The Ohio Department of Natural Resources awarded $2.3 million to the Trumbull County Historical Society for the creation of the Museum of Science Fiction and Fantasy Arts in Warren.

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

It is the second largest of the six awarded grants. Meghan Reed, executive director of the Trumbull County Historical Society, 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.

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.