Norman — Editor, The Transcript:
This letter is in response to the article published in your paper Wednesday regarding William Fruth’s comments at the NEDC Economic Summit.
While Fruth did present some interesting statistics and analysis of Norman and Cleveland County, the Norman Chamber of Commerce wholeheartedly disagrees with the comments about the University of Oklahoma not being a major supporter for economic growth.
OU has helped support NEDC financially since its inception 12 years ago and continues to do so. The university is a driving force for innovation and creation on a daily basis. Norman simply would not be Norman without OU.
The intent of the NEDC summit was not to imply that the university does not foster economic growth. The speaker was hired to conduct an outside perspective and provide analysis of Cleveland County’s economy. Some of the information was uplifting and hopeful; some of it reinforced the need for an even stronger economic development package for Norman. But this message was Fruth’s message alone and not that of NEDC or of the Norman Chamber of Commerce.
The strength of NEDC comes from the fact that four separate organizations, the Norman Chamber of Commerce, Moore Norman Technology Center, the City of Norman and OU, work together as a coalition of advocates for Norman’s future.
The Norman Chamber of Commerce and the Sooner Centurions want to reinforce their appreciation and gratitude for all that OU brings to our great city.
CINDY NASHERT, president
Norman Chamber of Commerce
