MARIETTA, Ohio (AVC News) — Buckeye Hills Regional Council has received a 2026 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations for its Regional Brownfields Assessment Program.
The award recognizes the council’s work helping communities across southeastern Ohio assess and prepare abandoned or underused industrial properties for redevelopment through funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
As part of the program, Buckeye Hills coordinated environmental assessments, hazardous materials surveys and cleanup planning for 14 brownfield sites across its eight-county service area. The effort also leveraged more than $3.5 million in additional funding to support cleanup and redevelopment projects.
Officials say the program has helped reduce environmental risks while creating new opportunities for economic development and future investment throughout the region.
The National Association of Development Organizations selected 94 projects from 58 organizations in 20 states for this year’s Impact Awards. Recipients will be recognized during the organization’s 2026 Annual Training Conference in Reno, Nevada.
Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by AVC News
