COLUMBUS, Ohio – Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Development announced a major $7.3 million investment today aimed at cleaning up local neighborhoods and spurring economic growth. The grants, part of the Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, will fund the removal of unsafe, dilapidated buildings in 32 counties, including several key awards in Central and South-Central Ohio.
The program, created by Governor DeWine in 2021, aims to clear away “blight” to make room for new housing, businesses, and improved community quality of life.
Local Impact: Pickaway, Ross, Fairfield, and Fayette Counties
Four neighboring counties in our region were featured in this first batch of funding. Each of Ohio’s 88 counties has approximately $230,000 reserved for these efforts, and local leaders have until May 1 to finalize the specific sites for demolition.
Pickaway County
The Pickaway County Port Authority was awarded its full $230,000 allocation. The high-priority project identified for this round is located at 117 Pinkney Street in Circleville for an assessment of the property and to help renovate the inside of the building.
Ross County
Ross County is also set to utilize its $230,000 award. While the county has until the May 1 deadline to submit its final list of specific addresses to the state, local officials are identifying several “high-blight” structures that have long been a concern for residents and safety services.
Fairfield County
The Fairfield County Land Reutilization Corp. has already identified $80,000 in initial projects. The first structures slated for demolition include:
- 8005 Benson Road (Carroll)
- 5507 Orchid Drive (Thornville)
Fayette County
The Fayette County Land Reutilization Corp. is moving aggressively, utilizing its full $230,000 grant to address a massive list of nine properties in Washington Court House. Key sites include buildings on Delaware Street, South Main Street, and Broadway Street.
Clearing the Way for Progress
“Each demolition clears the way for something better — whether that’s new housing, new businesses, or new opportunities that strengthen neighborhoods,” said Governor DeWine.
Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, added that removing these structures is often the first step in attracting new investment. “Sometimes the best way to move a community forward is by clearing away what’s holding it back,” she said.
Program Success by the Numbers
To date, the Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program has been one of the most active in state history:
- Total Invested: Over $310 million.
- Total Projects: Nearly 6,200 buildings razed.
- Scope: Projects have been funded in every single Ohio county.
The program is a key pillar of the Ohio BUILDS Initiative, which also focuses on water infrastructure, broadband expansion, and brownfield redevelopment.
