RUTLAND, Vt. -
Another blighted Rutland building will be getting a facelift.
Downtown Rutland's largest empty property, the former Eastman building, will become the home of Green Mountain Power's Energy Innovation Center.
GMP officials say it will be a place where customers can learn about energy generation and the environmental impact of energy decisions through interactive displays.
Downtown Rutland Partnership Director Michael Coppinger said the purchase of the building -- which has long needed some love -- is great news for the city in working to establish it's identity as the solar capital of Vermont. And, he adds, it's great news for the building's neighbors.
"The other thing is bringing employees -- high paid employees -- over to this side of downtown, which is great for all of the diners and shops that are around it," he said.
The center will start with 14 employees working in a location across the street during the renovation process, which is expected to take a year. But the staff could grow to as large as 36 when the remodel is complete.
