Bend's Nosler Inc. confirmed Tuesday it has purchased the former Mt. Bachelor ?bus barn? building located at 115 SW Columbia St. for $1 million.

"This acquisition was made as a strategic move in anticipation of future growth and expansion of Nosler Inc. during the coming years," said a brief company statement.

"Having expanded the workforce to over 130 employees in the current year, Nosler has outgrown the present facilities," the announcement added. "Acquiring the additional space will allow Nosler to reorganize the plant layout, allowing for greater efficiency and capacity."

With the purchase of the ADJACENT ?bus barn? building, Nosler will now have about 80,000 square feet of roofed space. Purchasing the building will allow Nosler to expand in the short term while preserving the option to build on the northern section of their current property in the future, the firm said.

?We are very pleased to have acquired the property next to our current facilities as it will allow us to continue to expand, while creating more jobs for Central Oregonians.? said Nosler President and CEO Bob Nosler.

Mt. Bachelor moved to a contract with Cascades East Transit last fall after years of operating its own shuttle buses between Bend and the mountain.