Executive Director Don Wood and the Norman Economic Development Coalition’s impact on Norman during the last 10 years is only a beginning.

“Things only get better with age,” Wood said. “There’s a lot more to accomplish at the NEDC in the next 10 years.”

Wood said the NEDC will use the last 10 years of experience to help it do even more in the future.

“Now all the tools are in place,” Wood said. “We are going to get even better results in the next 10 years.”

Wood said there are multiple locations and fronts that will continue to bring jobs to Norman. He said the CNI Corporate Center includes multiple class A jobs for the community. They will take over the former Saxon Publishers complex on State Highway 9.

“We are in the initial stages of that,” Wood said. “We will break ground on their first building in May. This business could employ 1,500 people.”

Wood also pointed to the TIFF North Park as a major feather in Norman’s hat. He said the NEDC is working on an agreement to purchase 60 acres of land at a reduced cost for three existing Norman companies to build their office buildings.

Norman Mayor Harold Haralson also sees North Park with great potential for the NEDC.

“I see an even brighter future for the NEDC in the next 10 years,” Haralson said. “In addition to the development in its current business park, NEDC has opportunities at University North Park that I feel have the potential to be truly outstanding. I look forward to what the future brings.”

There also is a project in the works with OU to bring more aeronautical based small companies to Norman.

Wood said the NEDC also plays a small role in the University Research Campus and 1, 2 and 3 Partners Place.

“All of those areas are primed to go to the next level and create very meaningful economic development in the community,” Wood said.

Besides all the things in the works already, Wood said he still has hope for a software development center. He said the state will provide half the funding, and the NEDC will work to find the other half.

“This would be a great way to get software companies to relocate to Norman,” Wood said. “It would be a huge generator of high-tech jobs.”

Lois Lawler Brown, NEDC Board chairwoman, said bringing the software development center to Norman is a key goal of hers.

“It’s the type of jobs we are seeing that are ideal for Norman,” she said. “They fit well with the mission of the university and are a benefit in providing income dollars to the existing businesses in Norman.”

With more and more companies starting or moving to Norman, Wood said eTec, the business incubator also needs to expand.

“We want to expand the existing facility or build a new one or maybe look into a joint venture with someone,” Wood said. “We need a larger incubator presence here.”

Planning the growth of all these businesses is key for the NEDC and Norman.

Lawler Brown said the key thing to remember about growth is planning for it.

“If you don’t plan for economic growth, growth happens to you,” she said. “There needs to be a planned strategy for it. I have lived here since 1970 and it is important for me to protect this community.”

She said the NEDC allows Norman to pick and choose what kinds of businesses they want to come to Norman.

“We want to control our growth in a smart way that retains the attractive Norman lifestyle,” she said.

The only thing Wood said he finds frustrating about NEDC’s past and future is that people don’t realize what a unique community Norman is and what that means.

“We would probably grow in spite of efforts to stop the growth,” he said. “I don’t think people really appreciate Norman for the economic development and growth that I’ve seen.”

Wood said development comes easy in Norman and that companies want to come here.

“Norman is a wonderful community and has a wonderful lifestyle,” Wood said. “So people are spoiled. They don’t understand how much we should cherish our position. Everyone in the state envies Norman.”