WATT Fuel Cell extends lease at former Lenox plant in Mt. Pleasant Township

A company that makes advanced fuel cells has signed an extended lease agreement with the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. to continue operations at the Mt. Pleasant Glass Centre.

WATT Fuel Cell Corp. has leased space in the park in 2014 and this month agreed to remain at its more than 39,000-square-foot plant in Mt. Pleasant Township through October 2030.

WATT developed and produces a fuel cell system that runs on natural gas and propane, and can be adapted to use alternate fuel sources such as hydrogen.

The company employs 41 workers at the facility.

“WATT has come a long way both technically and commercially since our arrival in Mt. Pleasant, and we don’t plan on stopping now,” company founder Caine Finnerty said. “The team is growing. and we’ve had some great luck sourcing local talent, filling everything from entry-level technician roles to specialized engineering positions within the organization.”

The Mt. Pleasant Glass Centre is owned by the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland and is managed by the county’s industrial development agency. The more than 142,000-square-foot industrial park opened in 2002 following the closing of the Lenox Crystal manufacturing plant at the same location.

The industrial park has five tenants with about 130 employees and is 96% occupied, WCIDC spokesman Brian Estadt said.

County officials announced in 2019 that it had leased all available lots at the Mt. Pleasant location, but three small tenants have moved from the park since then.

The county is completing a $1.85 million upgrade at the industrial park, which includes repairs to the exterior of the main building and lighting improvements. Work is expected to be completed this winter.

Westmoreland County operates 20 industrial parks that are home to 165 businesses and employ more than 9,000 workers.