Ohio's Historic Preservation Office Cuts Staff Amid Uncertain Federal Funding

COLUMBUS, Ohio—The Ohio State Historic Preservation Office has dismissed one-third of its staff due to the Trump administration withholding approximately $1.45 million in federal funds, according to officials.

It's still early to determine precisely how last Friday's layoffs of 12 out of the 36 employees at the State Historic Preservation Office will impact their operations. This office is responsible for recommending state locations for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, evaluating applications for federal historic preservation tax incentives, providing grant support to local authorities, and ensuring compliance with federal guidelines regarding preservation projects, along with various other duties.

The Columbus-based office isn’t a state agency but is part of the Ohio History Connection, the state’s historical society.

Diana Welling, the office’s director, stated in a letter the layoffs might result in "prolonged processing durations."

We understand that the upcoming months will present challenges," Welling said. "Nevertheless, we stay dedicated to our mission and to supporting the residents and communities of Ohio by safeguarding our collective legacy.

Neil Thompson, a spokesman for the Ohio History Connection, said the jobs the laid-off workers did “cover the entire gamut” of what the office does.

Thompson noted, though, that the office frequently needs to adhere to federal deadlines for completing tasks. Consequently, they would still achieve these deadlines despite having fewer employees.

"It's a component of our pledge to the preservation mission in Ohio," he stated.

Thompson mentioned that he was uncertain as to why the National Park Service has not yet forwarded the funds, constituting approximately 60% of the yearly budget for the State Historic Preservation office.

However, the delay comes as President Donald Trump and his administration have frozen (and, often, unfrozen) billions in federal grants and loans to various state agencies, businesses, and universities, along with laying off thousands of federal employees ( such as 1,000 at the National Park Service ).

The Plain Dealer/ cleveland.com reached out to the National Park Service for their input.

Welling, in her letter, stated her office has been working with Gov. Mike DeWine’s office and has asked Ohio’s congressional delegation to help release the money.

Asked why the layoffs are important, Thompson said the work of the State Historic Preservation Office – from National Register of Historic Places plaques to tax credits that help restore historic buildings – matters to Ohioans.

“The idea of historic preservation is incredibly important to the state of Ohio because it’s been to serve people in communities that are a part of this state,” he said.

Jeremy Pelzer covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

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