Ohio Awards Energy Efficiency Grant to Youngstown Building
The state provided funding to help modernize the Ohio One building's infrastructure and reduce utility consumption.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Business — General
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The Ohio Department of Development has awarded a $254,169 grant to the Ohio One Group to support energy efficiency upgrades at their Youngstown office building. This project is part of a broader $7.5 million state initiative providing capital to 11 different organizations.
Why it matters
The funding helps facilities reduce long-term utility costs and lower their energy usage through targeted infrastructure improvements. These upgrades aim to ensure aging or large commercial buildings meet higher performance standards.
The Ohio One Group project is projected to achieve a 24.1 percent annual reduction in utility energy consumption. This grant supports the state's minimum requirement for funded projects to demonstrate at least a 15 percent decrease in energy usage.
The players
Ohio Department of Development
This state agency oversees economic and community development initiatives and manages the Advanced Energy Fund.
Ohio One Group
This organization owns the Ohio One office building located in Youngstown, Ohio.
The details
The Ohio One Group, which purchased the property at 25 E. Boardman St. in 2025, plans to install LED lighting and a digital building controls system. Further improvements include enhancements to the building envelope and necessary repairs to steam traps.
Timeline
The Ohio One Group purchased the office building in 2025.
The Ohio Department of Development announced the new grant awards on October 30, 2026.
Market Landscape
This grant is a recent allocation from the Advanced Energy Fund, which has distributed over $32 million to support energy efficiency projects across 29 counties. The initiative positions the state as a primary financier for commercial and institutional efforts to modernize aging infrastructure.
While these energy improvements target facility operations, such upgrades can lead to a more reliable and cost-effective office environment for local businesses and tenants. These efforts generally support community-wide goals of reducing long-term utility demand.
The takeaway
Commercial building owners can leverage state energy efficiency grants to offset the high capital costs associated with modernizing legacy systems. These projects demonstrate how targeted infrastructure investments can yield double-digit percentage savings in annual energy usage.
Further reading
For more information on the state's economic development initiatives, visit the Business — General section.
Live Poll
Should states provide grant funding for energy efficiency improvements in private office buildings?
