By Jennifer Palmer
NORMAN — Two projects at the University North Park shopping center are designed to attract businesses that fly a corporate jet — or those that build them.
Plans for an advanced manufacturing center and business park are moving along, said Don Wood, executive director of the Norman Economic Development Coalition. The unique projects will appeal to companies looking to be close to the Max Westheimer Airport, shops and restaurants.
Two 30-acre plots north of Rock Creek Road and east of 24th Avenue NW are being secured for the projects. The coalition will develop the infrastructure then sell the sites to individual companies for construction.
Office park
The office park will feature six office building sites situated around a pond, Wood said. Because the site is along the airport fence line, companies could have a hangar adjacent to their office building then fly in on a corporate jet and walk to their office.
“There’s nothing like that in Oklahoma. We’re hoping that’s a niche market we can meet,” Wood said Wednesday during a presentation for the 35 South Project, a group of Norman-to-Oklahoma City commuters.
It will be marketed to companies looking for a regional headquarters and those in the insurance and financial services industries.
An aerospace company will be the first occupant of the manufacturing center, Wood said, bringing 400 new jobs to Norman. An official announcement is expected by the end of October.
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