The Magic City Discovery Center will be able to launch construction of a children’s museum with the announcement Friday of a $6.3 million grant from the Department of Defense. The grant is coming through the City of Minot.

Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND, announced the grant Friday.

The interactive children’s museum will provide science, technology, engineering, art and math educational opportunities for Minot-area families, including those stationed at Minot Air Force Base. Funds provided under the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program will be combined with local funds to complete the nearly $14 million museum.

Although an announcement was not expected until next week, Hoeven said he recently contacted the Department of Defense on behalf of the project sponsors, urging the department to approve Minot’s application and award the funds in a timely fashion to ensure the project can move forward without delay. The 22,000-square-foot center will be constructed on Minot Park District land on North Hill.

“This project represents an exciting opportunity for children and families at the Minot Air Force Base as well as those throughout the surrounding area,” Hoeven said. “We appreciate the hard work of the local project sponsors to secure both federal and local funding to make this project a reality, as it is an important investment in the success of today’s youth as well as the future of our state and nation. That’s exactly why we funded this new pilot program through the Defense Appropriations Committee and urged the administration to advance Minot’s application. We look forward to the facility’s completion.”

“We are thrilled about the DCIP grant award,” said Wendy Keller, executive director at the discovery center. She said more announcements about the planned museum will be coming soon.