Weathernews Inc., the world's largest full-service weather company, will move its U.S. headquarters from Silicon Valley, Calif., to Norman, said OU President David L. Boren Wednesday.
The company and the university will work side by side at Research Campus, sharing people and facilities and creating many new employment opportunities for students in a public-private partnership, Boren said.
"This event just adds to the evidence that Norman, Oklahoma, and the state of Oklahoma, is the weather research capital of the nation," Boren said.
The Weathernews Aviation Service Center, which has been here for three months, was also officially announced Wednesday at the reception.
Weathernews, formerly Oceanroutes, provides meteorological services to businesses and industries, including those involved in aviation, agriculture and energy.
"They're here because we have a good program, and a large one, and also because of the 12 other weather-related organizations in Norman," said Fred Carr, OU School of Meteorology academic director.
Jeremy Usher, president and CEO of Weathernews Americas Inc., said the company will provide employment opportunities to many OU students who would otherwise leave the Norman community.
"This is an opportunity for students to get engaged in research programs, jobs and internships," Usher said. "We need to continue retaining the talent the university is producing as the weather center grows."
Aaron Kennedy, meteorology senior, said the partnership is a good opportunity for students.
"It shows Norman is the focal point of meteorology," Kennedy said. "It's an exciting time."
Carr said the extent of these opportunities depends on the success of the partnership.
Weathernews will be housed at One Partners Place, a 50,000-square-foot office building expected to open August 2004, when Weathernews plans to move its operations headquarters, Carr said.
Boren said he hopes the Research Campus will also include an entire row of other private-sector partners.
The Weathernews building is being constructed adjacent to and across from the Lloyd Noble Center, near Highway 9.
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