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MAUMEE -- A local non-profit which provides assistance to people with developmental disabilities will benefit from a community development project.

The city of Maumee received a $200,000 community block grant from the State that will go towards remodeling the Artcrest building for Sunshine, formally known as Sunshine Children’s Home.  The building will be transformed into Sunshine Studios, which will place artists with developmental disabilities in an employment program.  More than 20 individuals will be given the chance to earn money and interact with the community.

In addition to the grant money, Artcrest owner Bob Reinhardt has agreed to invest $200,000 and Sunshine will invest $30,000 towards the community development project.

“This is a unique collaboration between a city government, a private owner and a non-profit organization,” said Deb Rasmusson, director of Vocational Services at Sunshine.

The Artcrest building, located in uptown Maumee, was built in 1877 and is 6,000 square feet. The building is located down the street from Sunshine’s other employment program Georgette’s Fair Trade Grounds & Gifts.