What We Do
Greater Ohio Policy Center endeavors to unlock the potential of Ohio’s 9,000+ former industrial and commercial sites that are unusable in their current condition. GOPC has docummented the positive economic impact that brownfield cleanups can have on Ohio’s cities and town. Additionally, GOPC is a leading voice on policy changes that allow former industrial sites to be put back into productive use.
Identifying Potential Funding Options for a Brownfield Clean-up Program
Ohio has the potential to bring in millions of dollars in additional tax revenue, provide jobs, and create new housing options if we seize the opportunity to redevelop the over 9,000 environmentally contaminated brownfields throughout the state. Found in every county, these former industrial and commercial sites are unusable for new development in their current condition. These blighted properties discourage investment and create barriers to job creation across the state.
GOPC, working with public and private partners, is developing and stewarding a statewide "Clean Ohio 2.0" initiative to advocate for improved investment and regulatory reform by the State of Ohio for brownfield redevelopment projects.
Click here to learn more about GOPC’s recommended funding options for CORF 2.0.
Documenting the Impact of Successful Brownfield Clean-ups
It can cost $15,000 to $35,000 to remediate one brownfield acre. Research by GOPC and others shows that the high cost of brownfield remediation is more than paid back through the economic output of the clean-up itself, new construction, and ongoing tax revenues from the new businesses or homes on the remediated site.
GOPC uses economic impact analyses, interviews with local partners, and ongoing research to educating policymakers on the extraordinary economic benefits of brownfield remediation and redevelopment. Check out our 2013 report "Investing in Brownfields" to learn more about the economic impacts of brownfield remediation.
Click here to learn more about Ohio’s brownfield success stories.
Related Publications
Investing In Brownfields: The Economic Benefits of the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund
Based on 21 CORF projects selected for diversity in their degree and type of end use, geographic location, and other characteristics, the GOPC study found the CORF generated substantial direct and indirect economic impacts.
Other Research
There is a wealth of knowledge exists about the benefits of brownfield remediation and the best practices for public expenditure in brownfield clean-ups.
Additional Resources
Brownfields 101: Informational Deck
GOPC has prepared an informational deck to touch upon brownfields, previous/current redevelopment work in Ohio, and GOPC's "Clean Ohio 2.0" vision for brownfields redevelopment in Ohio.
U.S. EPA Brownfields
Program & Resources
EPA’s Brownfields Program provides grants and technical assistance to communities, states, tribes and others to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated properties.
Greater Ohio Summit 2017 - Brownfield Presentations
Check out slides and presentations from our 2017 Summit Brownfield panel.
