Ohio History Connection laid off 12 historic preservation employees on Friday, because the organization was counting on $1.5 million in already-appropriated federal funds to pay the staff that handles several federally-mandated programs, but the Trump administration hasn't released the money.
Ohio History Connection houses the State Historic Preservation Office, and that office gets 60% of its budget from the federal government.
The office had 36 employees, so terminating 12 positions equals a reduction of a third of the department.
In an email to employees, obtained by WOSU, the organization states Congress appropriated funding to continue the programming this year, but hasn't released the money.
"As a reminder, roughly 60% of SHPO鈥檚 funding comes from the federal Historic Preservation Fund鈥攁dministered by the National Park Service and supported by proceeds from offshore oil and gas leases. Although these funds were appropriated for the current federal fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024, they have not yet been released," the email states.
Megan Wood, the CEO and executive director of the Ohio History Connection, states in the email that it will be challenging to continue responsibilities, but the office will.
"We know the coming months will be challenging, and that extended processing times may occur as we adjust to these changes. Nonetheless, we remain committed to our mission and to serving the people and communities of Ohio through the preservation of our shared heritage," Wood wrote in the email.
The State Historic Preservation Office handles several federally-mandated duties, including the administration of the National Register of Historic Places and the the Federal Historic Tax Credit Program.
The State Historic Preservation Office also administers compliance reviews.
"This is part of what's known as Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966," said Ohio History Connection spokesperson Neil Thompson. "And those reviews take place when federal money is applied to any development project or any project that includes an archeological component for its completion."
Some preservation projects can't move forward without proving compliance.
"All of those duties and responsibilities will be maintained. There might be extended timelines on some of these job functions," Thompson said.
Thompson said he doesn't have details on why the government hasn't released the money.
"I think everything is just being reviewed right now. I don't have any specifics on that," Thompson said.
Wood stated in her email that the organization has tried to get the funds released, but with no success.
"We have been working tirelessly with the governor鈥檚 office, our board, and Ohio鈥檚 congressional delegation to advocate for the timely release of these funds. However, with the majority of our (State Historic Preservation Office) budget allocated to personnel, we are unable to sustain our current staffing levels without this federal support," the email states.
Thompson said he couldn't specify which positions were cut.
"When it comes to personnel issues, I can't comment on that directly, but I can say that this did affect all of the responsibilities throughout the State Historic Preservation," he said.
When asked if the employees would return if the funds came through, Thompson said, "We just don't know and we would have to make that decision when the time comes. That would include determining if federal funding would be received in future federal years."
He said he couldn't speculate on how members of the public and other historic organizations in the state might be impacted.
"There could be some longer timelines for work to be completed. But work will be completed, and we remain committed to serving everyone who interacts with us, and most of them are Ohio citizens, and that's very important as we work together with them on the goals of preservation and everything that the State Historic Preservation Office does and stands for," Thompson said.
WOSU has emailed the offices of Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno to ask why the funds haven't been released, they haven't responded, yet.
