A local university is getting hands-on with a facility for students to study energy.
Eastern Illinois University's President Bill Perry and members of the Board of Trustees broke ground on a new addition to Eastern's campus this morning.
The new building will house the Center for Clean Energy Research and Education building where students and faculty will study suitable alternatives for energy.
Even with state budget cuts, Perry and other officials say the project will not be affected and will be productive in the long run.
Perry also says construction will start in May and should take about nine months.
EIU officials say the project's estimated cost is $1 million and should be finished by the end of the year.
The building will be located immediately north of Eastern's Renewable Energy Center, located near the intersection of 18th Street and Edgar Avenue.