Help us tear it down.

That is the message the Lawrence County Commission hopes to convey when it sends a letter to state officials, officially endorsing and urging funding for the Carlyle Tile cleanup proposal.

The village of Coal Grove is seeking a Clean Ohio Revitalization Grant to demolish several old buildings and otherwise clear an old industrial site that has not been used for more than two decades.

At their Tuesday work session, commissioners received a letter from Greater Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bill Dingus, asking that local entities write letters of support for the plan and forward those letters to The Clean Ohio Council at the Ohio Department of Development.

Lawrence County Commissioner Jason Stephens said the demolition of the old factory is long overdue.

"It's obvious it's an eyesore and having it torn down is of great importance, since it sits at one of the entrances to Lawrence County," Stephens said. "I would love to see it happen."

McGinnis Inc. has expressed an interest in using the site for intermodal freight services - a plan that could create more than 50 new jobs.

There is a public hearing on the Carlyle Tile proposal at 11.a.m. today the village office on Carlton-Davidson Road.

This proposal and other requests for funding will be

forwarded to the Public Works/Integrating Committee, the government body that will review grant applications.

Coal Grove officials should know if their application is approved by Dec. 14.