Indicative of the university's progress in becoming a major player in developing this promising technology is last week's news that the U.S. Commerce Department is granting $1.62 million toward developing a fuel cell research lab for Delphi Corp. and perhaps three or four other emerging technology companies.

It is the second huge grant from the Commerce Department in two years for fuel cell research at Kettering. Last year, it gave the school $1.8 million toward developing the Center for Fuel Cell Systems & Powertrain Integration, a facility whose opening in June signaled to the science and engineering world the seriousness of Kettering's commitment to this field.

If the research lab is built as planned on old Chevrolet factory property next to Kettering, it should be the first of several such R&D operations locating there as part of a mini-technology corridor along the Flint River. Such a possibility now must be considered likely, no longer a pipe dream as some might have thought when the school first talked about its vision for itself, the city of Flint and this possible future power source for the auto industry.

But that is often how new products and economic development come about. People with ideas, talent and determination lead us to a future most can't see until they're immersed within it. Kettering's goal as expressed on its Web site views Flint and Michigan becoming the "location of choice for the world's leading power electronic firms and fuel cell and automotive manufacturers ..."

Of course, there are other communities around the globe that have similar plans and resolve, and they must see Flint as their competition for this potential jackpot of profitable companies and good jobs.

Therefore, more strides will have to be made, not just by Kettering, but by any public or private entity that can enhance an environment in Genesee County for technological innovation. A good example of this is the Mass Transportation Authority's partnership with Kettering on fuel cell-powered buses. The arrangement, which anticipates substantial funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation among others, will add to the university's ability to make this technology commercially viable.

Not that Kettering is putting all of its research efforts into fuel cells. However, this program is what's garnering the school broad attention and support. It also helps counteract Flint's image as a relic of the nation's industrial past. With all the bad news the domestic auto companies produced in 2005 - and with more of the same on the way - Kettering's growing national reputation as an incubator for fuel cell innovation creates some optimism for 2006.