What Lucas County Land Bank does

Lucas County Land Bank (legal entity: Lucas County Land Reutilization Corp.) is a nonprofit county land reutilization corporation incorporated August 31, 2010 in Ohio, headquartered at 1 Government Center, Suite 580, Toledo. Operating under Ohio's Land Bank Act, it is one of Ohio's earliest county land banks (the second after Cuyahoga County) and is governed by a nine-member board that includes the Lucas County Treasurer (Chair), Lucas County Commissioners, and the Mayor of Toledo. The organization acquires vacant, abandoned, and blighted properties primarily through tax foreclosure and voluntary donations, then returns them to productive use via demolition, renovation, and disposition. Disposition channels include side-lot sales to adjacent owners ($10/foot of street frontage, $100 minimum), move-in-ready home sales, commercial property sales, Build-a-Home-on-a-Lot programs, Farm-a-Lot urban agriculture leases ($100/year with purchase option), Adopt-a-Lot greening partnerships, and donation-back programs.

The portfolio of services includes 12 distinct programs organized around three pillars: residential (Buy Renovated Home, Renovate a Home/Garage, Home Preservation Initiative with 4.25% partner loans), commercial (Buy Commercial Property), and community/neighborhood (Adopt-a-Lot, Farm-a-Lot, Build-a-Home-on-a-Lot, RISE Neighborhoods, the Report Demolition Candidate service, and the bi-decadal Toledo Survey). Core operations rest on a small 11-person staff led by President & CEO David Mann; no proprietary technology platform is operated, though the organization partners with Regrid for GIS/parcel mapping used in the Toledo Surveys. Revenue mechanics are dominated by pass-through grant administration and project management fees (acting as fiscal agent for the Ohio Department of Development's Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, OHFA's Neighborhood Initiative Program, and U.S. Treasury Hardest Hit Funds), supplemented by direct property disposition proceeds and developer/contractor coordination fees. Distribution is direct and partnership-mediated — via the website, MLS-listed brokers, lender partners (Genoa Bank, Directions Credit Union), Habitat for Humanity (for the Welcome Home Ohio first-time-buyer program), and government partners (City of Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio Department of Development, BGSU for impact analysis).

Cumulative documented impact (per Bowling Green State University Center for Regional Development, April 2026) includes over $1 billion in economic impact generated since 2010, 5,304 properties returned to productive use, 908 buildings renovated or built, 4,396 structures demolished, and $26.8M in annual restored property tax revenue, yielding a benefit-cost ratio of 8.39 (approximately $7 returned per $1 invested).

Name

Lucas County Land Bank

Legal name

Lucas County Land Reutilization Corp.

Website

https://lucascountylandbank.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lucas County Land Bank is a nonprofit Ohio county land reutilization corporation that acquires, demolishes, renovates, and disposes of vacant and blighted properties across Lucas County to expand affordable homeownership, support small businesses, and revitalize neighborhoods through grant-funded programs and community partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Reutilization and Community Development

NAICS

Residential Property Managers (531311), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Operators Of Nonresidential Buildings (6512)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban Renewal, Brownfield Redevelopment & Land Reuse (BPAIANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Brownfield Redevelopment & Land Reclamation (Cleanup for Reuse, Risk-Based Closure) (EUAIALAI), Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs (FSALAKAO), Residential Land Development & Subdivision Homebuilding (Build-to-Sell Communities) (IMAFABAL)

Keywords

• Land reutilization services
• Property demolition programs
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Affordable housing acquisition
• Commercial property disposition

