A $100,000 grant from the federal government will help State Theatre, Inc. raise funds for the renovation and restoration of the site.

House Appropriations Committee member and U.S. Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., said the grant for the State Theatre, 128 W. College Ave., is part of the 2005 consolidated appropriations bill that was signed into law by President George W. Bush on Dec. 8.

The bill gave out many grants to other historic sites along with the State Theatre's grant, Peterson said.

Peterson added that he requested the grant to help renovate State Theatre, and he said he was drawn to the project last year while touring the theater with other members of the project.

"The old theater in my town was torn down, and it's a tragedy when these old theaters are demolished," Peterson said. "I'm delighted to assist."

State Theatre President Mike Negra said construction is set to begin in April but is still subject to change depending on fundraising.

Negra said that even though more than $2 million has been raised for the project, another $2.2 million must be raised.

"We're working with individuals, corporations, foundations and governments to help [donate]," Negra said. "This grant will certainly help, and a good donation would certainly speed things up, but the soonest we could begin would be April."

Some of the project's board members and directors said they were happy to receive the grant. "The grant was great news," said Teresa Sparacino, State Theatre Inc. board member and State College Downtown Improvement District director.

Jack LaFond, executive director of State Theatre Inc., said because of the group's efforts, he is sure the project will happen soon.

"It rounds out our local, regional and national support," LaFond said. "We are refining the scope of work and aggressively soliciting bids from local contractors."

Sparacino said the theater is taking loans from Nittany Bank, 116 E. College Ave., to start construction, but the $100,000 grant they just received will help repay that loan.

Negra said if fundraising continues, construction would begin in April and end in December. The effort to restore the theater is in its fourth year, Lafond said. "The board of directors was formed in 2001, we acquired the building in 2003, and we've been raising money and promoting the project for about three years," LaFond said.

Lafond said the theater would reopen as a performing arts venue.

"It will be an intimate 560-seat theater, with improved sight lines, seating and acoustics," he added.

Lafond said the theater plans on partnering with other local groups to bring in audiences as well as acts from all over the world.

Peterson said the theater would be a "great" addition to the downtown area with long-term benefits.

Negra says it's up to individual people in the community to make sure this project is completed and fulfills its mission as a community arts venue.

"I don't see a $1.5 million grant on the horizon, but it could happen," Negra said.