WEIRTON — Area officials are among those hoping to receive a portion of a state grant to fund a series of mural projects across West Virginia in celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial.

Hancock County commissioners were approached Tuesday by Rachel Keeney, director of the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Weirton Mayor Dean Harris, seeking support from the county for the application of funding through West Virginia’s America250 Mural Project.

“We’d like to do one in downtown Weirton,” Keeney said. “It’s a nice hub for the area.”

Keeney explained the idea, if approved through the grant program, would be organized through the auspices of the CVB and the Top of West Virginia Arts Council.

She said a specific location for a mural had yet to be selected, although a template for a design was in the works.

The mural program was announced by Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Nov. 7, as a portion of West Virginia’s observances of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

“West Virginia’s story is one worth telling, and I can’t think of a better time to share it than during the year of America’s 250th birthday,” Morrisey said in a press release issued by the West Virginia Department of Tourism.

Each county is set to receive $5,000 to help cover the costs of materials and artist fees. The grants are made possible through a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

Harris indicated discussions on a separate mural project, through the City of Weirton, had been taking place; however, those plans did not align with the deadlines established by the state for the America250 project.

“We were kind of timeframing it for the Fourth of July,” Harris said.

According to a letter sent to county commissioners by Secretary of Tourism Chelsea Ruby and Director of Arts Jenna Green, in order to receive grant funding, a project must be completed by April 1.

Harris added there is the potential for both projects to still take place, but with the city going on its own with its planned mural.

Commissioners voted unanimously to support the CVB’s project.

“This project is in very capable hands,” Commission President Eron Chek said.

Any murals selected as part of the America250 program must incorporate the official logo for the program, and will be included in promotion through the Department of Tourism.