Norman - The Weather Capital of the World
With the grand opening of the Weathernews, Inc. US headquarters and the upcoming National Weather Center, Norman is establishing itself as a "mecca of meteorology". It's so great for Oklahoma. One of things that we can do to survive in this global economy is to specialize in something that's globally thin. Norman has that with weather, and with the movie Twister and storm chaser fanatics, it's beyond economy and gone into pop culture. First is the article about the opening of Weathernews, Inc. and second is a USA Today article declaring the "capitals" of each of the states. I felt like proud papa when instead of your typical southern/western claims, we had a science and technology claim listed.
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Weathernews opens center on OU campus
By Ty McMahan
The Oklahoman
NORMAN - Weathernews, the world's largest, publicly traded, full-service weather company, Wednesday hosted the grand opening of its U.S. Operations Center.
NEWS 9 report
The center, in the University of Oklahoma's Research Campus South, is the first of many partnerships between the university and the private sector, OU President David Boren said.
"As far as I can see to the north, there will be a row of private-sector partners," Boren said from a podium in front of the new 50,000- square-foot Weathernews building.
Weathernews' center is focused on delivering weather services, such as forecasting, analysis and risk communications, that help companies and individuals better manage the effect of weather.
The company has been operating an aviation service center in Norman since July 2003. Now that its new facility is complete, the company's U.S. operations -- including mobile phone, aviation, marine, offshore oil operations and energy -- will work together under one roof.
The company will provide services to 12,000 business clients, including American Airlines, ChevronTexaco Shipping, Club Med and Verizon Wireless.
Jeremy Usher, president and chief executive officer of Weathernews Americas Inc., called Norman the "Mecca of meteorology."
"We're here to announce to all private-sector partners that we are the Sooners," Usher said.
Don Wood, director of the Norman Economic Development Coalition, said Boren's vision for the Research Campus has moved from dream to reality.
"It will lead the economic development in central Oklahoma for years to come," Wood said. "It's not a pipe dream, it's a reality, and it's phenomenal."
Wood said Weathernews already has created 150 jobs and soon could add another 150.
"We're going to see continued aggressive growth," he said.
The research campus already is home to the $27 million Stephenson Research and Technology Center and will be the home of the $67 million National Weather Center.
Also at the event were Hiroyoshi Ishibashi, global chairman and chief executive officer of Weathernews Inc.; Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore; and Joe Friday, holder of the Weathernews Chair of Applied Meteorology at OU.
Cole applied a favorite Will Rogers quote to describe the Weathernews operation.
"Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it," he said. "This is where we start doing something about it."
Weathernews Americas Inc. is a subsidiary of Japan-based Weathernews Inc., which operates 36 offices in 13 countries.
"It's not a pipe dream, it's a reality, and it's phenomenal."Don Wood, director of the Norman Economic Development Coalition
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Claims to fame
By Kevin Maney, USA TODAY
Lots of towns have civic pride, but it takes a certain kind of place to take pride in making fruitcake.
That would be Claxton, Ga., which proclaims itself fruitcake capital of the world. The American landscape is peppered with capitals of something - caskets, Spam, earmuffs. In many cases, the claim lies at the core of a city, county or town’s identity. Paden City, W.Va., may be just another town on a blue highway, but it’s also the self-proclaimed marbles capital of the world.
These places often take their capital status seriously, putting it on postcards, rallying behind it, and making it the reason for a festival. After all, if you’re going to be the garlic capital, you've got to have a garlic festival. That’s the best part. USA TODAY combed the map for self-proclaimed capital cities of the mundane and the bizarre. Here is a look at one from every state.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/2004-09-09-capitals.htm
Originally Posted by mranderson
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