(A)

(1) An applicant may submit an application for property that is located in an eligible area on a form prescribed by the director of development to request a grant from the clean Ohio revitalization fund to pay for the cost of an assessment that is required for purposes of sections 122.65 to 122.658 of the Revised Code, the cleanup or remediation of a brownfield, or public health projects. The director shall not make loans from the clean Ohio revitalization fund for purposes of this section.

(2) The authorized representative of an applicant shall sign and submit an affidavit with the application certifying that the applicant did not cause or contribute to the release of hazardous substances or petroleum on the property that is the subject of the application.

No person shall submit a false affidavit under division (A)(2) of this section.

(3) After completion of the application, but prior to the submission of the application to the director, the applicant shall comply with the public notice and public meeting requirements established under division (A)(3) of section 122.652 of the Revised Code.

(B) Upon receipt of an application, the director shall examine the application and all accompanying information to determine if the application is complete. If the director determines that the application is not complete, the director immediately shall notify the applicant that the application is not complete, provide a description of the information that is missing from the application, and return the application and all accompanying information to the applicant. The applicant may resubmit the application.

(C) The director shall approve or disapprove in writing applications submitted for grants from the clean Ohio revitalization fund under this section. The director shall not approve an application that fails to comply with the policies and requirements established under section 122.657 of the Revised Code and under this section. The director also shall not approve an application if the applicant caused or contributed to the release of hazardous substances or petroleum at the property. In approving or disapproving applications, the director shall use the criteria established pursuant to section 122.657 of the Revised Code. Prior to the approval or disapproval of an application under this section, the director shall notify the clean Ohio council of the pending approval or disapproval.

(D) If the director approves an application under this section, the director shall enter into an agreement with the applicant to award a grant to the applicant. The agreement shall be executed prior to the payment or disbursement of any funds approved by the director under this section.

(E) If the director executes an agreement under this section, the director shall forward a copy of the agreement to the clean Ohio council for the purposes of sections 122.65 to 122.658 of the Revised Code.

(F) For purposes of this section, an applicant shall conduct, or cause to be conducted, an assessment, a cleanup or remediation of a brownfield, or a public health project in accordance with all applicable cleanup standards and environmental statutes and rules.

Effective Date: 07-26-2001.