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Greene County moves to apply for state Brownfield grant and transfer jail properties to CIC for leaseback
Summary
County commissioners authorized applying for Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Remediation Program funds and approved a plan to transfer the county jail and sheriff's administrative office to the Greene County Community Improvement Corporation for a nominal sale and leaseback pending grant awards.
Brad Ruhey, an attorney with Dinsmore & Shohl, told the Greene County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 13 that the Ohio Department of Development is opening a competitive Brownfield Remediation Program window and that Greene County intends to apply for funds to help remediate the county jail and sheriff's administrative office.
Ruhey said the program has $50 million available statewide, individual applicants may request up to $2.5 million, and the program requires a 25% local match. "The window is going to be open starting next Wednesday for up to 30 days," he said, adding the application period may close quickly if applications hit a higher threshold. "You have to prove out the types of remediation and the cost of that remediation."
To meet an application eligibility requirement that the applicant not be the party that caused the hazardous condition, Ruhey said the county will transfer the two properties to the Greene County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) for nominal consideration and then lease them back. He described the planned transaction as a sale and leaseback with a short interim agency agreement so day-to-day operations continue under county control while the paperwork is completed.
Commissioners discussed logistics and praised development staff. "A lot of kudos to [the department of development]," one commissioner said, and the board singled out Christie Tidd for her work on the application. The resolution before the board authorizes participation in the Brownfield program, the sale/transfer and leaseback structure, and related documents including quitclaim deeds.
The board approved the resolution by voice vote. Commissioners present recorded "aye" responses during the roll call on the motion.
If Greene County secures an award under the Brownfield program, county officials said they will be required to demonstrate remediation costs and provide the 25% local match. No dollar figure for the county match was finalized at the meeting; commissioners said final match obligations will depend on the grant award and documented cleanup costs.
