"Mars Borough secured a $1 million RACP grant yesterday, the day after regional dignitaries toured the town. The tour included a stop at the Mars historical society, where (from left) curator William Swaney drove DCED representative Rick Vilello, Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau Director Debbie Crum, Mars Bank President James Dionise, Mars Mayor Gregg Hartung, state Senator Scott Hutchinson, Butler County Commissioner Kim Geyer and historical society president John Watson on the Mars Shortline Railroad."

MARS — A day after welcoming dignitaries to the borough to preview plans for the Mars Discovery Center — a public Mars and NASA educational facility — Mayor Gregg Hartung received good news.

“Mars has been awarded a $1 million grant,” Hartung said.

Hartung's first thought when he got the news was, “Oh, wow.”

The borough applied for a $2.25 million Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant in April to go toward both the NASA center and the town's Downtown Destination Project. Though the full amount wasn't awarded, Hartung estimates the money covers up to a fourth of the overall project.

“This is the start,” Hartung said. “(It will) give NASA the green light.”

The money lets the borough “get serious” about purchasing property for the center.

The plan is to buy the building along Crowe Avenue that houses the Woodland Valley Church. The details haven't been discussed, but Hartung indicated plans have been in the works. A key part of buying the building is finding a new place that suits the church.

“They're willing to consider that (move),” the mayor said. “They want to see it work, too.”

The property is valued between $400,000 and $450,000. It may be available for less.

Hartung explained the grant will help the borough hire engineers to assess if the building is suitable for the center or if another must be built.

NASA will be providing resources like speakers, displays and educational materials.

Hartung hopes the grant will be a “catalyst” that draws other Mars exploration groups. He has a specific organization in mind, but doesn't want to speak too soon.

The mayor expressed gratitude for the support the borough received from residents, visitors, businesses and politicians.

Without events that showed government officials what the borough has — and could have — Hartung isn't sure the borough would have received the funding.

“We had showed our potential with what we've done with ... NASA,” he said. “(I'm) extremely thankful to everybody.”

More information will be available as plans move forward.

In the meantime, the borough is figuring out the next step in the grant process.

“We'll keep rolling the rock up the hill,” Hartung said.