COLUMBUS (December 13, 2001) — Governor Bob Taft today announced the Ohio Public Facilities Commission has selected an all Ohio-based underwriting team to manage the State’s first issuance of $50 million in bonds for the Clean Ohio Conservation Program. The underwriting team will be led by two of Ohio’s leading investment banking firms, NatCity Investments, Inc. and Seasongood & Mayer. Other firms selected for the underwriting team include Banc One, Butler, Wick & Co. Inc., Fifth Third Securities, Huntington Capital, McDonald Securities, Regis Securities and SBK-Brooks Corp. “I’m pleased by the progress of the Clean Ohio program, which will allow us to improve and enhance our environment,” said Taft, who is chairman of the Commission. “This underwriting team reflects the strength of the financial services community in Ohio, and I am confident these firms will be successful in the marketing of these bonds.” The Ohio Public Facilities Commission is comprised of six members including the Governor, Attorney General, Auditor of State, Secretary of State, Treasurer and the Office of Budget and Management Director. Thomas W. Johnson, director of the Office of Budget and Management and secretary of the Commission, stated, “This underwriting team is a blend of large and small Ohio firms. One of the goals of the Commission is to ensure the continued participation of Ohio firms in its underwriting transactions.” The bonds are scheduled to be sold in January and will include a special marketing period for individual and institutional investors located in the state of Ohio. The monies will be used for the Clean Ohio Conservation Program. This program, approved by voters in November 2000 and enacted under House Bill 3, is designed to preserve green space, develop recreational trails and protect farmland through partnerships with local governments throughout Ohio. Of the total funding available through the Clean Ohio Conservation Program, 75 percent is allocated for the purpose of preserving green space and 12.5 percent is allocated for both the development of recreational trails and the protection of farmland.