Central Ohio Community Improvement

What Central Ohio Community Improvement does

Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation (COCIC) is a Franklin County, Ohio nonprofit corporation that operates as the county's designated land bank, authorized by the Ohio legislature (S.B. 353) and the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. Founded in 2012, the organization acquires tax-foreclosed, abandoned, and blighted properties, then either demolishes, remediates, or redevelops them through partnerships with municipalities, developers, and community organizations. Its portfolio of completed activity includes 3,573 demolitions, 205 acres of cleared commercial property, and an attributed $320 million increase in nearby property values, alongside 1,786+ housing units built with development partners.

COCIC's revenue mechanics combine pass-through government grants (notably the Ohio Department of Development's Brownfield Remediation and Building Demolition programs, totaling roughly $64.7M awarded since 2023), a base allocation from Franklin County delinquent-property-tax penalties and interest, and proceeds from sales of stabilized equity-positive parcels. In 2018, COCIC established the Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) as a wholly-owned subsidiary to produce permanently affordable homeownership, with homes priced under $199,000 serving first-time, minority, and below-80%-AMI buyers. The COCIC/COCLT model is operationally relationship-driven, with no proprietary technology stack or software product; supporting infrastructure consists of a standard website (cocic.org), public-records governance, and standard accounting/grant-administration workflows.

Name

Central Ohio Community Improvement

Legal name

Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation

Website

https://cocic.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

COCIC is the Franklin County, Ohio land bank that acquires tax-foreclosed and blighted properties for demolition, brownfield remediation, and redevelopment, and—through its COCLT subsidiary—provides permanently affordable homeownership to first-time, minority, and below-80%-AMI buyers across Franklin County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Banking and Community Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

SIC

Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552), Investors, Nec (6799)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban Renewal, Brownfield Redevelopment & Land Reuse (BPAIANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE), Brownfield Redevelopment & Land Reclamation (Cleanup for Reuse, Risk-Based Closure) (EUAIALAI)

Keywords

• Land bank services
• Community development
• Blight removal
• Affordable housing
• Brownfield remediation

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Delinquent Property Tax Revenue: COCIC receives annually a certain portion of the penalties and interest that accrue on delinquent property taxes. The Franklin County Treasurer makes early advances of these delinquent taxes to various taxing districts, and from these funds, COCIC receives its base level funding.
2. Property Sales: Positive equity properties acquired through tax foreclosure are stabilized and resold. Proceeds from these sales fund continued mission activities including demolition, stabilization, and rehabilitation of substandard properties.
3. Grants and External Funding: COCIC receives gifts, grants, and loans including bond issuances. Major grants include Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Remediation Program ($3.75 million in 2025, $28.9 million in prior round), ODOD Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program ($9 million second round, $21.6 million first round), and Historic Preservation Tax Credits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation (COCIC) operates as the Franklin County Land Bank, strategically acquiring tax-foreclosed, abandoned, and blighted properties for demolition, brownfield remediation, and redevelopment to return unproductive properties to productive use. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT), the organization develops and sells permanently affordable homes under $199,000 to qualifying first-time, minority, and below-AMI buyers. The organization also administers government grants from the Ohio Department of Development, the National Park Service, and other public and private funders for community revitalization projects.

Product overview

COCIC (Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation) operates as the Franklin County Land Bank, providing land banking services through strategic property acquisition, blight removal, and brownfield remediation. The organization operates two key sub-brands: the Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) for affordable housing development and a Land Trust program for expanding homeownership. COCIC's portfolio includes specific housing developments (Kohr Place, Franklinton Condominiums, Hilliard Project), historic building renovation (The Edna), and grant programs (ODOD Brownfield Remediation and Building Demolition Programs). The organization does not operate a unified software product but rather delivers community development services through partnerships with government entities, developers, and community organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT): A subsidiary of COCIC committed to creating permanently affordable housing options for working individuals and families, bridging affordability and racial homeownership gaps in Franklin County.

