The Norman Transcript

The Norman Economic Development Coalition's efforts to create quality employment and investment in our community took a giant step forward this past week. The NEDC will build and lease a 15,000-square-foot building and some specialty equipment to SouthWest Nanotechnologies, a startup nanotube manufacturer founded by an OU engineering professor.

The project represents a major advancement indeed for SouthWest but it marks also marks a different direction for NEDC. Heretofore, NEDC sold building sites to companies in the 80-acre business park it developed.

SouthWest is poised to be the national leader in the manufacturer of single-walled nanotubes. The plant will allow them to dramatically increase their production. Company CEO David Arthur said the products could "revolutionize" many industries.

Although it currently employs 18, Mr. Arthur said they will be adding production, research and development and lab employees. The building was designed to be easily expanded to meet a growing production line.