In Evan's case, that's a burning desire to build and play with robots, like his Lego Mindstorms, or his video games.

In Granholm's case, it's the desire to rebuild Michigan's economy and literally drive it into the future with fuel cell technology leadership.

"We know we have to reshape this economy. This will help us help Flint, and help Michigan," Granholm said after touring Kettering's facility Wednesday. "These (technologies) are going to create thousands of jobs in the future. This is why this is so important.

"People in Flint know a thing or two about building engines," Granholm said, referring to Flint's two current engine plants and past engine plants that have served General Motors and employed thousands of highly paid union workers.

"If we are willing to take action now, we can ensure the technology that powers tomorrow's car is developed and built in Michigan."

Evan wants to be part of that. So far, the Flint boy's resume can be summed up as "build stuff with Legos, play video games and read." He's also attending a robotics camp this summer.

But his mother, Beth Fisher, who attended an open house with her son, said she hopes Kettering has a spot for Evan in the future - as an engineer.

"(He's always) tearing (stuff) apart and putting it back together," Fisher said. "The earlier we get them into their areas of interest, (the better)."

Granholm got a private tour of Kettering's Center for Fuel Cell Systems and Powertrain Integration on Wednesday morning, while the public came through between 2 and 5 p.m. Official dedication services came in between.

K. Joel Berry, Kettering's point man on the center, guided Granholm through the refurbished building near Chevrolet and Third avenues, which was donated to the university by Delphi Corp.

Granholm said Kettering's efforts are "exactly what we are talking about" as part of her effort to secure some $2 billion for new technologies in the state.

Flint, as one of the birthplaces of the automobile, is symbolically and realistically a perfect spot for fuel cell research, she said.

The governor even hopped into a special hybrid electric/fuel cell vehicle - think Special Forces assault vehicle crossed with a golf cart - for a quick spin around the building during her tour. Other vehicles on display included a hybrid airport tractor being tested by the U.S. military, as well a concept and test-bed hybrid vehicles from Toyota, GM and others.

The new center is designed to train future engineers, integrate research and development, provide "incubator" office space for launching new businesses and create a research and development park on 18 acres of vacant industrial land adjoining the campus that was donated by GM.

Berry said Kettering's ultimate goal is a seamless stretch from high school students coming in to learn about fuel cells to full-on commercialization and sale of technologies developed at Kettering.

"Our hope is to provide technological leadership in fuel cell R&D here at Kettering," Berry said.

That would help Kettering attract students, Flint attract jobs and Michigan establish itself as a touchpoint for fuel cell work around the world, he said.

The so-called Chevy-in-the-hole area, where the facility is located, was once a hub of Chevrolet's global operations and later home to Delphi Flint West. The factories that once dotted the Flint River Valley there have been razed.

About 60 acres of Delphi-owned land - roughly south of the river and east of Chhevrolet Avenue - is now vacant.

Delphi remains in talks with parties for eventual disposition of the land, said Brad Jackson, a company spokesman.