AccuWeather storms site

The weather service broke ground Wednesday for a new $5 million facility on Science Park Road.

AccuWeather, an international weather service, has grown beyond its current site at 619 W. College Ave. The company ceremonially broke ground Wednesday for a new $5 million facility scheduled for completion in 1998 at 385 Science Park Rd.

A global corporation such as AccuWeather is a welcome addition to State College, said Patrick Conway, chairman of the Centre County Chamber of Business and Industry.

"It's very exciting to see a worldwide company like AccuWeather invest in the Centre County Community," Conway said.

Although Centre County may seem an unlikely place for a large corporation, AccuWeather's president said he thinks the area meets the company's needs.

"This type of corporation is one typically found in Manhattan, but here we supply a relatively rural community," Joel N. Myers said. "In this day and age, with modern communications, we can operate anywhere."

Myers, a member of the Board of Trustees and a former University professor, said the new offices will benefit both State College and the Centre County region.

"The net inflow of money into Centre County will benefit everyone," he said, "helping people who work here and community members."

The new building will benefit University students as well, Myers said. AccuWeather usually takes several meteorology interns during the summer, Myers said, and the company will look to develop internships in computer science and graphic arts.

Though the construction has just begun, plans were set in motion three years ago, said Barry Lee Myers, executive vice president and chairman of the building committee.

"But there was a longer process from dream to concept," he added.

AccuWeather has been a part of Centre County for the past 35 years, according to a company bulletin. This is the company's third move in that time.