(A)(1) There is hereby created the building demolition and site revitalization program to award grants for the demolition of commercial and residential buildings and revitalization of surrounding properties on sites that are not brownfields. The program shall be administered by the director of development pursuant to this section and rules adopted pursuant to division (A)(2) of this section.

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(2) The director shall adopt rules, under Chapter 119 of the Revised Code, for the administration of the program. The rules shall include provisions for determining project and project sponsor eligibility, program administration, and any other provisions the director finds necessary.

(3) The director shall ensure that the program is operational and accepting proposals for grants not later than ninety days after September 30, 2021.

(4) To streamline funding through the program, each county shall have one lead entity designated in accordance with the following:

(a) If the county has a population of less than one hundred thousand according to the most recent federal decennial census, the director shall select the lead entity from a list of recommendations made by the board of county commissioners of the county. The board shall submit a lead entity letter of intent and any other documentation required by the director in order for the director to select a lead entity for that county.

(b) If the county has a population of one hundred thousand or more according to the most recent federal decennial census and the county does not have a county land reutilization corporation, the director shall select the lead entity from a list of recommendations made by the board of county commissioners of the county. The board shall submit a lead entity letter of intent and any other documentation required by the director in order for the director to select a lead entity for that county.

(c) If the county has a population of one hundred thousand or more according to the most recent federal decennial census and the county has a county land reutilization corporation, the county land reutilization corporation is the lead entity for that county.

(5) The lead entity of each county shall submit all grant applications for that county. The lead entity shall submit with a grant application any agreements executed between the lead entity with other recipients that will receive grant money through the lead entity, if applicable. Such recipients may include local governments, nonprofit organizations, community development corporations, regional planning commissions, county land reutilization corporations, and community action agencies.

(B)(1) There is hereby created in the state treasury the building demolition and site revitalization fund. The fund shall consist of moneys appropriated to it by the general assembly, and investment earnings on moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund.

(2) The director shall reserve funds from each appropriation to the fund to each county in the state. The amount reserved shall be five hundred thousand dollars per county, or, if an appropriation is less than forty-four million dollars, a proportionate amount to each county. Amounts reserved pursuant to this section are reserved for one calendar year from the date of the appropriation. After one calendar year, the funds shall be available pursuant to division (B)(3) of this section.

(3) Funds from an appropriation not reserved under division (B)(2) of this section shall be available for grants to projects located anywhere in the state, and grants from those funds shall be awarded to qualifying projects on a first-come, first-served basis. Grants awarded pursuant to this division shall be limited to seventy-five per cent of a project’s total cost.