The new facility for Island Transit edges closer to completion, Director Martha Rose of Island Transit told the Freeland Chamber of Commerce at its June 18 meeting at Useless Bay Golf and County Club.

The project made possible by a $17.9 million federal grant will have an open house in November, she said.

Some workers moved into the administration finance portion of the facility, located south of Coupeville, in late June. Island Transit is working with Tiger Construction to continue to be under budget and to hire as many local workers for the project as possible.

Rose said one of the goals for the facility is to be as “green” as they can be. They are using recycled oil to heat the existing building and will continue that practice. In the new facility four boilers will be installed to run off of diesel and recycled oil.

The new facility will increase acreage for the property from 2.5 acres to 13.8 acres.