A new APEG program is helping improve the region’s best sites for industrial development.
In the fourth quarter, a total of $65,210 in Site Readiness Grants were made to support planning and engineering studies like wetlands determination, sewer flow and environmental site assessments. The counties receiving grants provided matching funds.
According to Mike Jacoby, VP for business development, the program was initiated in response to instances when site selection visits uncovered site deficiencies.
“Many of our sites just weren’t as ready as they need to be; there were missing pieces of due diligence that were critical to the company looking at the site,” said Jacoby. “We had three consultant-led site visits in 2016 where there was a question on the site visit whether or not the site contained wetlands. In a consultant’s mind, those are time, money and risk factors that get sites cut.”
With APEG assistance, communities can study sites so suspected wetlands are delineated or archeologically sensitive areas are identified in advance. Problem areas can be carved out so only developable acreage is sold to businesses eliminating delays in site development, or a path to permitting site impacts is laid out ahead of time.
The goal is helping communities get the information on their best sites as complete as possible to compete for projects.
“Our county partners were given the opportunity to submit grant applications for sites they are working to improve. While we couldn’t meet every request, we were able to provide at least one grant to each county that applied. This will help remove risks associated with the unknowns of a site, time delays and upfront costs on a site,” said Donna Hrezo, site advisor. Hrezo is spearheading the program which will continue in 2017.
Contact: Donna Hrezo at donna@ohiose.com
