State Representative Craig Newbold (1st District – Columbiana County) applauded the efforts that resulted in a 37-acre brownfield—which formerly housed the Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation manufacturing operations—in the city of Columbiana being ready for redevelopment.

The Columbiana County Port Authority recently conducted an environmental assessment of the site, located at 41738 Esterly Road, and used a $750,000 Clean Ohio Fund grant to help finance the project. The project also included remediation of contamination to a level that allows for commercial or industrial redevelopment.

"Tracy Drake’s and the Port Authority’s efforts on this project are an excellent example of how we can take a liability and make it a valuable asset,” Newbold said. “This property is in a prime location that hopefully will draw significant interest for redevelopment. I want to thank Tracy for his efforts and success."

Ohio EPA issued a covenant not to sue to the Port Authority, which will protect the property’s owner or future owners from being legally responsible to the state for future investigation and remediation. The covenant applies only when the property is properly being used and maintained according to the conditions of the agreement.