Headquarters

HQ city

Toledo

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, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Property Disposition Revenue: The Land Bank sells renovated residential and commercial properties to developers, homeowners, and businesses at fair market value, generating proceeds that support operations and reinvestment into community programs.
2. Side Lot Sales: Vacant lots adjacent to existing properties are sold to neighboring homeowners at $10 per foot of street frontage (minimum $100), generating modest transaction revenue and returning properties to the tax rolls.
3. Home Preservation Loans: Through lender partners (Genoa Bank, Directions Credit Union), the Land Bank facilitates low-interest home equity loans at 4.25% (2026 rate). The Land Bank earns no direct interest income but acts as the program administrator and referral source, with the lender partners bearing the lending risk. Revenue to the Land Bank from this stream is not disclosed.
4. Farm Lot Lease and Purchase: Farm-a-Lot parcels are leased for $100 annual fee for up to three years, with an option to purchase at fair market value at end of lease. Lease payments are credited toward purchase price.
5. Government Grants and Public Funding: The Land Bank operates as a non-profit land reutilization corporation, serving as fiscal agent and project manager for state programs. Over $1 billion in total economic impact has been generated since founding. The Land Bank leverages public investment to unlock private reinvestment. Major grant programs include the Ohio Department of Development's Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program ($300 million statewide; Lucas County awarded $10.36M + $9.61M), Ohio Housing Finance Agency's Neighborhood Initiative Program ($30M+ invested in Toledo), and the Lucas County Commercial Site Clean-up Pilot Program ($2M state matching, leveraged to $4M+ total). The Land Bank's own investment in demolitions: $54.5M generating $562M benefit (9:1 return); renovation/new construction: $18.3M generating $234.5M benefit (12:1 return).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lucas County Land Bank is a nonprofit county land reutilization corporation that acquires abandoned, blighted, and tax-delinquent properties in Lucas County, Ohio, primarily through tax foreclosure and voluntary donations, then dispositions them through structured programs. These programs include renovation partnerships for developers and homeowners, side-lot sales to adjacent owners, sales of move-in-ready renovated homes, Farm-a-Lot agricultural leases, demolition of nuisance properties, and home preservation loans. The organization also operates coordinated neighborhood investment programs (RISE Neighborhoods), conducts citywide parcel surveys (Toledo Survey), and serves as fiscal agent and project manager for state and federal demolition and revitalization grant programs.

Product overview

Lucas County Land Bank operates as a county land reutilization corporation offering a portfolio of real estate services and programs focused on neighborhood revitalization in Lucas County, Ohio. The core offerings include property acquisition and disposition programs (Buy Side Lot, Buy Renovated Home, Buy Commercial Property, Donate Property), renovation partnerships (Renovate Home, Renovate Garage), and community use programs (Adopt a Lot, Farm a Lot, Build a Home on a Lot). Supporting initiatives include the Home Preservation Initiative providing low-interest loans for existing homeowners, and the Report Demolition Candidate program for nuisance property removal. Strategic programs include RISE Neighborhoods for coordinated place-based investments and The Toledo Survey for neighborhood data collection and measurement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Buy a Renovated Home Move-in-ready homes renovated by the Land Bank and listed for sale to the public at fair market value; standard properties and Welcome Home Ohio program homes for income-eligible buyers (up to 80% AMI).
• Buy a Side Lot Program allowing adjacent property owners to purchase vacant side lots at $10 per foot of street frontage (minimum $100), expanding homeowner land value and returning delinquent lots to the tax rolls.
• Buy a Commercial Property Commercial properties sold to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and developers for redevelopment, with tailored transaction support based on property and buyer needs.
• Renovate a Home Renovation partnership program allowing buyers to purchase and renovate Land Bank residential properties through a structured process including offer submission, review, closing, and post-renovation inspection.
• Renovate a Garage Program helping property owners purchase and renovate abandoned unattached garages through a five-step process including inspection, offer submission, closing, and renovation.
• Build a Home on a Lot Program enabling construction of new homes on vacant lots through lot selection, application, $500 non-refundable purchase option (credited toward closing), closing, and certificate of occupancy.
• Farm a Lot Urban agriculture program offering $100 annual leases of vacant lots (typically ½+ acre) for up to three years, with lease payments credited toward fair market value purchase at end of lease.
• Adopt a Lot Program enabling residents and community groups to use vacant Land Bank lots for green space, community gardens, or play areas without taking ownership.
• Preserve Your Home Home Preservation Initiative providing free home visits, expert guidance, and referrals for low-interest home equity loans (4.25% in 2026) through partner lenders (Genoa Bank, Directions Credit Union) for repairs such as furnaces, roofs, foundations, driveways, electrical, energy efficiency, and kitchen/bath remodeling.
• Donate a Property Program accepting voluntary property donations from owners who can no longer maintain them, enabling the Land Bank to return properties to productive use.
• Report a Demolition Candidate Program allowing residents to report nuisance and blighted properties for potential demolition, connected to the Ohio Department of Development's $300M statewide Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program.
• RISE Neighborhoods Coordinated place-based neighborhood investment program focused on Rebuild, Invest, Stabilize, and Engage in specific Lucas County geographies, currently centered on the Old South End.
• The Toledo Survey Comprehensive parcel survey initiative cataloging all approximately 122,000–125,000+ parcels across 82 Toledo neighborhoods, conducted in 2015 and 2021 to provide evidence-based data for neighborhood investment decisions.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1B+ in total economic impact generated since 2010; 8.39 benefit-cost ratio ($7 returned per $1 invested)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and notable.

