Associated Press - April 17, 2009 4:44 PM ET

GREENFIELD, Mass. (AP) - Work has begun on the first "shovel ready" project in Massachusetts paid for with federal stimulus dollars.

Gov. Deval Patrick and Congressman John Olver helped break ground on the new transit center in Greenfield.

The $12.8 million Franklin Regional Transit Center will act as a transportation hub for Franklin County, serving both public and private transit services.

The 24,000-square-foot building is being designed to use far less energy than conventional buildings - including the possibility of producing some of its own electricity.

The new transit hub is also intended to help lure additional investment and redevelopment to downtown Greenfield.

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