Sept. 18, 2008
Midlands Tech brings Columbia one step closer to becoming a "hydrogen hub"

Midlands Technical College brought the capital city one step closer to its goal of becoming a “hydrogen hub” Thurs., Sept. 18 when it announced the arrival of the first tenant for its Enterprise Campus in northeast Columbia.

Trulite, Inc., a Houston-based manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cell batteries used in portable generators, will set up shop in the college’s business incubator and could hire up to 30 employees in a year. The fuel cells, which can be used in a wide range of applications, produce nearly zero emissions, although the technology is still years away from seeing widespread commercial use.

Trulite officials said they chose Columbia over several other locations because Midlands Tech, USC and the city’s business development community “moved quickly with a proposal when the company expressed interest” during a visit to Columbia last year.

The announcement marks a significant development not only for Midlands Tech’s burgeoning Enterprise Campus, but also toward the greater goal of making Columbia a leader in hydrogen fuel cell innovation and technology.

Read a sampling of news stories about this innovative partnership by clicking here.