CANTON TO RECEIVE $372,000 TO CLEAN UP FORMER BISON CORPORATION BROWNFIELD SITE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2005

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today announced that $372,000 from the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund (COAF) has been awarded to the City of Canton to conduct brownfield clean-up activities at the former Bison Corporation property.

“I’m confident that this funding will help the City of Canton to begin transforming the former Bison property into a viable location for future economic development,” said Johnson, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “These efforts will hopefully lead to future economic and community investment in the area, resulting in the creation of good jobs for Ohioans in the region.”

The COAF funds, approved by the State Controlling Board, will be used to conduct a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment of soil and groundwater contaminants on the 4.7-acre property, located at 1935 Allen Avenue SE. The property was used to store and distribute chlorinated solvents and metals since 1951.

The grant funds will be used for assessment activities including: groundwater monitoring; well installation; soil and groundwater sampling; asbestos sampling; groundwater pump testing; and preparation of a report that describes the result of these activities and the extent of the soil and groundwater contaminant plumes. Once remediated, the property is expected to be redeveloped by a commercial or industrial user.

Money from the $10 million COAF must be used for Phase I and II Environmental Site 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.