Written Testimony to the House Economic and Workforce Development Committee — Proponent Testimony (June 9, 2021)

Summary

Written proponent testimony dated June 9, 2021, to Chair Edwards, Vice Chair Powell, Ranking Member Upchurch and members of the House Economic and Workforce Development Committee, in support of HB 155. The testimony states that HB 155 would create the Land Reutilization Nuisance Abatement Program within the Department of Administrative Services to fund nuisance abatement for blighted properties. It says the bill appropriates $50 million for both fiscal years 2022 and 2023 for grants to county land banks, so long as the receiving land bank commits additional funds equal to or exceeding the grant. It argues that the bill would help alleviate the cost of brownfield remediation.

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        WRITTEN TESTIMONY TO THE HOUSE ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE
                       DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

                                   PROPONENT TESTIMONY

                                            June 9, 2021

Chair Edwards, Vice Chair Powell, Ranking Member Upchurch, and members of the House
Economic and Workforce Development Committee, thank you for the opportunity to write in
support of HB 155.
HB 155 would create the Land Reutilization Nuisance Abatement Program within the
Department of Administrative Services in order to fund the nuisance abatement for blighted
properties. The bill appropriates $50 million for both fiscal years 2022 and 2023 for grants to
county land banks, so long as the land bank receiving the grant commits additional funds equal
to or exceeding the amount of the grant.
As you are aware, a brownfield site is an abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial, commercial,
or institutional property where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by known or potential
releases of hazardous substances or petroleum. The redevelopment of brownfields can provide
many benefits to a community, including an increased tax base, the creation of new jobs, the
utilization of existing infrastructure, and the removal of blight. The removal of contaminants also
helps to protect the health of individuals and the environment.
HB 155 would help alleviate the cost of brownfield remediation. While the demolition and
revitalization of blighted properties benefits both the local and regional economy, many local
communities simply do not have the funding necessary to address the brownfields within their
jurisdiction. This legislation would help ensure cities and villages across Ohio could invest in their
economic health though brownfield remediation.
Blighted properties and especially brownfields are one of the most significant inhibitors to a
communities’ ability to provide robust revitalization efforts, providing greater investment
opportunities and a stronger economic development future. Revitalization efforts not only benefit
the individual community but the entire state. We thank Representatives Upchurch and Smith for
recognizing the need for funding in remediating brownfields in local communities throughout the
state.
Thank you for your consideration, and we urge for the favorable passage of this bill.


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