As part of GMP’s focus on downtown revitalization of Vermont communities, they acquired one of the signature and vacant buildings in downtown Rutland. Their plan was to turn the venerable art deco structure into the Energy Innovation Center – both an operations center, a source of information and inspiration, as well as a community asset.

We were chosen to take the ground floor space and turn it into an energy museum representing GMP’s vision of Vermont’s energy future. Over the course of six dynamic and exciting months we traveled the state, from mountain top wind farms to historic hydro plants gathering the inspiration and background to tell their story.

The result was  a series of interactive exhibits demonstrating all phases of renewable energy in Vermont, a children’s educational space, several films, a 40 foot mural by Vermont artist David Hertzfeld and life-size animatronic talking Holstein teaching the value of Cow Power.

The EIC quickly drew the attention of energy and utility leaders from around the country and abroad as well as political leaders, including the US Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. Our work was covered nationally from NBC to USA Today and NPR. Our favorite honor came after GMP held a contest with every grade school in the state to name our talking cow. The winning name was Electra and it was announced with an ice cream social and full media coverage – along with a sign on the barn naming Ascendant partners Jim Giberti and Kristen smith as Electra’s “sire and dam”. We’re honored.