Revolutionary engine may
be manufactured in county
By DAVID J. COEHRS
Expositor Features Editor
NAPOLEON - Doug Pelmear is on the fast track to manufacture his revolutionary invention, an innovative engine that gets over 100 miles to a gallon of ethanol-based fuel.
In what could translate to big news locally, Pelmear has placed Fulton County on his short list of possible locations to put down company stakes.
"Fulton County is pretty serious in the running," he said Tuesday.
The owner of Horse Power Sales.net Inc. in Napoleon, Pelmear said mass production of his engine through his company, HP2g.com, will become a reality by 2010. Phase One of his business could be in operation by this summer.
The manufacturing plant will eventually generate up to 45 jobs. Up to 25 may be available as soon as July.
The county is one of four northwest Ohio sites Pelmear is considering. He would not disclose the others.
He is currently working with area economic officials to determine what local and state incentives are available.
Details surrounding the proposed engine plant are confidential, said Lisa Arend, Fulton County economic development director.
"If we can get some incentives aligned we can hopefully attract his business to Fulton County," she said. "Right now, that's what we're trying to do, so we can bring jobs to the residents."
Wauseon Mayor Jerry Dehnbostel is enthusiastic about the possibility.
"It would be just a great shot in the arm for Wauseon," he said. "I think it's a great opportunity for us to partner with a start-up business."
The V-8, 400 horsepower engine has garnered so much attention nationwide that other locations have begun beating a path to his door.
"(Michigan governor) Jennifer Granholm is willing to give us a facility for this to happen," Pelmear said. "We're trying to keep it here because of our kids."
He has also caught the attention of Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, area state representatives, the vice president of General Motors and Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
"It will be made by Americans in America with American parts. The people on our team are all volunteers because they believe in this project," Pelmear said.
Small area businesses willing to build the engine parts include TJ Automation, Inc. in Archbold and Fulton Industries, Inc. in Wauseon. And a specialty market car manufacturer is interested overseeing the first two years of production.
Sometime next year, Pelmear will run his Mustang from New York to California in the mainstream category of the Progressive Automotive X Prize. The cross-country race will be held to encourage the design of safe, super-efficient vehicles. As part of the race, track testing and emission testing will be conducted in cities along the route.
There are currently 117 teams participating in the X Prize. The purse is $7.5 million for the mainstream winner and $2.5 million for the winner in an alternative category.
In the event Pelmear wins his category he would use the winnings as seed money to finance his engine plant. Plan B includes an application for $40 million in start-up stimulus money.
A drag racer, Pelmear started developing his engine about 10 years ago with trucks and SUVs in mind. Through changes and refinements it now boasts 110 miles per gallon of E85, a fuel with an ethanol-gasoline ratio of 85/15.
"A lot of people say it's perfected already, but I think there's more to be done yet. I'm still tweaking it," Pelmear said.
The engine has turned heads at new car shows in Detroit and Washington. D.C. It won the Green Zone Award at the Special Equipment Manufacturers Association convention in Las Vegas. Pelmear is seeking a patent for his design.
Following a third party test in February, an original equipment manufacturer expressed interest in licensing the engine. Pelmear has also received offers to sell the technology but turned them down.
"A true inventor wants to see everybody use their product, wants to make a change," he said. "Doing something that no one else has done. Isn't that the idea?"
Mark Schnitkey, HP2g.com vice president of business development, said Pelmear's talent lies in his unconventional thinking.
"Doug does not limit himself to what other people say," Schnitkey said. "Doug pushes the envelope. 'It can't be done' is not in his vocabulary."
Even as he contemplates the potential financial windfall his invention could reap, Pelmear said it was not crafted with riches in mind.
"I'm a true American. I believe in what America stands for," he said. "Our true driving force is to change America."
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