Products and services

• COCIC Franklin County Land Bank Services Core land banking service that strategically acquires vacant, abandoned, and blighted properties in Franklin County for demolition, remediation, and redevelopment to return unproductive properties to productive use. Serves municipalities, developers, and community organizations countywide.
• Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Affordable Homeownership Wholly-owned subsidiary of COCIC providing permanently affordable homeownership opportunities through a community land trust model. Homes sold under $199,000 to qualifying first-time, minority, and below-AMI buyers with permanent affordability restrictions. 138 affordable homes built since formation.
• Vacant/Side Lot Sales Program Program allowing adjacent property owners to apply to purchase vacant side lots from COCIC's inventory. Properties are reviewed for eligibility and sold through existing land bank programs.
• Kohr Place Development (14-Home Linden Project) 14-home single-family development project in Linden featuring one- and two-story modern homes priced at $199,000, providing permanently affordable homeownership in the Green Line Corridor.
• Franklinton Condominium Project COCLT's first multi-unit condominium project in Franklinton, featuring 19 townhome units (11 two-bedroom and 8 three-bedroom) available for sale under $199,000, providing permanently affordable homeownership.
• Hilliard Housing Project COCLT's first project in Hilliard, Ohio on Bryant Street, featuring a 1,400-square-foot ranch-style home priced at $199,000 with fenced backyard and two-car garage, providing permanently affordable homeownership.
• The Edna Historic Building Renovation Renovation of the historic Edna building at 879 East Long Street in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville District, an 8,694-square-foot two-story building added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2017, supporting historic preservation and providing COCIC's future office location.
• Weinland Park Multi-Family Housing Project First multi-family housing project for COCLT, featuring four duplex units on N. 5th Street in Weinland Park, marking COCLT's 100th affordable home and providing permanently affordable homeownership in the Weinland Park community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,573 demolitions completed
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• Eastland Mall redevelopment partnersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2025Eastland Mall redevelopment received $2,022,409 grant for asbestos abatement and full demolition of eight dilapidated structures. Site will be redeveloped for multi-family residential use.
• City of GahannamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2025Gahanna Mill Street Redevelopment awarded $108,000 for demolition and asbestos abatement of two vacant commercial properties in Creekside District to prepare for mixed-use redevelopment, creating 20 new jobs.
• Weinland Park development partnersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2025Weinland Park Apartments received $1,632,017 for demolition and remediation to support two seven-story buildings with 186 apartment units, retail space, and parking.
• Finance FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2025Finance Fund served as developer and construction lender for 19-unit Franklinton condo project. Partnership with COCLT and City of Columbus brings permanently affordable homeownership options.
• Columbus Design CompanysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2025Served as project architect for 19-unit Franklinton condo project.
• StructurepointsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2025Civil engineer for 19-unit Franklinton condo project.
• SMEsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2025Environmental consultant for 19-unit Franklinton condo project.
• City of HilliardmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2025COCLT's first project in Hilliard, Ohio on Bryant Street. Partnership brings permanently affordable housing to an area where working families are being priced out. Home listed at $199,000 with development cost of $350,000.
• Simmons CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2025Minority-owned construction firm based in Columbus, Ohio hired as builder for Hilliard ranch-style home project.
• Moody NolancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2025Selected for design of 14-home Kohr Place project in Linden. Largest Black-owned design firm in the country.
• SBA StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2025Named as architect for Kohr Place 14-home development project.
• Simmons Development Corp.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2025Developer for Kohr Place 14-home project in Linden adjacent to Green Line Corridor.
• Woda GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2025Developer for Kohr Place 14-home project in Linden.
• Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families (HNHF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2024Partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital's HNHF initiative for affordable homeownership in Linden and South Side. Completed 28 new homes in Linden as part of five-year commitment. Healthy Homes is affordable housing arm of HNHF.
• Nationwide Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2024Launched HNHF initiative over 15 years ago to improve community health with affordable housing and economic opportunities. Partnership has impacted nearly 900 homes through homeownership or rentals below market rates.
• City of ColumbusmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2024Multiple demolition projects including Capri Lanes Bowling Alley, Central Presbyterian Church Annex, Jenkins Ave Manufacturing Plant, Fifth Avenue Wendy's, Huntington Office Building, Rich Street Warehouse, Spaghetti Warehouse, Trabue Road Strip Mall.
• City of BexleymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2024Continental Bexley Trinity Apartments demolition project.
• City of DublinmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2024Sawmill Road Fiesta Bar & Grille demolition project.
• City of New AlbanymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2024Discover Call Center demolition project.
• Simmons CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 April 2024Minority-owned construction firm based in Columbus specializing in urban renovation and new construction. First project with COCIC for four duplex homes in Weinland Park.
• Weinland Park Community Civic AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 April 2024President Tanya Long stated the new duplexes continue goals to house people who want to purchase homes in an area where families may have lived for generations, and to welcome diverse new residents.
• Moody NolancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2024Partnering as design firm for $4.7 million Edna renovation. Largest Black-owned design firm in the country.
• Sessley ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2024Named as general contractor for The Edna historic renovation project.
• Cap City CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 April 2023Partnership to introduce SIP (structural insulated panels) affordable housing concepts. SIP homes speed up build time, are healthier, reduce energy costs, and are more sustainable. SIP exterior structure assembled in 3 days vs 3-4 months traditionally.
• Rockford HomescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 November 2022General construction agreement for 21 single-family homes in Columbus and Franklin County. Prior partnership completed 24 homes. Project includes homes in Milo Grogan, Weinland Park, Mifflin Township, and Clinton Township.
• Franklin County Board of CommissionerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOCIC was formed by the Franklin County Commissioners in 2012. The Board includes Commissioner John O'Grady and Commissioner Erica C. Crawley. Commissioners provide governance oversight and have authorized COCIC to operate as the Franklin County Land Bank.
• The City of ColumbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor municipal partner for property redevelopment. COCIC collaborates with Columbus on demolition projects, affordable housing initiatives including the Green Line Corridor, and urban redevelopment. Includes representative Michael Stevens on COCIC Board.
• Ohio Environmental Protection AgencysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for brownfield remediation programs addressing environmental contamination on properties.
• Ohio Housing Finance AgencysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for affordable housing financing and programs in Franklin County.
• MORPCsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission partnership for regional planning and development initiatives.
• Franklin County Economic Development & Planning DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty department partnership for economic development and planning initiatives.
• Franklin County TreasurercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRequired board member position; provides early advances of delinquent taxes that fund COCIC operations.
• Affordable Housing TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for affordable housing initiatives in Franklin County.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hamilton County Land Bank: Cincinnati-area Ohio county land bank under the same Ohio statute as COCIC, focused on blight removal, demolition, and redevelopment in coordination with the City of Cincinnati. Directly comparable in structure and funding model.
• Genesee County Land Bank: Michigan county land bank widely cited as a national model for demolition and side-lot disposition. Compares to COCIC as a same-tier county land bank with active demolition and affordable housing pipelines, although it operates under Michigan (not Ohio) statute.
• Lucas County Land Bank: Toledo-area Ohio county land bank performing demolition, remediation, and property disposition under the same Ohio land bank framework as COCIC. Same statute, same core activities, comparable grant reliance.
• Champlain Housing Trust: Burlington, Vermont-based community land trust producing permanently affordable homes. Closest peer to COCIC's COCLT subsidiary model, combining resale-restricted affordability with mixed-income development, although it does not also operate as a county land bank.
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Columbus: Local Habitat affiliate building affordable single-family homes in Franklin County for working families. Comparable to COCLT in serving first-time, low- and moderate-income homebuyers in the same Columbus geography, though Habitat uses a different (non-CLT) affordability mechanism.
• Cuyahoga Land Bank: Cleveland-area county land bank authorized under Ohio's land bank statute to acquire tax-foreclosed, vacant, and blighted properties and return them to productive use. Directly comparable operating model and enabling legislation as COCIC, serving as the most relevant in-state peer.

Regional players

• Mahoning County Land Bank: Youngstown-area Ohio county land bank performing demolition and property disposition under the same Ohio statute as COCIC. Same regulatory framework but serves a different northeast Ohio geography.

Broad incumbents

• Detroit Land Bank Authority: Large-scale municipal land bank focused on returning blighted property to productive use in Detroit. Compares to COCIC in mission and core activities (demolition, side-lot sales, affordable housing partnerships) but operates at much larger scale under a city (not county) framework.
• Cuyahoga County Department of Development: Cuyahoga County's public development function administering community development block grants, affordable housing programs, and brownfield remediation. Comparable to COCIC's grant administration role but operated as a government department rather than a separate nonprofit.

Others

• Grounded Solutions Network: National membership organization supporting community land trusts and shared-equity homeownership programs. Adjacent peer to COCIC's COCLT subsidiary because it convenes and resources the broader CLT movement that COCIC participates in.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cocic-franklin-county-land-bank

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Central Ohio Community Improvement