A local museum has been recognized by the state of North Carolina this year.

The Aurora Fossil Museum joined the likes of over 50 science centers in North Carolina that were honored as part of the North Carolina Science Museums Grant Program earlier this month.

The program awarded the museum with a grant to help enrich its science education.

“I was excited and relieved. This museum is small, and we do a lot with the money that we have, we really stretch everything we can in every corner we can,” Crane said. “This funding is a relief.”

The program, formerly known as the North Carolina Grassroots Science Museum Collaborative, funded the Aurora Fossil Museum just two years ago in 2015.  Last year, it was changed to a competitive grant program, and any museum in the state could apply for the funding.

“For a small museum with limited number of staff, it’s difficult to compete with heavily staffed museums, and just other museums,” Crane said. “Any funding is greatly appreciated.”

The individual grants ranged from approximately $15,000 to $75,000, and was awarded based on three tiers — the most 40 economically distressed counties fall in Tier 1, the next 40 in Tier 2, and the least distressed counties are categorized as Tier 3. Beaufort County is in Tier 1, according to a press release.

The program takes multiple things into consideration, according to Crane. She said within each tier, each science center is ranked based on geographic location and the ratio between how many visitors the museum sees and how many people live in the area. The grant also looks to see how many collaborative projects the museum has been a part of, as well how many other museums are close to it.

“AFM has a unique standing. It qualified for all of the above. We received a good size grant,” Crane said.

Crane said the $75,000 awarded to the fossil musuem will undoubtedly help her foundation be successful in the upcoming years. The funding will help increase science education, programming and outreach efforts to potential visitors from outside Beaufort County.

“It’s good support for the museum. We’re very fortunate that the state continues to fund this program,” Crane said.