Governor Taft Announces Land Sale to Ohio University
Proceeds go to Economic Development, Mental Health Services

Following is a release issued by the the Governor's Office.

Contact: Sam Hibbs, Ohio Department of Mental Health, at (614) 466-2297; George Mauzy, Ohio University, at (740) 597-1794; or Mary Anne Sharkey, Governor's office, at (614) 644-0957.

ATHENS, Ohio (April 23, 2001) -- Governor Bob Taft today announced that the proceeds from the sale of a state-owned farm will go to promote economic development and expand mental health services in Athens County.

Ohio University President Robert Glidden and Michael Hogan, director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health -- which owned the 450 acres of land -- today signed an agreement to finalize the sale. Ohio University agreed to purchase the Hebbardsville property for $200,000.

"Economic development in Appalachia is crucial to the overall success of our state," Taft said. "The transfer of the land is expected to generate new jobs, strengthen the economy and ensure the future prosperity for the people of southeastern Ohio."

The land is close to U.S. Rt. 50/Ohio Rt. 32 and the Ohio University Airport in Albany. The land also has a railroad line running through its back portion.

Athens County Planner Bob Eichenberg, Athens County Fair Board member Roger Bail, and Bill Arnett, president of economic development for the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, have formed a committee with university officials to explore the future development of the property. The committee has hired a consulting firm to study the feasibility of using the farm as a new site for the Athens County Fairgrounds.

Director Hogan said that the money from the sale will also go to the 317 Board, which provides drug and alcohol addiction counseling and mental health services in Athens, Hocking and Vinton counties.