The research lab, which would manufacture fuel cells and develop related products, would initially generate 35-40 jobs.

But school officials envision much more with the building becoming the first resident of a long-envisioned research park that could produce hundreds of jobs. 

 "Without question, this is going to be a dramatic change - we've been working on this for months," said Dave Doherty, Kettering's vice president of international and government affairs.

The 20,000-square-foot building would be located on what is now a vacant parking lot off Bluff Street across Chevrolet Avenue from the C.S. Mott Engineering & Science Center. The 18-acre area, given to Kettering by General Motors, was once the site of several riverfront factories since demolished.

Delphi would use 12,000 square feet, while Kettering and the Flint-Genesee Economic Growth Alliance are now courting three or four renewable energy companies for the remaining space, said Edward Donovan, the alliance's president.

Doherty said construction could be right around the corner.

"Ideally, we would like to see something start in the fall," Doherty said of construction. "My hunch is this fall or next spring. It's been an on-again, off-again thing."

Kettering would put up $807,050 for the project, with a $1.3-million grant from the federal Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration and a $538,084 grant from the state Economic Development Corp.'s Core Communities Fund. The Growth Alliance would administer both grants, and the city would serve as the fiduciary for the state grant.

Approvals for the state and federal money could occur in October, Donovan said, if the Flint City Council approves submitting an application Monday for the grant, which is expected. 

 "We're very confident this thing will get done," he said, noting there have been many discussions already with state and federal officials. "It's just a question of going through the (hoops)."

Donovan said time is crucial with many worldwide efforts trying to develop products around the fuel cell. He said if Flint doesn't get the plant, Kettering's research will eventually be taken elsewhere for development.

"You plant the flag somewhere and go from there," he said. "You could have a mini-tech corridor." 

 Kettering already focuses heavily on the research end of fuel cells in its new Center for Fuel Cell Systems & Powertrain Integration.

The three-story center houses custom-built hydrogen test equipment, a hydrogen generator, offices for a high-technology business incubator, and space for visiting fuel cell researchers.

The new building could house companies that will manufacture fuel cell prototypes.

This latest development follows news of Kettering's partnership with the Mass Transportation Authority to purchase a fuel cell-powered bus, construct a fueling station and study how well the bus performs.

Council members welcomed news of the project Wednesday, with 6th Ward Councilman Mark A. Horrigan calling the site "the perfect spot" and 9th Ward Councilman Scott Kincaid saying it's the city's chance to be part of the "Silicon Valley" for fuel cells.

"If we don't think we ought to do that, we ought to go back and ride a horse," 1st Ward Councilman Darryl E. Buchanan said.

Joe Conroy, an aide to Mayor Don Williamson, said this is the kind of economic development the city needs.

"We hope this center, which Delphi is a partner in, will be the center in the country for fuel cell development, so it does have a tremendous amount of hope for this community," Conroy said.

The Flint Journal could not reach Delphi officials for comment Wednesday night.