The Hocking County Treasurer and the Hocking County Board of Commissioners are pleased to announce the formation of the Hocking County Land Reutilization Corporation, commonly known as the Hocking County Land Bank.
The Land Bank, established in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5722, is a new public initiative aimed at returning vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties to productive use, improving neighborhoods, and supporting community revitalization efforts throughout the county.
The Hocking County Land Bank will be administered through the Hocking County Treasurer’s Office, which will oversee operations, strategic planning, and partnerships with local stakeholders to ensure the program’s success. The Land Bank will be overseen by a board made up the Treasurer, two County Commissioners, the Mayor of Logan (largest city) and one other board member appointed by the Treasurer and Commissioners. This role will likely be offered to someone with real estate, legal and/or construction experience.
“This is an important step forward in addressing blight, restoring property values, and creating new opportunities for development across Hocking County,” said Blaine Davidson, Hocking County Treasurer. “By operating the Land Bank through our office, we’re able to streamline the acquisition and disposition of distressed properties while maintaining transparency and fiscal responsibility.”
The initiative reflects a strong collaboration between the Treasurer’s Office and the Board of Commissioners, who worked together to establish the Land Bank’s legal and operational framework.
“The Commissioners are proud to support this effort and look forward to seeing the positive impact the Land Bank will have on our county and communities therein,” said Michael Linton, speaking on behalf of the Board. “This tool is long overdue and will help us work more effectively with local governments, nonprofits, and developers to turn problem properties into productive assets that will assist in revitalizing neighborhoods all over Hocking County.”
The Hocking County Land Bank will prioritize properties that present safety hazards, depress nearby property values, or offer strategic potential for redevelopment. Properties acquired by the Land Bank may be repurposed for housing, green space, community facilities, or future private investment, depending on the needs of each area.
More information, including governance structure, acquisition process, and opportunities for community involvement, will be made available on the Hocking County Treasurer’s website in the coming weeks.
About the Hocking County Land Bank
The Hocking County Land Reutilization Corporation is a nonprofit community improvement corporation established to return vacant, abandoned, and tax-foreclosed properties to productive use. Operated through the Hocking County Treasurer’s Office, the Land Bank works in partnership with local government, community organizations, and private entities to promote neighborhood stabilization and economic development.