The city commission approved the grant to the Califnornia-based micro fuel cell systems manufacturer at its meeting Wednesday night.

The company plans to invest $1.4 million to upgrade a building and install equipment at 3250 Springfield Road and will create 150 jobs with an annual payroll of more than $12 million. The company expects to employ 350 or more people in five years.

The company expects to move into its new facility in mid-July, said Matt Luongo, spokesman for the Dayton Development Coalition.

In recent months, UltraCell has received a slew of funding:

    * In May it received a $1 million Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program grant issued by the Ohio State Controlling Board;
    * In February it received a $5 million 166 Direct Loan from the state;
    * In January it received a 75 percent, $3.9 million tax credit for 10 years; and
    * In December it received a $300,000 grant from the state.

UltraCell, founded in 2002, develops and manufactures micro fuel cell systems for portable devices, such as laptop computers. It has 55 workers worldwide.