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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 6, 2009  

STATE RELEASES 2009 CLEAN OHIO REPORT
Clean Ohio Fund Celebrates First $400 Million

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Development, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio Public Works Commission, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, today announced the release of the 2009 Clean Ohio Report, highlighting the accomplishments of the initial $400 million Clean Ohio Fund. 

“The Clean Ohio Fund gives the state a valuable tool to help clean up Ohio’s environment through activities such as redeveloping brownfields and preserving farmland, which is essential to maintaining Ohio’s heritage and supporting economic growth,” said Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, Chair of the Clean Ohio Council.  “Since its inception, the Clean Ohio Fund has funded projects in nearly all 88 of Ohio’s counties.”  

Originally approved by voters in 2000, the Clean Ohio Fund provides financial support for environmental conservation, preservation, and revitalization activities throughout the state, and is comprised of four distinct competitive programs including:

  • Brownfield Revitalization (Ohio Department of Development and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency) - Brownfield cleanup and redevelopment activities produce physical and visual change as dilapidated buildings are demolished or renovated, and contaminated soil is removed and replaced. 

  • Farmland Preservation (Ohio Department of Agriculture) - The Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program provides funding to assist landowners and communities in preserving Ohio's farmland.
     
  • Green Space Conservation (Ohio Public Works Commission) - The Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program helps to fund preservation of open spaces, sensitive ecological areas, and stream corridors.
     
  • Recreational Trails (Ohio Department of Natural Resources) - The Clean Ohio Trails Fund works to improve outdoor recreational opportunities for Ohioans by funding trails for outdoor pursuits of all kinds. 

The Clean Ohio Fund has shown considerable benefits for Ohio. The Fund has projected the creation and retention of 15,000 jobs, leveraged $119 million in conservation investments, led to the protection of 26,000 acres of family farms, and the construction of 200 miles of multi-purpose trails.  

In November 2008, Ohio voters showed their support for the Clean Ohio Fund by approving Issue 2, authorizing the state to sell $400 million in bonds to continue funding all four Clean Ohio programs. Issue 2 received broad support throughout the state; all 88 counties voted to re-authorize the funding. The passage of Issue 2 enables the Clean Ohio Fund to continue the important work of helping Ohioans by cleaning environmentally damaged industrial sites, building trails, protecting greenspace, and conserving agricultural land. 

To view the full 2009 Clean Ohio Report, visit www.clean.ohio.gov. 

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. For more information on the Clean Ohio Fund, visit www.clean.ohio.gov.

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Media contacts:  Robert Grevey at (614) 466-6619
or the Communications & Marketing Office at (614) 466-2609