The Norman Transcript

The naming of various parts of the National Weather Center for Oklahoma legislators who played a part in securing state funding for the facility is an appropriate gesture from OU and the NOAA entities that now call the building home.

The naming of labs, the atrium and other parts of the building will be remembered by students, faculty and federal weather employees long after the headlines from Friday's dedication ceremonies fade.

Republicans and Democrats carried the legislation for the Weather Center. It took federal and state money and efforts by the Norman City Council to put the financing package together.

Weather research, education and various spinoff private companies employ about 1,000 people in central Oklahoma, according to local economic development professionals. The synergy and collaboration expected to come out of the building is phenomenal. It's a clean, fast-growing, high-tech sector that will continue to bring good jobs to the area.