State Representative Casey Kozlowski (R-Pierpont) today announced that the Ohio Department of Development has approved an application for a historic preservation tax credit to be used on the renovation project for the Hotel Ashtabula building on Main Avenue in Ashtabula.

The total tax credit of $639,350 will assist in allowing Signature Health, a leading mental health provider in Ashtabula County, to relocate its offices and 45 jobs to the building.

“I am pleased that our community is receiving the benefit of the Historic Preservation Tax Credit program. This is the first time that the program has been used on a project in Ashtabula,” Representative Kozlowski said. “It is important that businesses are not only able to expand in today’s economy, but also that they have more opportunity to use buildings that are currently vacant.”

Closed since 1985, Hotel Ashtabula is one of the most prominent structures in Ashtabula. It has hosted many significant guests, including Bob Hope.