Our Land Banks

Maumee Valley Planning Organization assists six County Land Reutilization Corporations (or "Land Banks") with project and grant management services. The Land Banks' mission is to reclaim, rehabilitate, and reutilize vacant, abandoned, tax foreclosed or other real property in the County. The Land Bank Board is typically made up of two County Commissioners, the County Treasurer, a municipal representative from the largest municipality and a township representative, according to Ohio Revised Code §1724.03.

Defiance County

established in 2019

Board Members:

David Kern, President

Curt Sigg, Vice President

*Vickie Myers, Secretary/Treasurer

Niki Warncke, Appointed Director

Mick Pocratsky, Appointed Director

*Main Point of Contact: vmyers@defiancecounty.oh.gov

419-782-8741

500 W. Second St., Suite 101

Meeting Schedule:

Meetings are typically held on the last Tuesday of the month at 9:00am in the E911 Conference Room in the Commissioner's Building located at 500 Court Street, Defiance, OH 43512.

Paulding County

established in 2017

Board Members:

*Lou Ann Wannemacher, Chair

Mark Holtsberry, Vice Chair

Mike Weible, Director

Mike Kauser, Secretary/Treasurer

Greg White, Municipal Representative

*Main Point of Contact:

lou_ann@pauldingcountyoh.com

pauldingclrc@gmail.com

419-399-8215

PO Box 437, Paulding, OH 45879

Meeting Schedule:

Meetings are typically held monthly on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. in the Paulding County Commissioners' Office, 451 McDonald Pike, Suite E, Paulding, OH 45879.

Fulton County

established in 2021

Board Members:

*Joe Short, President

Keith Torbet, Vice President

Andrea Gerken, Treasurer (non-voting)

Char Lee, Secretary & Treasurer Representative

Jon Rupp, County Commissioner Representative

Rick Kazmierczak, Township Representative

R.J. Lumbrezer, Appointed Director

Richard Perkins, Appointed Director

*Main Point of Contact:

joeshort@fultoncountyoh.com

(419) 337-9214

152 S. Fulton Street, Suite 155

Meeting Schedule:

Meetings are typically on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 8 a.m. in the Fulton County Administration Building Conference Room located at 152 S. Fulton Street, Wauseon, Ohio, 43567.

Putnam County

established in 2023

Board Members:

*Tracy Warnecke

Dean Meyer

Steve Leopold

John Schlumbohm

Brad Brubaker

*Main Point of Contact:

tracy.warnecke@putnamcountyohio.gov

419-523-6588

245 E Main Street, Ottawa, OH

Meeting Schedule:

Meetings are held on an as-needed basis at the Putnam County Commissioner's office, 245 E Main Street, Ottawa, Ohio. Please contact Tracy Warnecke, or Estee Blair, eblair@mvpo.org for the next scheduled meeting.

Henry County

established in 2017

Board Members:

Jeff Brubaker, President

Doug Prigge, Vice President

Joel Miller, Secretary

*Diana Wachtman, Treasurer

Lori Siclair, Appointed Director

*Main Point of Contact:

diana.wachtman@henrycountyohio.gov

419-592-4876

1853 Oakwood Avenue, Napoleon, OH hclandbank@henrycountyohio.gov

Meeting Schedule:

Meetings are held on an as-needed basis at the Henry County Commissioner's office, 1853 Oakwood Avenue, Napoleon, Ohio 43545. The meetings are open to the public. Please contact Diana Wachtman, or Estee Blair, eblair@mvpo.org for the next scheduled meeting.

Williams County

established in 2016

Board Members:

Brian Wieland, President

*Kellie Gray, Secretary/Treasurer

Vickie Grimm

Todd Burkholder

Scott Lirot

Bart Westfall

Jason Rockey

*Main Point of Contact:

kgray@wmsco.org

(419) 636-1850

100 S. Main Street Bryan, OH 43506

Meeting Schedule:

Meetings are typically held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 11:00am in the Williams County Commissioner's Office located at 1425 E High Street, Bryan, OH.

Our programs

From time to time, Land Banks have grant funding available for various projects that help advance their mission. Learn more below.

