NORMAN Norman Economic Development Coalition recognized

The Norman Economic Development Coalition on Monday received the Excellence in Economic Development Project of the Year Award for a population of 40,000 or more from the Oklahoma Economic Development Council for help provided to Johnson Controls Inc.When Johnson Controls officials were planning the company's expansion of 400,000 square feet of manufacturing and lab space in Norman, the development coalition assembled a team of experts from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Oklahoma Development Finance Authority and Moore Norman Technology Center to assist.

The group helped Johnson Controls secure $1.75 million in funding from the Oklahoma Economic Development Pooled Finance Program to help in the construction of a new testing lab. The second phase included the creation of 300 new jobs and the construction of additional manufacturing space. The coalition and its partners assisted Johnson Controls with securing funding from the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program. The company increased its foot print in Norman from approximately 522,000 to 950,000 square feet and plans to reach over 1,500 total employees in the next three years.“This project received top recognition because it represents such a high degree of collaboration among the various agencies and organizations charged with helping businesses expand,” said Maureen Hammond, interim president of the Norman Economic Development Coalition(NEDC).

“Expansion and launch projects like this one take collaboration and economic experience. NEDC is stronger because of our network of experienced partners.”