Washington County has launched the Washington County Blight Mitigation and Demolition Fund program utilizing $12 million of the County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. In late March, the Washington County Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement between the County, the Redevelopment Authority, and the Washington County Land Bank to create and administer the program.

The Commissioners have identified that blight is a challenge throughout the County. By removing the dilapidated, vacant, and condemned commercial, industrial and residential sites within the County, the Commissioners believe that the program will pave the way for sustainable healthy communities, the creation of economic development opportunities, and increased quality of life for residents.

The initial Blight Mitigation and Demolition Fund pilot project will be to demolish and remove the remnants of the collapsed structure on 15 North Main Street in the City of Washington. The County has allocated $85,000 to move the 15 North Main Street project forward and engineering is underway. In addition to the 15 North Main Street project, the Commissioners provided the funding for the Local Government Academy to assist with the Washington County Blight Mitigation and Demolition Funds by providing Code Enforcement Training to local municipalities and staff.