Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Grant

The Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Grant is administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources through its Division of Mineral Resources Management. The program operates as part of a broader federal initiative overseen by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, which provides funding to states for the reclamation and redevelopment of legacy coal mining sites. These lands, abandoned prior to 1977, often present environmental hazards and economic stagnation, and the program is designed to convert them into productive assets that benefit local communities. Ohio receives a portion of federal AMLER funding and distributes it through a competitive subgrant process. The primary purpose of the grant is to support projects that combine environmental reclamation with tangible economic and community development outcomes. Projects must demonstrate either direct economic impact, such as tourism infrastructure or business development, or indirect impact by preparing land for future development. This dual-purpose structure distinguishes the program from traditional reclamation funding by requiring applicants to integrate economic revitalization into project planning. Projects that fail to demonstrate a clear connection to economic or community benefit are not considered eligible. Funding is available for a wide range of activities related to abandoned mine land reclamation, including site cleanup, infrastructure development, and construction tied to end-use goals. Eligible project sites include unreclaimed or previously reclaimed mine lands, adjacent areas impacted by mining, and polluted water systems associated with historic coal extraction. Funds may be used flexibly to support both environmental remediation and construction necessary for redevelopment. While matching funds are not required, applicants are encouraged to leverage additional public or private investment to enhance project outcomes. Eligible applicants include government entities, nonprofit organizations, and political subdivisions such as counties or municipalities. Applicants must ensure that proposed sites meet eligibility criteria and are not associated with currently permitted mining operations. Projects must also align with federal AMLER guidance and demonstrate compliance with applicable regulations, including fiscal oversight and environmental statutes where applicable. Entities in violation of mining regulations are not eligible to receive funding. The application process requires electronic submission through the Ohio AMLER Grant Portal during a defined application window. Required materials include a completed application form, site photographs, a project location map, letters of support from community stakeholders, and preliminary design plans if available. The program emphasizes community engagement and expects applicants to demonstrate local support and coordination with economic development partners. Applications are reviewed based on alignment with program goals, feasibility, and anticipated economic impact. For the 2025 grant cycle, applications open on September 8 and close on October 10 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Projects selected for funding are anticipated to begin in April 2026, indicating a several-month review and award process following submission. The program is recurring annually, with similar timelines expected in future cycles. Applicants are encouraged to prepare materials in advance and utilize desktop-compatible systems for submission to ensure full functionality of the application portal.

Ensure strong demonstration of economic impact and community support; align project with AMLER guidance and local development plans