The Museum of Science Fiction and Fantasy Arts in Warren is one step closer to blast off after receiving a $2.3 million grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

It was one of six grants announced Thursday by ODNR from its Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program, which promotes economic and environmental opportunities within historic coal mining communities.

The money earmarked for the Trumbull County Historical Society’s project is the second largest of the six announced grants. TCHS Executive Director Meghan Reed said she was told it was a “Top five” proposal among 70 applications.

“One of the reasons why our application was successful is because of the strong economic impact the museum can have on the local community,” Reed said.

Reed and Ryan MacLennan, TCHS director of operations and outreach, were in Columbus for an Ohio 250 kickoff event on Wednesday when Reed received notification about the grant.

“When Meg told me, I couldn’t actually believe it,” MacLennan said. “I didn’t have words. About a half hour later, when we were sitting at lunch, ‘Oh, wow, this is amazing’ … It’s encouraging that the state has faith in the project and what it can do for the community.'”

The grant money will be awarded in two phases. The first $320,000 will go toward design and environmental reviews, and the remaining funds, nearly $2 million, will go toward construction.

“It certainly accelerates plans,” Reed said. “First of all, it gives us a very set timeline, and we have to work within the timeline set by the grant.”

Completing the architectural designs and determining the different phases for renovating and adapting the building at 410 Main Ave. SW will need to be done this year, and the project will go out for construction bids in 2027.

Washington, D.C.-based architecture firm Hickok Cole was hired in 2024 to design the museum. Its past projects include the International Spy Museum, National Geographic Pavilion and the headquarters of National Public Radio.

“We know that we want to open a part of the building, and with this money we’ll be able to open something, to do a launch of the museum,” she said. “But how much of the building we’ll be able to open will be very dependent on the fundraising that we can do over the first part of this year.”

TCHS applied for additional grants, including one from the Appalachian Regional Commission for $2 million, and those grant decisions should be made by spring.

The project also is soliciting private donors.

“Our campaign committee has been working on naming rights packages, and now is the time for us to really secure exactly what those packages will look like and open up those opportunities to potential donors in our region and within national fandom communities,” Reed said.