SitemapThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that $5.5 million in brownfield grants will be going to six Ohio communities to accelerate cleanup of polluted sites across the state.
The grants will fund environmental assessments and cleanup plans for brownfields, which are blighted sites that strain local economies and limit development opportunities.
The funding aims to transform these properties into spaces that can support economic growth and job creation.
The Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation was awarded $500,000 of the grant money. Funds will be used for environmental site assessments, developing six cleanup plans, and to assist with reuse planning and community engagement.
Primary beneficiaries include the 60-acre former National Acme Manufacturing site in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland, as well as a 25-acre former General Electric light bulb plant and a 40-acre former brick-making operation, both in Collinwood. Several other vacant industrial sites and a rail corridor are also the focus of assistance.
A $1.5 million award is headed to Lorain County. Money will be applied to environmental site assessments, as well as cleanup, resuse planning, and community engagement.
Main areas of attention include the nearly 2-acre former Eastwood School, a roughly 1-acre former Dollar General store and an almost 1.5-acre former gas tation, each in Oberlin. The nearly 9-acre vacant McKinley School in Elyria is also among the grant recipients.
“EPA is focused on delivering practical results that transform contaminated properties into clean, valuable spaces that spark economic growth and that directly benefit American families,” said Thomas Croci, acting assistant administrator for land and emergency management.
The Stark Economic Development Board also received a $1.5 million award. The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation is in line for $1 million, while Muskingum County and Toledo will be getting $500,000.
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