The RHI Legacy Foundation awarded a $250,000 challenge grant to complete The FACTORY
KidSenses Children’s Interactive Museum, Rutherfordton, received a $250,000 Challenge Grant to help complete construction of The FACTORY – A Place to Meet and Make. Every additional dollar given to the project (up to $250,000) will be matched by this extraordinary gift.
This grant and matching donors will make it possible to open The FACTORY in 2022. Exterior construction will be completed by the first of the year, and then interior renovations will begin.
When completed, The FACTORY, KidSenses Children’s Museum, and Discovery Garden together will comprise a 27,000 square-foot museum complex.
“A long-time supporter of KidSenses and The FACTORY project, The RHI Legacy Foundation continues to demonstrate its passion and commitment to the health and wellbeing of our community”, said Willard Whitson, KidSenses’ Executive Director.
“KidSenses will continue to implement programs that emphasize the connection between good nutrition and health in their Food Studio that will be located in the new facility. We are pleased to be one of the financial supporters of The FACTORY that expands this important, healthy work”, commented Jill Miracle, RHI Legacy Foundation’s community impact director.
The FACTORY is the Museum’s exciting new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) learning center which will provide fun and challenging activities in a variety of maker zones.
“The Factory will not only serve our current demographic, but is being developed to relengage youth eleven and older, many of whom are at risk. Increasingly, jobs in our region reflect a STEAM-based economy, and THE FACTORY will help our youth acquire the knowledge and develop the skills and attitudes necessary to succeed in this future work environment,” said Mr. Whitson.
KidSenses Children’s Interactive Museum is located at 172 N. Main Street in Historic Downtown Rutherfordton.
