The Land Bank’s Industrial Cleanup Program is a key driver of commercial redevelopment and economic renewal across Mahoning County.
Powered by the Ohio Department of Development’s Brownfield Remediation Program, this work focuses on removing environmental barriers from former industrial and commercial sites, restoring them to code and positioning them for productive reuse. Through strategic coordination and state funding, we help transform contaminated, underutilized properties into assets ready for reinvestment.
Unlocking “Stuck” Sites
Brownfield sites often sit idle for years due to environmental contamination and high cleanup costs. The Land Bank steps in as a problem-solver – acquiring properties, securing grant funding, managing remediation efforts and preparing sites for future use.
Land Bank-led cleanup projects include the former Royal China site in Sebring, the former Phar-Mor office building in Youngstown, the Youngstown Flea industrial building, the former South High Field House site in Youngstown and others.
By coordinating these efforts, the Land Bank is not simply clearing land — it is unlocking previously “stuck” sites, enabling commercial investment, job creation and larger-scale redevelopment.
Partner Spotlight: Youngstown Flea
A standout example of this work is the remediation of the Youngstown Flea’s industrial building. Pictured above is the flea’s founder, Derrick McDowell, and Land Bank Executive Director Debora Flora, who partnered on the massive restoration project.
Through a brownfield grant secured by the Land Bank, environmental barriers of asbestos-ridden window panes were removed and critical improvements were made — including the installation of thousands of panes of new window glass — that restored the building’s function and exterior “seal” to allow for future interior renovations.
Project Spotlight: Former Royal China Factory | Sebring
One of the Land Bank’s largest and most complex brownfield projects was the cleanup of the former Royal China factory in Sebring — a two-year effort made possible by a $1.5 million state grant. The remediation removed significant environmental hazards and positioned the site for redevelopment after decades of vacancy.
This project demonstrates how state investment, paired with local coordination, can turn once-contaminated properties into opportunities for growth.
Building the Path to Redevelopment
The Industrial Cleanup Program enables us to serve as a bridge between environmental remediation and economic development. By preparing sites for reuse, the Land Bank helps attract private investment, support commercial activity and strengthen local tax bases.
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