A group of Mahoning Valley business owners are working to open a Fine and Performing Arts Center in Howland.

Diane and Kurt Sauer of Diane Sauer Chevrolet are leading a committee to get the project started at the high school. 

The idea was originally proposed by the school district, but a representative for the district says the cost of the project was too much.

Now the committee, led by the Sauer's and including bankers and teachers, is helping bring the school districts idea to life.

Their plan is to build a 30,000 square foot performing arts center and they are hoping to raise at least $20 million to make it happen. 

"We will be looking for public and private funding for this. Local level funding, state level funding, federal [funding], and then soliciting money from individuals and businesses in the community," Diane Sauer told 21 News. 

The Sauer's said the facility would be a stage for all schools in Trumbull County. 

"We're looking to not only have this facility used by Howland schools, but also other schools," Kurt Sauer said. 

The first step in this process is raising enough money to conduct a feasibility study with Cramer and Associates Inc.