Land Use Planning Grant

The Land Use Planning Grant Program provides financial and technical assistance to county governments to develop, update, or implement a Comprehensive Land Use Plan or Farmland Preservation Plan. These plans are intended to protect Ohio’s agricultural land, support rural economic vitality, and guide sustainable land use decisions.

Proposal Types:

• Comprehensive Land Use Planning: Guides a community’s future development by outlining its vision, goals, and policies for land use, infrastructure, and public facilities.
  • Max Award = $50,000
  • Match Requirement = 10% (cash or in-kind)
• Farmland Preservation Plan: Locally adopted, policy document that establishes a community’s vision, goals, and strategies to protect agricultural land from conversion to non-farm uses.
  • Max Award = $25,000
  • Match Requirement = 10% (cash or in-kind)

Only county governments are eligible to apply as lead applicants under this program. Counties must demonstrate collaboration with:

• All townships, villages, and municipalities within the county that contain active farmland
• The county Soil and Water Conservation Districts and/or Regional Planning Commission
• Optional partners such as land trusts, agricultural non-profits, or educational institutions that provide technical assistance