Each quarter, Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s Thriving Communities program hosts a networking meeting for land banks across the state. Please find the summaries below:

Spring 2018 Land Bank Network Meeting

The Spring Ohio Land Bank Network Meeting was held at the Mansfield Fire Museum. Seventy-five (75) people were in attendance, representing 29 counties. Holly Swisher of OHFA provided an update on the NIP program discussing current progress, the December 18 requirements for property ownership and spend down of NIP allocations, and the opportunity for new land banks and land banks which have exhausted all their funds to participate in the NIP program.

Mike Fallon, a representative of Bowers & Company CPAs, presented information on utilizing QuickBooks and additional features for land bank accounting. Bowers & Company CPAs generously sponsored the meeting.

David Mann and Shawn Carvin discussed the proposed Ohio Land Bank Association and the recommendations of the committees that have been at work over the past several months. The Association would represent all 52 Ohio land banks. A seven-member board, made up of both small and large land banks would govern the Association. More information can be found in their PowerPoint presentation.

Projects from Athens, Ottawa, and Shelby county land banks were presented.

Presentations may be viewed here:

Winter 2018 Land Bank Network Meeting

Thirty-three (33) county land banks were represented at the January 17, 2018 Land Bank Network Meeting held in Mansfield, Ohio.

The County Risk Sharing Authority (CORSA) generously sponsored the meeting. CORSA is now authorized to insure county land banks in addition to their current members – counties and multi-county facilities such as multi-county correctional facilities. CORSA representatives Sherry Barbosky and Alison Redmond presented information regarding the property and liability risk sharing pool with the 69 attendees.

Jim Rokakis addressed the need for funding of commercial and industrial demolition in all counties across Ohio and discussed several potential sources of funds. All land banks are asked to contribute photos and background information concerning blighted commercial and industrial properties to assist in making a case for the need for demolition funding throughout Ohio.

Afternoon presentations included information about the recent merger of the EPA and Ohio Health Department’s asbestos-related programs, a demolition safety program being developed in Trumbull County, and a presentation on property acquisition utilizing tax lien certificates.

Presentations may be viewed here: