Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted on Tuesday announced that 2,277 blighted and vacant structures in 42 counties — including 473 structures in Youngstown — will be demolished to pave the way for new economic development and housing opportunities across the state.

The Mahoning County Land Reutilization Corporation will demolish the 473 vacant, badly blighted residential properties throughout Youngstown to stabilize the housing market and revitalize neighborhoods. Once demolished, these lots will transition to greenspaces with plans to potentially develop the properties for housing, commercial, and industrial use.

The buildings will be razed as part of the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program. The DeWine-Husted administration created the program to help local communities demolish dilapidated commercial and residential buildings and revitalize surrounding properties to attract investments, businesses, and jobs. 

State Rep. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, said he supports $6.86 million in funding coming to Mahoning County through the program. Mahoning County has received the funding for 596 various projects, including those in Youngsgtown.

“We’re looking to invest and revitalize many parts of the Mahoning Valley, creating jobs and boosting our economic opportunities across the region,” Cutrona said. “I’m proud to have supported this initiative and look forward to the development of these projects.”

The projects announced Tuesday are in addition to the 825 demolition projects announced in October. These will be funded with the Ohio Demolition and Site Revitalization Program set-aside grants announced for the 42 counties, including Mahoning, in July. Thirteen counties will also receive additional program funding totaling $35.3 million to cover expenses in excess of the initial set-aside grants.

“We’re not just tearing down dilapidated buildings, we’re helping to make communities across the state better places to start a business, raise a family, and build a bright future,” said DeWine.

In total, the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program will award nearly $150 million in grants for projects across the state. Details on demolition projects in additional counties will be provided in the coming weeks.

The grants are funded as part of the 2021 state biennium budget bill, House Bill 110, which requires grants to be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Looking at the plans that some of our communities have for these sites, itás clear there are numerous opportunities for growth,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Removing this blight has the potential to increase property values and revitalize local housing markets in addition to removing safety hazards and opening doors for more businesses to set up shop throughout the state.”