For the first time, Auglaize County officials are looking into setting up a county land bank for the purpose of revitalizing properties for new use.
The reason for the interest is due to a change in the Ohio Revised Code regarding the requirements for a county to be eligible to have a land bank, County Administrator Erica Preston said.
“It’s just one of the tools that you can use to revitalize your community if you have properties that are in foreclosure or properties that need to be demolished,” Preston said. “There’s actually state funds available for demolishing residential properties inside the land bank.”
To form the land bank, the county commissioners would have to pass multiple resolutions. For now, Preston said, the county is simply learning more about the concept of having land banks and whether it would be good for the county.