2026-07-01

Briana Cooper

Economic Development Programs

The Ohio Department of Development announced the latest awards through its Transformational Mixed-Use Development (TMUD) Tax Credit program, continuing the state's investment in catalytic redevelopment projects that strengthen communities and drive economic growth.

 

Our firm worked closely with state legislators to pass the TMUD statute five years ago and again last year to significantly improve it and ensure it would have a promising future among Ohio’s most valued economic development programs. In what proved to be a challenging budget cycle, we advocated for and helped secure a 25% increase in TMUD funding. That makes it especially rewarding to see so many impactful projects receive this support.

 

We are pleased that the following Sikora Law client projects received full funding, totaling $35 million in TMUD tax credits—representing nearly 32% of all funding awarded throughout the state in this most recent round.

 

Battery Park Sandusky

Battery Park Sandusky will transform more than 22 acres of downtown Sandusky's waterfront into a vibrant, walkable mixed-use district featuring residential, hospitality, retail, entertainment, recreation, and public gathering spaces.

 

The development includes a new boardwalk, waterfront park, marina access, hotel, apartments, retail, restaurants, and year-round attractions designed to connect downtown with Sandusky Bay. Once complete, Battery Park will create a destination for both residents and visitors while advancing the continued revitalization of Sandusky's lakefront.

 

Bridge North

Bridge North will complete the final undeveloped tract of land within Dublin's Bridge Street District with a five-building mixed-use development centered around a new public park.

 

The project will feature residential, hotel, office, retail, restaurant, and structured parking components, along with thoughtfully designed public gathering spaces that extend the walkable urban district northward. Ground-floor commercial space will introduce additional destination dining and retail opportunities that complement the area's continued growth.

 

A Strong Signal for Ohio Development

Ohio’s General Assembly recently reinforced its commitment to transformative redevelopment by increasing annual TMUD funding by 25% in Ohio's FY 2026–2027 biennial budget.

 

With an upcoming application round ahead, now is an ideal time for developers to evaluate potential projects and begin assembling the financing, incentive strategy, and supporting documentation necessary for a competitive application.

 

Building a Complete Incentive Strategy

TMUD is often most effective when integrated into a broader economic development incentive strategy. Depending on the project, developers may also benefit from other programs, such as the Opportunity Zone program, Brownfield Remediation program, Historic Tax Credit program, Tax Increment Financing, and Community Reinvestment Areas.

 

Our team of highly qualified professionals regularly advise real estate developers on structuring these incentive packages, navigating application processes, and assembling capital stacks that make complex development projects financially feasible.

 

As Ohio continues to expand its investment in transformational development, we look forward to helping clients identify opportunities, secure available incentives, and bring impactful projects to communities throughout our great state.

 

Learn more about our economic development incentives practice and how our team helps developers maximize available funding opportunities here.