COLUMBUS, Ohio — Cleanup projects in Jackson and Gallia counties are among those receiving state funding as the Ohio Department of Development announced more than $1.2 million in awards through two economic development programs.
The funding includes grants through the Abandoned Gas Station Cleanup Grant, which supports the assessment and remediation of former gas and service stations with documented petroleum contamination.
In Gallia County, the Gallia County Land Reutilization Corporation will receive $232,856 for cleanup work at the former Elkins General Store in Bidwell. The funding will be used for site assessment, design activities to remove contaminated soil, remedial excavation, and preparation of a well-abandonment summary. After the cleanup, the proposed use of the property is a commercial storage building to accommodate farm equipment or county roadwork equipment. If commercial development is not feasible, the site could be used for a single-family home or duplex.
In Jackson County, the Jackson County Land Reutilization Corporation was awarded $85,415 for a cleanup project at Sour Run Road in Jackson. Planned work includes site assessment, exposure modeling, removal of approximately 160 tons of soil, and well abandonment. The site is located near U.S. Route 35 and is intended to be marketed as a buildable location for commercial development following remediation.
State officials said six communities statewide will benefit from the Abandoned Gas Station Cleanup Grant. Additional projects were funded in Troy, Kirkersville, Cincinnati, and the Village of Rutland.
The department also announced funding through the Regional 166 Direct Loan Program, which provides low-interest loans to businesses with limited access to private capital. Through the program, XP Investments, LLC will receive $273,750 to assist in the purchase of a commercial building in Ravenna, a project expected to create 10 new jobs and retain 16 existing positions.
The Ohio Department of Development said the funding is intended to support environmental cleanup, redevelopment, and economic growth across the state.