NORWICH – The Chenango County Area Corporation announced Monday that a Pennsylvania businessman has secured an option to purchase the Eaton Center in Norwich.

The Eaton Center is a 199,000 square foot facility encompassing approximately 6.5 acres in downtown Norwich. It currently houses offices for over 55 businesses employing approximately 350 people. Roughly 90 percent of the renovated space within the building is rented.

The complex was given to the Chenango County Industrial Development Agency and the Area Corp. in 1996 after Procter & Gamble moved its administration and marketing operations to Cincinnati. P&G also provided a financial package to sustain the office building for the first five years.

Norwich Realtor Irmin A. Mody represents the interests of the potential buyer, Randal Hadeed of Fleetwood, Pa. During the option period, Hadeed and his representatives have the opportunity to perform a number of environmental and financial surveys, and to inspect the property before making a purchase decision.