News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today advised local communities of the upcoming deadline for the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund (CORF) Round Four awards on March 23, 2007. The CORF is a statewide competitive program that provides grants of up to $3 million to acquire property, demolish structures, conduct environmental cleanup and improve infrastructure on or serving a brownfield property. Since its inception, 49 CORF projects have been awarded more than $116 million, which has leveraged $1.7 billion in private sector investment and created 9,662 jobs. Approximately $43 million is expected to be awarded in October 2007, when the Clean Ohio Council determines which projects will receive Round Four CORF grant funds.

"The State of Ohio is committed to revitalizing its urban areas to become a viable asset for community and economic growth," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development and Chair of the Clean Ohio Council. The Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund is an excellent resource to help our neighborhoods and communities bring new capital and vitality back into Ohio's local economies.

In November 2000, Ohio voters approved the Clean Ohio Fund providing $200 million for brownfield redevelopment activities and $200 million for the preservation of green space. The CORF defines brownfields as abandoned, idled, or under-used commercial, industrial or institutional property where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by known or potential releases of hazardous substances or petroleum. Counties, townships, municipalities, port authorities and park or conservancy districts are eligible to apply for CORF.

The projects are evaluated using criteria that include economic benefit and environmental improvement. The funded projects will result in economic development in portions of Ohio's older communities, which are being left behind as the economy and cities change.

In 2002, approximately $40 million in grants were awarded to 17 projects for Round One of the CORF fund. In 2003, approximately $36.6 million in grants were awarded to 17 projects for Round Two and in 2005, approximately $40.4 million in grants were awarded to 15 projects in Round Three. CORF program information and schedule can be found at www.odod.state.oh.us/UD/CORFRoundFour.htm.



Media contacts: Erica Revish at (614) 644-1931 or Maria Smith at (614) 466-2382