Ohio Administrative Code Title 122:18 - Shovel Ready Site Program
The Ohio Administrative Code, Title 122:18 – Shovel Ready Site Program outlines the regulations for the Shovel Ready Site Program in Ohio. This program is designed to assist local communities in preparing sites for new businesses or industrial development by ensuring that these sites meet certain standards for immediate construction and development. The goal is to attract investment and create jobs by making it easier for businesses to set up operations quickly on sites that are fully prepared for development.
Key Areas Covered
General Provisions
Purpose and Authority: Establishes the mission and legal authority of the Shovel Ready Site Program, which is administered by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). The primary goal is to streamline the site preparation process for businesses, making it more attractive for companies to relocate or expand in Ohio.
Definitions: Provides definitions for terms such as "shovel-ready site," "site certification," "infrastructure improvements," and other key phrases. These definitions are critical for understanding what qualifies as a "shovel-ready" site and what the program entails.
Eligibility Criteria: Specifies which sites are eligible for the program. These sites are typically commercial or industrial properties that are ready for immediate construction, with necessary infrastructure like roads, utilities, and zoning already in place or being improved.
Site Certification Process
Application Process: Describes how property owners or local governments can apply to have a site certified as “shovel-ready.” This involves submitting documentation that proves the site meets specific criteria, such as the availability of utilities, road access, environmental assessments, and zoning compliance.
Site Review: Outlines the process of evaluating whether a site meets the program’s minimum standards for certification. The review includes assessing the site’s physical infrastructure, such as water, sewage, power, and gas services, as well as the site’s environmental condition and potential for development.
Certification Standards: Lists the standards that must be met for a site to be certified, including:
Adequate Infrastructure: The site must have access to essential utilities (water, electricity, sewer, gas).
Zoning Compliance: The site must be properly zoned for commercial or industrial use.
Environmental Due Diligence: The site must undergo an environmental assessment to ensure it is suitable for development and does not have significant contamination or other environmental barriers.
Transportation Access: The site should be located near major transportation routes, such as highways or railroads, to facilitate the movement of goods and employees.
Funding and Support
Financial Assistance: The program may offer financial incentives or grants to local governments or property owners to help prepare sites for certification. This includes funding for site cleanup, environmental assessments, infrastructure improvements, and other costs associated with making a site ready for development.
Reimbursement for Site Preparation: Local governments or site owners may be eligible for reimbursement for costs incurred during the preparation and certification process. The amount and type of financial assistance depend on the specific needs of the site and the region.
Technical Assistance: The program may provide technical support to help communities navigate the certification process, including assistance with environmental studies, zoning approvals, and other regulatory requirements.
Benefits of Certification
Increased Attractiveness to Businesses: Once a site is certified as shovel-ready, it becomes more attractive to potential investors and businesses looking to expand or relocate. The certification signifies that the site has been thoroughly vetted and is prepared for immediate construction, which can save time and reduce development costs for companies.
Enhanced Economic Development: By certifying sites, Ohio seeks to increase job creation and attract new industries, particularly those in high-growth sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and technology.
Competitive Advantage: Certified sites are more competitive when businesses are looking to establish new operations, as they can begin construction immediately without waiting for site preparation activities. This gives Ohio a competitive edge over other states that may not have shovel-ready sites.
Site Maintenance and Oversight
Periodic Review: Sites that have been certified must undergo periodic reviews to ensure they continue to meet the necessary requirements for development. If any issues arise, such as changes in infrastructure or zoning, the site may lose its shovel-ready status until corrections are made.
Maintaining Certification: Certified sites must maintain their status by ensuring that the infrastructure remains in place and that the site is ready for immediate development. If the site falls out of compliance with the program’s criteria, it may be delisted, which could affect its attractiveness to developers.
Partnership with Local Governments and Development Authorities
Local Government Participation: Local governments, such as municipalities and counties, play a key role in the Shovel Ready Site Program by providing support for infrastructure improvements, obtaining environmental clearances, and assisting with the site certification process.
Collaboration with Economic Development Organizations: The program often involves collaboration with local and regional economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and other stakeholders to market shovel-ready sites to potential investors.
Regional Coordination: The program encourages regional coordination among local governments to identify high-potential sites and to work together to make sites shovel-ready in a way that benefits the broader region's economic development goals.
Program Monitoring and Reporting
Tracking and Reporting: The Ohio Department of Development tracks the progress of certified sites, monitoring their usage and development. Local governments or property owners may be required to submit periodic reports on the status of the site and any development that occurs.
Success Metrics: The program may measure its success by tracking the number of businesses attracted to shovel-ready sites, the number of jobs created, and the overall economic impact of the sites that have been developed.
Public Notification and Marketing
Marketing Shovel-Ready Sites: The Ohio Department of Development actively markets certified shovel-ready sites to national and international businesses. This includes listing certified sites in business development resources and promoting them through various marketing channels.
Public Awareness: The program may also engage in public outreach and awareness campaigns to encourage communities to participate in the program and to highlight the benefits of having shovel-ready sites available for business investment.
Purpose of Title 122:18 – Shovel Ready Site Program
The primary objectives of the Shovel Ready Site Program are to:
Prepare land for immediate business use by ensuring sites are ready for construction without delay, providing a competitive advantage to Ohio over other states.
Attract businesses to Ohio by offering them well-prepared, certified sites that are equipped with necessary infrastructure and regulatory clearances.
Support local economic development by helping communities and regions develop shovel-ready sites that can attract new industries and create jobs.
Increase the speed of development for businesses looking to expand or relocate, saving them time and resources in the site preparation phase.
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