwater infrastructure projects. The loan is available to local forms of government for demolition, construction of infrastructure, and consultant costs. Learn more

Regional Business Clusters

Ohio Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity
The Ohio Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity (Ohio Hubs) are regional economic development initiatives that build upon leading assets in our urban centers to propel innovation, create and retain jobs, and catalyze the formation of new companies in the region. Learn more