This article describes how forming strategic alliances with universities, emerging technology companies, the state of Ohio, the federal government, and the National Science Foundation, has enabled Stark State College to develop a $5.5 million Fuel Cell Prototyping Center and establish a Fuel Cell Technology program to promote economic development in the region. This strategic partnership was created to address the key issue of retaining high technology jobs in Ohio and creating more high-wage jobs for the future. The primary outcome of the project is to keep Ohio at the leading edge of fuel cell technology, while capitalizing on the vision of Stark State College to be a catalyst for economic growth for the region and the state.