$1.8 Million Grant Jumpstarts Kettering University's Fuel Cell Lab

FLINT, Mich.--Jan. 29, 2004--Kettering University will construct the Center for Fuel Cell Systems and Powertrain Integration on its campus in Flint, Mich., thanks to a $1.8 million grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The EDA grant is the keystone of a funding package that totals $3 million and allows Kettering to create a world-class education in fuel cell engineering and help develop a trained workforce. Kettering will combine the EDA grant with $500,000 previously received from the State of Michigan and another $700,000 from industry and Kettering sources to begin the building project.

The $1.8 million EDA grant announcement was made Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, by federal representative David Sampson, assistant secretary of commerce for economic development, during ceremonies in Kettering's new C.S. Mott Engineering and Science Center. "Today we can see first hand how a strong local partnership between the public and private sectors, working with the higher education community, can help a region create employment opportunities," Sampson said.

"This investment is based on regional cooperation and will provide substantial direct benefits for high-tech economic development in Genesee County and the surrounding communities," Sampson continued. "The Industry Partnership Consortium supporting this investment includes Ford Motor Company, NextEnergy, Advance Measurements Inc., General Hydrogen, the U.S. Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command, and General Motors. These institutions have joined together in a true partnership for regional economic development."

K. Joel Berry, professor and head of Kettering's Mechanical Engineering Department, said Kettering's new center, and the collaboration with the State of Michigan, ensures that Flint and Genesee County are partners in the next transportation and power generation revolution.

Kettering will construct a new center that is approximately 8,600 square feet -- 5,452 square feet on the ground floor of laboratory space and another 3,150 square feet on the first floor to support business incubator office space for new and existing companies.

"The funds will provide specialized equipment, instrumentation and infrastructure required to meet the vision, mission and goals of the center," Berry said. He noted that the center holds promise to accelerate the development and commercialization of fuel cells for stationary and mobile applications.