Huron County Land Bank acquiring properties

By CAROL A. KNAPP

Huron County Land Bank

The Huron County Land Reutilization Corp. (Land Bank) was created in the Spring of 2018. The Land Bank is governed by a nine-person board of directors with representation defined by the Ohio Revised Code.

The mission of the Huron County Land Bank is “the preservation, restoration or disposal of abandoned or foreclosed properties. To strategically acquire properties, return them to productive use, reduce blight, increase property values, support community goals, and improve the quality of life for Huron County residents.”

The newly formed land bank spent the majority of 2018 establishing the organization’s policies, procedures and processes to positively impact Huron County. 501-c-3 status was obtained in August 2019. The HCLRC Board has contracted with the Huron County Development Council to administer the land bank.

The Land Bank is now in the process of acquiring tax foreclosed properties that have been forfeited to the State of Ohio. Presently, funding for land banks is somewhat limited which also limits the opportunities for the land bank’s involvement in addressing blighted properties.

The Ohio Land Bank Association was formed in October 2018. Carol Knapp was elected to the board of this association and represents the interests of newly formed, smaller, rural land banks. The OLBA is working to secure land bank funding to allow the good work of land banks to continue.

For information on the Huron County Land Bank, visit huroncountylandbank.com. Land bank meetings are open to the public. The meeting schedule can be found on the website.

Carol A. Knapp is executive director of the Huron County Land Bank.