• Maumee Valley Habitat for HumanitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Land Bank partners with Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity to renovate properties and sell them to first-time homeowners through the Welcome Home Ohio program. Five home dedication ceremonies were held where Land Bank staff and elected officials (Treasurer Lindsay Webb, Commissioner Pete Gerken, Commissioner Lisa Sobecki) handed keys to first-time homeowners who completed sweat equity requirements. The partnership enables income-eligible buyers (up to 80% AMI) to access homeownership through a model combining Land Bank property inventory, Habitat's construction expertise, and the Welcome Home Ohio funding program.
• RegridcoreTechnology or IntegrationRegrid provides the parcel data platform and GIS collection tool (Regrid collection tool) used for the Toledo Survey. The Land Bank's Neighborhood Surveyors use Regrid to catalog all approximately 122,000–125,000+ parcels across 82 Toledo neighborhoods in both the 2015 and 2021 surveys. Regrid data is shared with public entities, neighborhood partners, and researchers in CSV and SHP file formats. Regrid's platform enables the Land Bank's evidence-based investment decision-making.
• City of ToledocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Land Bank operates a one-stop shop side lot program in partnership with the City of Toledo, City of Oregon, and Lucas County. The City of Toledo is also a key partner in demolition coordination (with the Land Bank overseeing demolition as project manager/fiscal agent for state programs), brownfield remediation (directing $6M in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds toward brownfield remediation), and the Adopt-a-Lot Program. The Land Bank and City coordinate on nuisance property reporting via Engage Toledo.
• Bowling Green State University Center for Regional DevelopmentkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerBGSU's Center for Regional Development conducted the independent 15-year impact analysis of the Land Bank's work from 2010 to 2025. The study calculated over $1B in total economic impact, 8.39 benefit-cost ratio, and detailed returns for demolition (9:1) and renovation (12:1) investments. This analysis provides the evidentiary foundation for the Land Bank's public communications and policy advocacy.
• Metroparks ToledonotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Land Bank worked with the City of Toledo and Metroparks Toledo to assemble over three dozen individual parcels through tax foreclosure to create the Manhattan Marsh Preserve Metropark, a 90-acre urban wetland remnant in North Toledo. The Land Bank's title clearance and land assembly tools were critical to assembling parcels that enabled Metroparks to fulfill its promise of a park within 5 miles of every Lucas County resident. The park is adjacent to Chase STEMM Academy.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Genesee County Land Bank Authority: Pioneer of the modern land bank movement (2002, Flint, Michigan). Operates under Michigan's Strong Cities, Strong Communities Act and serves as the national model for blight remediation that Lucas County's structure mirrors.
• Mahoning County Land Bank: Ohio county land bank serving Youngstown area — a similarly post-industrial Rust Belt community. Direct peer on legal framework and economic context, though smaller scale.
• Cuyahoga County Land Bank: Ohio's first county land bank (July 2009), operating under the same Ohio Land Bank Act in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland). Most direct structural peer — same legal framework, same statutory tools, and the model Lucas County explicitly followed.
• Greater Syracuse Land Bank: New York land bank serving the Syracuse metro area with comparable demolition, side lot, and renovation programs. A relevant peer for understanding non-Ohio applications of the same land bank concept.
• Detroit Land Bank Authority: Michigan land bank operating in Detroit at massive scale with similar demolition, renovation, side lot, and auction programs. Compares directly on program structure and urban blight mandate.
• Franklin County Land Reutilization Corporation: Ohio county land bank serving Franklin County (Columbus). Same statutory authority, comparable program mix including demolition, renovation, and side lot sales. A natural comparison for organizational scale and program outcomes.

Others

• Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity: Direct operational partner rather than a competitor — Habitat renovates Land Bank-acquired properties for first-time homeowners through the Welcome Home Ohio program. Comparable in neighborhood revitalization outcomes and partner model.

Regional players

• Cuyahoga Land Conservancy: While focused on conservation rather than blight, this Ohio-based land reutilization entity shares the regional nonprofit/governmental hybrid model and overlapping community development themes.
• Erie County Land Bank: Buffalo, NY-area county land bank serving a post-industrial Great Lakes community analogous to Lucas County. Comparable in mission and demographic context.

Broad incumbents

• Cook County Land Bank Authority: Larger-scale Illinois county land bank serving Cook County (Chicago metro). Operates the same statutory land bank model at a much bigger geographic and demographic scale — useful peer for understanding how land bank models evolve at larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lucascountylandbank
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thelandbank

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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 Lucas County Land Bank