It’s a huge step forward for the proposed dinosaur museum in South Bend.

The South Bend Common Council has approved $2.7 million for South Bend Chocolate Company owner Mark Tarner to help build the proposed dinosaur museum, chocolate factory and chocolate museum.

Part of the deal calls for Tarner to invest nearly $15.5 million at the location off of U.S. 20 and U.S. 31 where the factory and museums are being built.

Once everything is open and operating, Tarner expects to add about 150 jobs to the area workforce.