Demolition & Blight Removal

Do you own or know of a property in need of demolition? Through the Ohio Department of Development's "Building Demolition and Site Revitalization" program, property owners may be eligible to receive up to 100% grant funding for the cleanup of their vacant and dilapidated property. Commercial, Industrial and Residential properties are eligible. For more information, contact Abby White, awhite@mvpo.org, call 419-784-3882, or fill out the application linked below:

Application Packet >

brownfield Assessment and remediation

Brownfield Remediation is the process of removing, treating or containing contaminants from former industrial or commercial properties so they can be safely reused or redeveloped. Land Banks typically have access to funding for both assessment and remediation activities through the EPA or Ohio Department of Development. To inquire about receiving Brownfield funding, contact Estee Blair, eblair@mvpo.org or call 419-784-3882.

Learn More >

new construction or housing rehab

Funding may be available for housing related activities, such as new construction or rehabilitation of a lot. The "Welcome Home Ohio" program through the Ohio Department of Developments provides grant funding to conduct these activities. The purpose of the WHO grant is to help low-to-moderate income individuals/families establish homeownership. There are several requirements for these funds. More information can be found by clicking the link below, which is also where you may express your interest in the program.

Properties for Sale

220 Empire, Montpelier - Due 3/10/26

Go to

Demolition Contractors

Interested in becoming pre-qualified to conduct demolitions? Click below.

Go to

Housing Contractors

Interested in becoming pre-qualified for rehab or new build projects? Click below.

Go to

Project Examples

848 West Perry Street, Paulding

Demolition 2018 – Resale 2022

1660 E Main Ottawa

1660 E Main - After

Chesterfield School

Chesterfield School - After

316 Rulf Defiance

316 Rulf - After

420 Maple, Deshler

420 Maple After

201 Cleveland, Grover Hill

201 Cleveland After

215 Main Montpelier

215 Main After

Public Announcements

Bunting Bearings - Village of Delta

The Fulton County Land Bank is sharing information regarding elevated lead levels detected in outdoor air near the Bunting Bearings facility in the Village of Delta. In January 2026, Ohio EPA reported that routine air monitoring in November and December showed lead concentrations above the federal air quality standard during demolition activities at the Bunting Bearings Van Buren Street facility. Demolition work has since been stopped, and Ohio EPA continues to monitor air quality. State agencies are also coordinating with local partners on additional environmental testing and public health guidance.

Why This Information Is Posted Here

The Land Bank is committed to transparency and keeping the public informed about environmental matters that may impact redevelopment, property conditions, and community health within Fulton County. While the Land Bank is not the regulatory authority in this matter, we are sharing verified information and official resources to ensure residents have access to accurate updates.

Official Information & Updates

Village of Delta Community Notice
- Click here for the original community notice from OEPA and ODH
Fulton County Health Department
- For Health Guidance, testing information and other updates, click here
- Contact: 419-337-0915 or fchd@fultoncountyoh.com

Residents with concerns about lead exposure are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider.

Community Involvement Plan

As part of ongoing response efforts, a Community Involvement Plan is being implemented to gather resident input and ensure concerns are heard. Your participation helps inform next steps and ensures community priorities are reflected in future actions. The Bunting Bearings project team invites community members to sign up for community engagement interviews. The interviews will be held in person at the Delta Public Library at 402 Main Street, Delta, OH 43515. Please call Maumee Valley Planning Organization at 419-784-3882or email mvpo@mvpo.org to schedule an interview. The available dates and times are:

Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 2:00 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

If you are unable to attend an in person interview, your feedback may be provided online - please click here for the online survey.

Zeller Corporation Remediation

The Defiance County Land Bank is anticipating to submit an application to the U.S. EPA brownfield cleanup grant for funds to remediate the Zeller Corporation site on Defiance's Baltimore Road. The application is due January 28th. This year, the Land Bank will be hosting a public forum on Tuesday, October 28th at 9:00 am in the Commissioners E-911 Conference room located at 500 Court Street, Defiance, OH 43512.

The draft application and analysis of brownfield cleanup alternatives are available for public comment below or paper format at the Defiance County Public Library or office of Maumee Valley Planning Organization. You can also view them here. Comments received will be incorporated into the final application. Please drop off written comments to Maumee Valley Planning Organization - 1300 E Second Street, Suite 200, Defiance, OH 43512 ATTN: Estee Blair or by emailing mvpo@mvpo.org with the subject "Zeller Comment". You may also express verbal comments at the public meeting (details above). Public Comments may also be gathered by filling out this survey.

Members of the public are always welcome to join Land Bank meetings - typically held on the last Tuesday of the month to provide public comments for any Land Bank project.