Cincinnati OH, 45202
513-946-4455

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Hamilton County Ohio.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about July 24, 2026, Hamilton County, Ohio will submit a request to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title [1] of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as The City of Reading Valley Central Development Project. The Project entails acquisition of 8852 Reading Road a .52-acre site at southeast corner of Reading Rd. and W. Benson St; and demolition of existing vacant Rally's Restaurant building situated on the site. The project will eliminate blight at the main entrance to the Reading Bridal District and allow for Valley Central Savings Bank to expand subsequently retaining 8 and creating 2 new full-time jobs. The project is part of the Reading Master Plan.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Hamilton County has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the Hamilton County Community Development Division; 138 East Court Street, Room 1002, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 and may be examined or copied on weekdays from 9:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the address above. All comments received by July 23, 2026, will be considered by Hamilton County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

Hamilton County certifies to The Department of Housing and Urban Development that Angela Rahman in her capacity as Administrator consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Hamilton County to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the RE's certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of Hamilton County Community Development; (b) Hamilton County has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD administration office at to HUD at 200 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 or email to CPDColumbusRROF@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Angela Rahman, Administrator Hamilton County Community Development

Note: The fifteen or eighteen-day public comment periods are the minimum time periods required by regulation prior to submission of a Request for Release of Funds and Certification (form HUD-7015.15) to HUD/State. The entity responsible may choose to allow a longer comment period. 24 CFR Part 58 requires, at Section 58.46, "time delays for exceptional circumstances," a 30-day comment period for controversial or unique projects or those similar to projects normally requiring preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. The fifteen-day objection period is a statutory requirement. The objection period follows the submission date specified in the Notice or the actual date of the receipt by HUD/State, whichever is later.

Following the completion of the comment period recipients may fax the form HUD-7015.15 to HUD/State together with a copy of the public notice and a cover letter stating whether comments were received and, if so, how the recipient responded to the comment. The Request for Release of Funds and Certification should not be submitted before the recipient has responded. If the request is sent by FAX, the original signed form should be mailed to HUD/State. The date of the receipt by FAX will be counted as the submission date. However, HUD will not issue the 7015.16 "Authority to Use Grant Funds" until the original signed form is received.