Yesterday, HB675 was introduced in the Ohio House by Rep. Brett Hudson Hillyer (R – Uhrichsville) and Rep. D.J. Swearingen (R – Huron). This legislation provides dedicated funding to the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund (CORF). CORF was highly successful, providing the state with a four-to-one economic return. CORF is recognized as a community-responsive tool for brownfield redevelopment efforts. Therefore, public and private stakeholders agree that providing CORF with a dedicated funding source is the most logical solution to addressing the brownfield remediation need in Ohio’s communities.
Originally, the bonding dollars that funded CORF between 2002 and 2013 were backed by the state’s liquor profits. Today, the state’s liquor agency is leased to JobsOhio – with a portion of the excess liquor profits generated being sent back to the state. Per Ohio Revised Code, these dollars can: 1) pay off bonding debts from the last bondage of CORF and transfer of the liquor enterprise to JobsOhio; 2) fund the GRF; or 3) fund the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund. The bonding debt has been repaid, and since JobsOhio’s creation, the monies have been deposited into the GRF. This legislation directs these dollars to fund the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund. Since CORF was originally backed by the state liquor profits, it is fitting this dedicated funding source be allocated to CORF.
Ohio has the potential to bring millions of dollars in additional investment, enhance job growth, and foster economic development through the renewed investment in brownfield redevelopment. Between 2002 and 2013, Ohio’s investment in the CORF program provided the state with a more than four to one economic return – averaging more than $1 billion annually in contributions to the GDP.
CORF is designed to be flexible, sustainable, and complementary to existing environmental remediation programs at the state and federal levels – and fills a necessary gap in brownfields funding. Current state and federal programs have highly competitive application processes, restrictive site types and uses, and oftentimes only offer loans. This makes it difficult for weak-market and older communities to effectively compete for funding and utilize it for their identified needs.
Earlier this month, the Ohio Legislature unanimously passed HB168 – regulatory reform legislation to encourage brownfield redevelopment in the state. HB168 provides an affirmative defense for liability protections to purchasers of brownfields properties. This legislation will encourage the redevelopment of lightly contaminated brownfields in the state.
GOPC has long advocated for the need to have regulatory reforms and increased funding to encourage brownfield redevelopment in the state. HB675 fills the gap in brownfields funding, which will assist Ohio’s communities in the ability to put these blighted properties to use – creating jobs, revitalizing their downtowns, and boosting the economy.
Thank you to Reps. Hillyer and Swearingen for introducing HB675 and GOPC looks forward to working to see this legislation joins HB168 in bringing about needed brownfield redevelopment in Ohio.