Kettering University will construct the Center for Fuel Cell Systems and Powertrain Integration, thanks to a $1.8 million grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The $1.8 million EDA grant is the keystone of a funding package that totals $3 million and will allow Kettering to begin construction of the new Center for Fuel Cell Systems and Powertrain Integration. Kettering will combine the $1.8 million 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.

Formal ceremonies at Kettering University may have focused on "a fuel cell vision for the future," but the real story in Flint this week was about Dr. K. Joel Berry's courage to dream.

A grand opening was hosted June 15 to formally open the Kettering University Center for Fuel Cell Systems and Powertrain Integration. The event included tours of the new center and demonstrations of fuel cell vehicles from General Motors, Ford, Toyota and the U.S. Army.

The state-of-the-art fuel cell center has been a three-year mission of Dr. Berry, who is head of Kettering's Mechanical Engineering Department and director of the new fuel cell center. He is a 1979 graduate of Kettering University/GMI.

Dr. K. Joel Berry, academic department head for Mechanical Engineering, was chosen as the Emerging Leader of the Year (2005 New Category), in the Automation Alley Fifth Annual Awards Gala at the Ford Conference and Event Center on Friday, Sept. 23. Automation Alley is a collaborative that drives the growth and image of Southeast Michigan's technology economy.

"The awards are a way to honor our talented technology leaders who lead the path to technological growth in Southeast Michigan," said Ken Rogers, executive director of Automation Alley, "Their accomplishments are significant, and they are moving us forward as a region."