Department of Development | News Room

CITY OF STRUTHERS TO RECEIVE NEARLY $177,000 FROM CLEAN OHIO ASSISTANCE FUND FOR BROWNFIELD REDVELOPMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2004

Columbus, OH -- State Development Director Bruce Johnson has awarded the City of Struthers, located in Mahoning County, nearly $177,000 to help in the cleanup of potentially contaminated land at the former Youngstown Sheet & Tube Coke Plant. The money is from the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund, dedicated to brownfield redevelopment in eligible areas.

“By helping fund the clean up of this brownfield project, the City of Struthers will come closer to transforming this property into a viable, new economic development,” said Johnson. “These efforts will eventually lead to new manufacturing jobs in this community.”

The City of Struthers will receive $176,762 in Clean Ohio Assistance funds, pending State Controlling Board approval, to conduct a Phase II Environmental Assessment on the 27-acre property, which has been vacant since the early 1980s. A Phase II Assessment involves completing sampling activities designed to determine the amount and extent of contamination at the property; and preparing a report describing the activities, process and results of the investigation.

The City has entered into a public-private partnership with Astro Development, LLC, which has committed to redeveloping the property for commercial/manufacturing purposes after completion of the assessment and, if necessary, any remediation to the property. The property’s new use is expected to create manufacturing jobs for the community.

Money from the $10 million Clean Ohio Assistance Fund must be used for Phase I and II Environmental Assessments, brownfield redevelopment or public health projects. Projects located in situational distressed, inner distressed, distressed or labor surplus cities are eligible for funding. Projects are evaluated based on economic benefit; environmental improvement, including public health benefit; appropriateness and reasonableness of the proposed project and the financial condition of the community.

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