COLUMBUS, Ohio — Attorney General Dave Yost announced a second round of funding through his “Shine a Light on Dumpers” initiative on Earth Day, making another $1 million in grants available to help local communities across Ohio clean up illegal dump sites and prevent future dumping.
Local governments can apply for up to $100,000 for illegal dump site cleanup and up to $20,000 for preventive measures, including signs, gates, and barriers. Funding comes from settlement dollars secured by the Environmental Enforcement Section of the attorney general’s office.
The application period opened Monday and runs through July 31 or until funds are exhausted. The attorney general’s office expects to review applications on a rolling basis with the goal of awarding and distributing funds by the end of 2026.
The announcement builds on the first round of grants awarded in 2025, which supported 31 projects statewide. Yost’s office said the volume of applications from the first round made clear that local governments needed the program.
Alongside the application period, the attorney general’s Environmental Enforcement team will host a series of trainings for local law enforcement and municipal officials on how to investigate and deter illegal dumping.
The Shine a Light on Dumpers initiative was launched in 2023 and combines enforcement support, public education, equipment resources, and grant funding.
Local governments interested in applying can visit the Ohio Attorney General’s website for application information.