STURBRIDGE, Mass. - The former truck stop off Route 20 in Sturbridge is being transformed into a convention center and a travel stop.

Sturbridge town administrator Robin Grimm said they're working with Noble Energy and construction is underway on the $17.5 million project.

The highway stop will include a restaurant and shops, as well as a 16,000 square foot, two floor 'Electric Vehicle Discovery Center' with electric vehicle charging stations and a gas station.

Grimm said it's a great location, sitting at the crossroads of two major highways, and it will be the first in the country like it.

"Everything from sample electric cars for people to just try out and drive to a convention center for industry people from around the country to come in, for local municipalities to come learn about electric vehicles they may want to incorporate into their fleet and without the pressure of sales," Grimm said.

"So someone who is just curious if they might like an electric vehicle for instance to just try it out to see what they think. There is also going to be history, a museum and educational information."

Grimm said another unique feature of this stop is the restaurant will run a program partnering with Nichols College and Tantasqua Regional High School to provide pathways to management for students, including how to manage large retail operations.