Clean Ohio To Revitalize Ohio's Economy State Issue 2
October 2008
On November 4th, Ohio voters are being asked to renew the Clean Ohio program by voting Yes on State Issue 2. The Clean Ohio program is designed to foster urban redevelopment and to preserve natural areas and greenspace for public use. A bipartisan coalition of business and labor leaders, as well as, scientists, sportsmen, farmers and conservationists are fighting to ensure the renewal of the $400 million bond program. Proponents are quick to point out that the renewal of the program, “Is Not a tax increase.” In fact, the program has been in existence since 2000 and is funded solely through bond proceeds.
Since 2000, the Clean Ohio fund has leveraged nearly $2.6 billion in public and private investment to clean up and revitalize nearly 200 abandoned industrial sites and blighted areas and to preserve thousands of acres of natural greenspace for all Ohioans. Clean Ohio will provide $200 million in funding to businesses, and/or individuals, via local governments, public agencies and non-profits in an effort to lower the cost of urban redevelopment projects. The other $200 million will be used to preserve natural areas, greenspace and farmlands, in connection with federal, local and private conservation projects. Since 2000, northeast Ohio’s seventeen (17) counties have received a total of nearly $140 million from the Clean Ohio program.
The Clean Ohio fund is divided into four (4) programs; administered via several State agencies.
| Programs | Administrative Agency |
| Brownfield Redevelopment | Ohio Department of Development/EPA/ Clean Ohio Council |
| Open Space Conservation | Ohio Publics Works Commission/Natural Resources Assistance Councils |
| Farm Land Preservation | Ohio Department of Agriculture/Farm Land Preservation Advisory Board |
| Recreational Trails | Ohio Department of Natural Resources |
Clean Ohio is endorsed by Democratic and Republican leaders, including Governor Ted Strickland, Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, Senator Sherrod Brown, Senator George Voinovich and House Speaker John Husted, among many others. We have worked closely with Governor Strickland, Lt. Governor Fisher and other leaders of the Clean Ohio campaign to ensure its passage.
For additional information regarding the Clean Ohio program and the process and requirements to obtain funding for your company and/or organization please contact our Public Law Group, c/o Nick York - Tucker Ellis & West LLP, 1150 Huntington Building, Cleveland, Ohio, 44115-1414 (216) 696-5572, nyork@tuckerellis.com.
