Earlier this week the Iowa Economic Development Authority announced awards given to restore 13 historic buildings and one of those recipients is in Guthrie County.

Aust Real Estate received $307,125 from the IEDA Historic Preservation Tax Credits program to continue to renovate the Hotel Stuart. The building has been under renovation for several years, but work has picked up recently, with the goal of converting the first floor to a commercial space with four upper story apartments.

The Historic Preservation Tax Credits allows for state income tax credits for projects to rehab underused or historic vacant buildings, while also maintaining the characteristics that enhance communities and neighborhoods. The Hotel Stuart project was one of 13 recipients across Iowa that received a total of $25 million.