Press Room >> 2009 Press Releases For Immediate Release GOVERNOR, PATT-MCDANIEL ANNOUNCE $750,000 CLEAN OHIO COLUMBUS – Governor Ted Strickland and Ohio Department of Development Interim Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel today announced that a $750,000 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant was approved by the State Controlling Board for the City of Columbus to assist in remediation activities on the B & T Metals and Eickholt Glass property. Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grants are awarded to aid in brownfield redevelopment of Ohio’s urban areas. “The Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grants are an excellent resource for Ohio’s communities to improve their physical assets and revitalize urban areas,” said Patt-McDaniel. “We are pleased to offer this grant to the City of Columbus to assist in redeveloping the B & T Metals and Eickholt Glass property which will help attract business and create jobs for local citizens.” The Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant will be used to remediate soil, remove waste, and abate asbestos at the project property located at 425 – 435 and 401 West Town Street. Upon completion of remediation, Brick Investment Corporation and its affiliate, Smart Growth, plan to transform the 4.03-acre property into 130 new residences, along with a creative center comprised of an arts theater, gallery, retail space, coffee shop, and office space. The project is expected to create approximately 157 jobs. The Clean Ohio Assistance Fund is a program of the Clean Ohio Fund, which restores, protects, and connects Ohio's important natural and urban places by preserving green space and farmland, improving outdoor recreation, and by cleaning up brownfields to encourage redevelopment and revitalize communities. The Clean Ohio Fund is part of the $1.57 billion bipartisan Job Stimulus Plan, which aims to create new jobs while laying the foundation for future economic prosperity. In the Job Stimulus Plan $400 million was set aside for the Clean Ohio Fund. The Clean Ohio Assistance Fund is an open cycle program that provides grant dollars for Phase II Environmental Assessment and Brownfield Cleanup/Public Health Projects. To date, 121 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund projects have been awarded totaling $45.4 million. Of the 121 projects, 40 were for cleanup projects which leveraged more than $400 million and are expected to create more than 4,000 jobs. For more information on about the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund visit www.clean.ohio.gov. The Urban Development Division assists communities with place-based redevelopment which creates wealth from personal, business and community successes. The Urban Development Division works to identify the resources and financing necessary to enhance the economic viability of local communities. Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the non-profit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is absolutely necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio’s future. # # # Media contacts: Eileen Turner at 614.728.6674 or
June 1, 2009
ASSISTANCE FUND GRANT TO CITY OF COLUMBUS
the Communications & Marketing Office at 614.466.2609