Magic City Discovery Center has advanced in competition for a grant from the Department of Defense’s “Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot.” The program targets projects in communities serving military installations.

Magic City Discovery Center is seeking $6.3 million toward a $11.9 million project to construct a 22,099-square-foot children’s museum on North Hill. The remainder of the money has been raised in donations.

The Minot City Council in June authorized Magic City Discovery Center and two other nonprofits to apply for grants using the city as a pass-through entity. The grant application indicates that the city is responsible for any cost overruns that might occur.

In special session Monday, the council amended language in the grant application and, if the grant is approved, would specify in a sub-recipient agreement with Magic City Discovery Center that the center is responsible for all costs.

Entities whose grant requests did not advance are Souris River Animal Shelter, which had asked for $3 million for shelter expansion and improvements, and YWCA Minot, which sought $18 million for a new campus.

– Jill Schramm