During the next decade, the weather research and development industry is expected to approach $10 billion.

Since last July, Weathernews Inc. has operated an aviation service center in Norman, Okla., staffed by more than 20 employees, including aviation meteorologists, and R&D and technical personnel. The work force provides weather forecasting services for American Airlines and US Airways.

The Tokyo-based company, which operates facilities worldwide, has made a major commitment to Oklahoma by agreeing to be the anchor tenant and occupy half of a new 50,000 square foot building at the University of Oklahoma’s research campus.

The facility will be near the $67 million National Weather Center (NWC), one of the largest research centers in the world. The center will undertake severe storm research, prediction forecasting and warning.

Weathernews expects to move its U.S. operations headquarters to Norman from California in August.

“I envisioned Oklahoma as the setting for Weathernews’ next phase of growth in the U.S.,” said Hiroyoshi Ishibashi, CEO of Weathernews Inc. “The partnerships we have forged with private, public and academic organizations in the state will further the research and development of meteorological services.”

David Boren, president of the University of Oklahoma, said he sees this as the first of many public-private partnerships, where companies will be able to take advantage of research to improve the science of predicting the weather.

“Weathernews is an example of how private companies can work with the public and academic sectors to further the application of scientific advancements to commercial industries,” he said.

The NWC will have two sections. One section will house the School of Meteorology and other weather-related units, including the Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms. The other section will house weather research specialists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

With these organizations under one roof, officials said the end result will be increased collaboration and synergy on critical research.

Boren said the center will also be viewed as a major milestone in shifting the Oklahoma economy.

“In addition to helping save thousands of lives through improved severe storm research, it will help move our economy to one based upon intellectual property and higher-paying jobs,” he said.

Retailer opens DC in Durant

Big Lots, the nation’s largest broadline closeout retailer, opened its new $70 million, 1.2 million square foot distribution center (DC) in Durant earlier this month.

The DC, which is the largest one-time investment in the history of the city of Durant, has created 250 jobs and is the fifth Big Lots DC, which collectively serve more than 1,400 stores across the country.

At full capacity, the facility could provide as many as 500 jobs to the region.

The 125-acre site was chosen after a rigorous search that included evaluating more than 12 locations throughout several states. Working closely with community leaders in Durant, Big Lots completed the project in 18 months.

“Durant provided the best opportunity for maximum economic efficiencies, as well as providing a large base of committed, hard working and dedicated people,” said Michael Potter, chairman and CEO of Big Lots. “This facility is a solid addition to our supply chain initiative and has the capacity to accommodate future growth.”

The Durant facility is expected to become the most efficient of Big Lots’ five DCs, based largely on the installation of a state-of-the-art sortation conveyor system that operates at a rate of 630-feet-per-minute, according to the company.

The facility will initially serve 125 Big Lots stores in the southwestern United States, including in Texas, Oklahoma and parts of New Mexico and Colorado.

As the retailer expands, the Durant DC will be able to accommodate as many as 350 to 400 stores.

Manufacturer Expands in Ada

Globe Manufacturing Co., a manufacturer of firefighter suits and emergency responder gear, opened a 32,000 square foot manufacturing facility in March in Ada.

“Our new Ada facility will help us meet the growing demand for Globe products throughout the country, as well as internationally,” said Don Welch, president of the Pittsfield, N.H.,-based company. “Globe prides itself on both quality products and customer service. Our new manufacturing facility will ensure that customer orders are delivered on time, and we have the expanded capacity to offer custom ordering, as well as product servicing and repairs, on a timely and efficient basis.”

A team of quality training experts has worked with Globe employees in Oklahoma through the early startup phase of the new facility.

A partnership between state and local leaders was instrumental in Ada winning the project in a multi-state search, according to the company.

Globe moved into a facility that once was operated by a jeans manufacturing company. The city of Ada’s economy has been severely impacted by foreign competition in the garment industry.

But the city is making strides in growing its economic base. Residents recently passed a renewal of a sales tax dedicated to economic development.

Plus, the city has several distinct incentives that provide added value to employers.

Ada is situated on former Native American lands. Under federal income tax law, qualifying employers can take advantage of accelerated depreciation and tax credits when employing Native Americans or their spouses.

Meanwhile, in Stillwater, the Oklahoma Technology and Research Park — developed by Oklahoma State University, the city of Stillwater and Meridian Technology Center — is home to university research facilities and private sector research-based companies.

Nomadics, a research and development company engaged in the development of advanced materials, sensors and instrumentation, and nanotechnologies, this month opened a 36,000 square foot laboratory adjacent to its headquarters in the park.

The company is developing sensitive sensors based on molecular wire technology licensed from MIT.

The technology sets a new standard for explosive vapor detection and has significant additional applications in homeland security- and defense-related areas, said Colin Cumming, CEO of Nomadics. Nearby, the Meridian Business Development Center, a certified business incubator, has helped more than 20 high-tech companies get underway since its inception four years ago.

The center is located on the campus of Meridian Technology Center, which also provides customized training for business and industry.