RAVENNA, Ohio (November 21, 2025) – A 157-year-old building in downtown Ravenna has been renovated thanks to a community partnership involving Levenger Holdings, JobsOhio, Team NEO, the City of Ravenna and Main Street Ravenna. A ribbon-cutting ceremony held today celebrated the completion of the project and the next phase of downtown Ravenna’s revitalization.
“Communities like Ravenna are the heart of our state’s vibrant heritage and essential to our future economic success,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “This building has been a mainstay in Ravenna for nearly 160 years, and this restoration will create opportunities for a new generation of small businesses and entrepreneurs in Portage County.”
The nearly $225,000 investment transforms the underutilized structure at 220 West Main Street into a modern, mixed-use coworking space—with an entrance on North Park Way—designed to foster business startups and local growth.
“The City of Ravenna is excited to see the vision to renovate and repurpose the building become a reality,” said Mayor Frank Seman. “This redevelopment not only enhances the building itself, but provides opportunities for entrepreneurial businesses to open and operate in the downtown district while intensifying the welcoming entranceway to the city’s new community park.”
Built in 1868, the building was revitalized with the help of a $100,00 JobsOhio Vibrant Communities grant. The program was established to assist small- and medium-sized communities by encouraging catalytic development projects that fulfill a market need and represent a significant reinvestment in Ohio communities. Eligible projects include mixed-use projects, real estate development projects and shared spaces that meet the JobsOhio project criteria.
“Through strong collaboration with our regional and local partners, this revitalization is the next step in ensuring Ravenna attracts more businesses and the people who frequent them downtown,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “This renovated space will attract more jobs, new residents and additional investment along Ravenna’s Main Street downtown.”
The project marks the first significant investment in Ravenna’s downtown following the historic preservation plan and downtown master plan commissioned by Main Street Ravenna, a nonprofit economic development organization that will also be leasing office space in the building.
Mayor Seman credited Levenger Holdings President Ben Levenger for his entrepreneurial dream—a dream made real, and celebrated at today’s community ribbon-cutting.
“This project will serve as a catalyst for economic development, leading the way to show the region how mixed-use and downtown-specific projects can be a leader for change,” Levenger said. “Through this project, the community will be provided with a model for rehabilitation that can be emulated or adapted to other buildings within the historic downtown core.”
The project will create and retain at least 10 jobs in Ravenna.
“Today’s ribbon-cutting marks more than the transformation of an underutilized building—it represents a new chapter of opportunity for the Ravenna community,” said Team NEO Chief Executive Officer Matt Dolan. “We were delighted to work with our partners to invest in the businesses and people that will continue to move our region forward.”