YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Mahoning Valley Historical Society (MVHS) will receive a total of $1.35 million from the state of Ohio in the new biennial Capital Budget.

MVHS will receive $750,000 from the One Time Strategic Community Investment Fund, and $600,000 from the 2025-2026 capital budget.

These funds are part of the $3.5 billion House Bill 2, which was approved by the Ohio State Legislature in June and signed by Governor Mike DeWine on Friday, June 28. The bill was formulated to support facilities and local community infrastructure in "a focus on creating jobs and growing Ohio's economy."

In a press release, MVHS states that the funds will go toward upgrading and improving the former IBM building in downtown Youngstown which the society purchased back in November 2023.

"We are looking forward to moving into our third site in downtown Youngstown and being part of the vibrant East End, and these funds will help us do just that," says Bill Lawson, MVHS Executive Director.

MVHS explains that the 44-year-old building is in need of updates, including windows, roofing, the outer brick surfaces, underlying steel supports, and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.