Site readiness is a pressing challenge for many communities looking to attract larger employers and shore up their economies. And in our region some sites that could be appealing to developers bear the scars of their previous use. They are not ready because in another era they were used for industrial, commercial or institutional purposes that left their mark.

Such properties are dotted all over Ohio, but help is available to get them back to showroom condition. Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik have announced an additional $50 million in grant funding available as part of the Brownfield Remediation Program to help clean up “brownfield sites that are abandoned, idled, or underutilized due to a known or potential release of hazardous substances or petroleum.”

Perhaps these sites already have the necessary utilities run to them and access roads that just need a refresh. But developers shy away from them because of their past use.

“Many communities have brownfield sites that are too costly to clean up on their own,” Mihalik said. “We are helping bridge that gap, empowering our local partners to transform these sites into fresh spaces for new businesses, housing and economic growth.”

Surely local economic development officials can think of sites that would benefit from up to $2.5 million in grant funding to remediate them. They must not hesitate to apply before March 21.

Much as we might grump that state officials have made almost no progress on DeWine’s pledge to have a large employer within commuting distance for every Ohioan — and there are plenty of reasons to grump — communities must keep up their end of the bargain, too. We’ve got to behave as though we WANT large employers and developers to show interest, and that starts with having the space ready for them to build.

Take advantage of state resources that will help make that a reality — without delay.