Earlier this week, the Ohio Chamber submitted proponent testimony on Senate Bill 84, which directs excess liquor profits from JobsOhio to the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund (CORF) to assist in brownfield remediation.

Brownfields are lightly contaminated, former industrial and commercial sites that are currently not used for development. These blighted sites are found in every county throughout the state, in both rural and urban communities. Brownfields often discourage investment and create barriers to job creation and economic development due to the cost and risk of environmental contamination cleanup.

Ohio has the potential to bring in additional investment, enhance job growth and foster economic development through the renewed investment in brownfield redevelopment; therefore, we recognize the need for the return of a statewide investment in brownfield development. Senate Bill 84 will help boost investment in Ohio by directing excess liquor profits returned to the state from JobsOhio to fund the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund (CORF), which is a dedicated brownfield redevelopment program that Ohio invested in from 2002-2013. Section 4313.02(B) of the Ohio Revised Code explicitly states that excess liquor profits returned to the state can be allocated to fund CORF, and since CORF was originally backed by the state liquor profits, it is fitting this dedicated funding source be allocated to the fund. Since the creation of JobsOhio, these dollar amounts have been deposited into the state’s GRF. By dedicating these dollars to CORF, all communities across Ohio, particularly small and mid-sized, will have additional resources to attract new and expanding businesses.

Ohio has the potential to bring in millions of dollars in additional investment, create jobs and spur economic and community development through the return the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund by favorably recommending Senate Bill 84. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce urges its swift passage.