Southfield-based Environmental and Technical Controls Inc. plans to build a 150,000-square-foot $24 million plant on Detroit’s east side to supply hydrogen fuel cell power systems.
ETC signed a memorandum of understanding with Flint-based GEI Global Energy Corp., where ETC will secure the site and build-out of a plant and GEI will provide equipment and materials, said Larry Wiggins, ETC’s president. The agreement permits ETC to manufacture, market and sell GEI’s power systems.
Wiggins said it’s expected a joint venture will be formed to operate the plant.
The group plans to build the plant at the 14-acre brownfield site near the intersection of Shoemaker and St. Jean streets south of I-94 on Detroit’s east side.
Wiggins said the company is waiting for land approval from the Detroit City Council, but expects to have a decision in the next two weeks.
ETC hopes to begin site preparation in February with a target to begin operations by February 2018.
The project would create 100 construction jobs, the company said in news release.
ETC expects the Michigan Strategic Fund to approve $1.8 million in loans and grants toward the project.
The plant would manufacture fuel cells and components as well as research and development, warehousing and distribution. GEI’s technology was spun out of Kettering University.
