A brand new home for art could be in the works for our area. Congressman Bob Ney approved a 150,000 dollar grant to the Foundation of Appalachian Ohio to fund a master plan for the development of an Artisan Center. The Appalachian Regional Commission is providing the funding. In addition to the A-R-C grant, The Ohio Department of Development is providing 100,000 dollars. The Ohio Arts Council, the Ohio Department of Tourism, the Department of Transportation, and The Ohio Bicentennial Committee are also collaborating on the project as part of The Ohio Artisan Steering Committee. If the project progresses, they hope to break ground by 2003. A location for the center has not yet been decided on. The center will include food, clothing, candles, wrought iron, stained glass, jewelry, baskets and clay.