MOUNT VERNON — Gov. Mike DeWine has announced that Knox County will receive $107,800 in brownfield assessment grants through his Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program.
The money is part of nearly $2.4 million allocated for 15 assessment projects. Another $55.9 million targets 46 cleanup/remediation projects.
“Thanks to the state assessment grants, we can market these properties confidently for redevelopment and reuse,” Knox County Land Bank Vice President Sam Filkins said. “Many factors are considered when a transaction involves an existing industrial space, and obtaining an updated assessment is one of the most important steps.
“This way both the buyer and the Knox County Land Bank have a complete picture of the property.”
The brownfield assessment grants will reimburse the land bank for three projects:
•$42,680 for the future Knox Area Transit site. County officials expect the transit hub to retain 45 jobs and enhance transportation services for the community.
•$31,750 for Plant 4 in Heartland Commerce Park. Ohio Truck Equipment, a subsidiary of the Robertson Trucking Group, bought the plant in June.
•$33,550 for multiple properties in Heartland Commerce Park
The DeWine-Husted administration created the program in 2021. Since then, the Department of Development has awarded more than $560 million to support 550 projects in 86 counties.
The Brownfield Remediation Program is part of DeWine’s Ohio BUILDS Initiative, which focuses on supporting targeted solutions that impact quality of life.
Examples include water infrastructure improvements, broadband expansion, brownfield redevelopment, and demolishing blighted buildings.
