Quick Links

The Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund provides low-interest long-term financing and grant funding for the cleanup and subsequent redevelopment of brownfield properties. A "brownfield" is defined as an abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial, commercial, or institutional property where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by known or potential releases of hazardous substances or petroleum.

Eligible Applicants

  • Applicant is in good standing with applicable governmental entities (i.e. current on federal, state and local income tax, property tax, utilities, code violations, fees).
  • For-profit and non-profit entities can apply for brownfield RLF loans.
  • Only non-profit entities can apply for Brownfield RLF grants.
  • Properties must be located in Lucas County.
  • Applicants currently under regulatory program compliance are not eligible for funding.
  • Applicants must demonstrate ability to repay the loan.
  • Loan recipient must retain ownership of the site throughout the loan period.

Eligible Applicants

  • Removing, mitigating, or preventing the release or threat of a release of hazardous substance, pollutant, contaminant, petroleum product, or controlled substance into the environment.
  • Asbestos abatement.
  • Oversight of cleanup activities.
  • Excavation, consolidation or removal of contaminated soils.
  • Removal of source materials, including free product
  • Sampling related to implementation of a selected cleanup plan.
  • Installation of drainage controls.
  • Capping of contaminated soils.
  • Removal of drums, barrels, tanks, or other bulk containers that contain or may contain hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants, including petroleum.
  • Site monitoring activities, including sampling and analysis that are reasonable and necessary during the cleanup process, including determination of the effectiveness of cleanup.

Ineligible Expenses

  • Pre-cleanup activities such as site assessment.
  • Addressing drinking water supplies.
  • Work required under existing permits.
  • Lead abatement.
  • Demolition, construction and development activities.
  • Environmental insurance.

Program Guidelines

  • The maximum Brownfield RLF loan for a single project is $100,000 and the minimum is $25,000.
  • The maximum Brownfield RLF grant for a single project is $100,000 and the minimum is $25,000.
  • The Brownfield RLF loan may fund 100 percent of the eligible project cost.
  • The Brownfield RLF grant may fund 50 percent of the eligible project cost up to the limit of the grant amount.
  • The Brownfield RLF grant will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis following the submittal, review and approval of eligible expenses per the grant agreement.
  • Loan and grant recipients must employ a Qualified Environmental Professional to verify that properties are being cleaned to an applicable standard.
  • All projects must follow the Voluntary Action Plan / Memorandum of Understanding process established by USEPA and Ohio EPA.

Application Process

  1. The applicant must submit a letter including any supporting documentation necessary to the Department of Economic Development.
  2. If the funding request qualifies for program eligibility and financial feasibility, it will be submitted to the Department of Economic Development Loan Review Committee for review and recommendation.
  3. The Loan Review Committee may reject any loan or grant application and the applicant will be provided with the reason for application rejection.
  4. Once the Loan Review Committee has approved a loan or grant application, a contract will be drafted. For loans, once all of the contract documents are executed (including signature by the Mayor), a check will be requested. For grants, project expenses are eligible once all of the contract documents are executed (including signature by the Mayor).
  5. The interest rate of the loan will be set at below market rates and fixed for the life of the loan. The terms of the loan can be variable and with Committee approval.

Application Documents

Applicants should prepare a letter outlining the project's economic development impact, financial feasibility of the project, and the environmental conditions at play.

Applicants applying for a Brownfield RLF loan will be required to submit a business plan that will include but not be limited to the following information:

  • Three years historical financial statements (balance sheet, profit/loss statement)
  • Three years projected financial statements
  • One year month-by-month cash flow statements
  • Personal financial statement (10% ownership or more)
  • History of business and description of new project
  • Sources and uses of funds statement
  • Resumes of officers and key management personnel

Application Process and Timeline

Application Submission

Submit an application and supporting documentation to the Department of Economic Development using ZoomGrants. Failure to submit a complete application and required documentation will delay the review and approval process.

Required documentation includes:

  • Tax Registration Form
  • Vendor Registration Form
  • W-9
  • Operating Agreement
  • Board Resolution
  • Three years historical financial statements (balance sheet, profit/loss statement)
  • Three years projected financial statements
  • One year month-by-month cash flow statements
  • Personal financial statement (10% ownership or more)
  • History of business
  • Funding sources and uses
  • Line Item Cost Estimates for Remedial Work
  • Resumes of officers and key management personnel
  • Environmental Reports (Phase I & Phase II Environmental Assessment Reports, Asbestos Surveys, etc.)

Application Review

The Department of Economic Development will review the application and supporting documentation to determine eligibility. Eligible applications will be reviewed by the Toledo Plan Commission to ensure appropriate approvals have been obtained prior to the application being approved.

Application Approval

The application will be presented to the City’s Incentive Advisory Committee (IAC) for review. The IAC consists of eight independent citizens that provide oversight of the City’s incentive programs. The IAC will provide a formal recommendation to the Mayor on how to proceed with the application.

Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Agreement

If the application is approved, the City will enter into a Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Agreement with the applicant to establish the terms and conditions in which eligible work can be reimbursed by loan proceeds. Any work performed prior to execution of the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Agreement is not eligible for reimbursement. In addition to the BRLF Agreement, the applicant will be required to provide a personal and/or corporate guarantee and promissory note to the City of Toledo on the real property in which the remediation work will be performed. The personal and/or corporate guarantee and promissory note will have a term of equal to the loan term and will restrict the property owner from selling the property without approval from the City of Toledo during that time period.

Project Completion and Reimbursement

The project is defined as eligible work to be performed to the site. To qualify for reimbursement, the project must be complete within twelve months of the effective date of the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Agreement.

The loan will be disbursed through draws that are supported by the submittal, review, and approval of eligible expenses per the loan agreement. When requesting a draw, the applicant must submit copies of all invoices, and copies of permits and inspections. The Department will review the information for accuracy and completeness and process the reimbursement payment, which will be disbursed by check.

Applicants have the option to submit for a total of four draws. As part of the final draw request, applicants will need to provide proof that the remediation work has been completed. Loan recipients may be required to complete an informational survey both prior to and after funding.