NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) — General Electric Co. has donated $15 million to Newtown, Conn., to build and operate a community center.
Town officials said Monday that following the shooting deaths last December of 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School, it was clear the town lacked a central meeting space.
More than 150 employees of GE, which is headquartered in nearby Fairfield, live in Newtown.
The town says it will use $10 million to build the center and $5 million for operating costs over five years. That will include hiring staff. The center will be owned and operated by the town.
Jeff Immelt, chief executive of the industrial conglomerate, said that over the last year, GE employees who live in Newtown identified a community center as among the town's greatest needs.
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