Ohio opens new round of historic building tax credits
Ohio opens new round of historic building tax credits
Jane Imbody, Chillicothe GazetteMon, July 27, 2026 at 9:02 AM UTC
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Ohio property owners and developers can now apply for a new round of state tax credits aimed at restoring historic buildings and returning them to active community use.
The Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program has helped rehabilitate 1,032 historic buildings in 95 Ohio communities through 36 previous funding rounds, according to a community announcement.
The program, administered by the Ohio Department of Development, provides tax credits for qualifying rehabilitation projects involving historic structures. State officials said the incentive is intended to encourage investment in older properties while preserving historic architecture.
“Historic buildings don’t have to be reminders of what a community once was — they can be part of what it becomes,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. “By bringing these properties back to life, we’re creating new opportunities for businesses, strengthening neighborhoods, and preserving an important part of Ohio’s story.”
Property owners and developers interested in applying must submit an Intent to Apply by 4 p.m. Aug. 14 through development.ohio.gov.
Applicants also must request a pre-application meeting with the State Historic Preservation Office by 5 p.m. July 31 through ohiohistory.org.
Key deadlines for Round 37
The current application round follows this schedule:
July 31, 5 p.m.: State Historic Preservation Office pre-application meeting request deadline.
Aug. 14, 4 p.m.: Intent to Apply deadline.
Aug. 14, 5 p.m.: State Historic Preservation Office pre-application meeting deadline.
Aug. 31, 5 p.m.: Historic Documentation Parts 1 and 2 deadline.
Sept. 1-Dec. 1: Historic documentation review period.
Sept. 30, 4 p.m.: Application and fee deadline.
Oct. 1-Dec. 1: Development application review period.
By Dec. 31: Award announcements.
Eligibility and preservation requirements
The tax credit program is administered in partnership with the Ohio History Connection’s State Historic Preservation Office.
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“The Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit program is essential to preserving historic buildings throughout Ohio,” said Diana Welling, State Historic Preservation Officer. “Along with federal historic tax credits, this program helps preserve communities and their sense of place, allowing them to continue telling stories from Ohio's history.”
The State Historic Preservation Office reviews properties to determine whether they qualify as historic buildings and whether proposed rehabilitation plans meet federal preservation standards.
Eligible buildings must be individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, contribute to a recognized historic district, or meet other qualifying local landmark criteria outlined by preservation officials.
Additional information about the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program is available at development.ohio.gov.
Pipeline initiative offers help with nominations
Property owners seeking National Register recognition for a building or district may be eligible for assistance through the Historic Preservation Pipeline Initiative.
Funding information and application materials are available at development.ohio.gov.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Ohio opens new round of historic building tax credits
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