National Hurricane Museum secures more than half of funding needed

The National Hurricane Museum & Science Center is expected to cost $70-million. Wednesday night Cheniere Energy donated $200,000 to the campaign.

"We are proud, very proud to be part of such an important project as the National Hurricane Museum & Science Center. This facility is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year," said Jason French, Cheniere Energy Director of Government & Public Affairs. "It will make Lake Charles' star on the map shine a little bit brighter."

In the 2014 session of the Louisiana legislature, lawmakers approved $28-million in funding support for the National Hurricane Museum & Science Center. That brings the contributions up to $36-million.

"The reality is it's right within our grasp, it's right there. We can make it happen," said Mayor Randy Roach.

Cheniere is now challenging other corporate and private sponsors to chip in and close the $34-million gap.

"Because in this room tonight exists the capability, literally, to close this gap. Literally, the decision makers that can make this happen - 12 months from now this thing can be done... They're in this room," said Gray Stream, NHMSC Board Chairman.

Stream said they expect to work hard to generate more donations over the next year and a half. Stream said he knows it's a big investment, but they are committed to creating a world class facility on the Lake Charles lakefront.

"The renderings absolutely do portray a vision of what the facility will be. It's meant to be bold. It's meant to make a statement. It's meant to plant a flag, so to speak, as far as how we want to brand ourselves regionally. It's certainly meant to be impressive and it will be," said Stream.