Midland–Odessa metropolitan area

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Map highlighting the Midland–Odessa Combined Statistical Area

The Midland–Odessa Metropolitan Area encompasses the counties of Midland and Ector in the U.S. state of Texas. The area is officially defined by the U.S. Census as the Midland–Odessa Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2005 U.S. Census estimate, the metropolitan area has a population of 246,710.

In the past, Midland and Odessa experienced a rivalry of bitter competition and political intrigue. Since the early 1990s, the nature of the rivalry has changed into one of friendly competition and economic cooperation. The Midland–Odessa area today is marketed as “Two Cities, no Limits”.

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[edit] Geography and climate

The Midland–Odessa metropolitan area, informally known as the Petroplex, is located in West Texas in a petroleum rich area called the Permian Basin.

Midland–Odessa enjoys a climate typical of the resort cities of the Southwest United States. The terrain type is described as semi-arid mesquite-mixed grassland steppe. Winters are typically mild with a few seasonable cold spells. In the spring the wind is quite strong and the summer can bring extended heat waves with many consecutive days with highs of 100 degrees or more. The average rainfall of Midland-Odessa is 14.96 inches. Midland-Odessa is located in zone 8 according to the USDA 2003 Plant Hardiness Map. On average the area experiences 316 days of sunshine a year.

[edit] Economy

An industrial area of Midland–Odessa as seen from Interstate 20
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An industrial area of Midland–Odessa as seen from Interstate 20

The economy of the area is heavily dependent on the petroleum industry and has experienced a series of booms and busts as the price of crude oil has fluctuated. The Permian Basin is the source of the New York Mercantile Exchange’s benchmark West Texas Intermediate Crude. Traditionally, the core cities of Midland and Odessa have played very distinct roles in the petroleum industry. Midland is home to most the of corporate offices and has a predominantly white-collar population. Odessa by contrast is home to mostly blue-collar workers and industrial facilities. In 2003 Family Dollar constructed its seventh distribution center, in its industrial complex, since then Telvista, an incoming call center, and Coca Cola Enterprises have relocated to this complex located on Interstate 20 In even-numbered years, Odessa hosts the Permian Basin International Oil Show—the world's largest inland petroleum exposition—at the Ector County Coliseum. In recent years, both cities have made efforts to diversify into additional industries to reduce their dependence on the petroleum industry. Midland-Odessa is well positioned to become an energy nexus for the region and the United States as a whole. The metropolitan area is home to two major natural gas powerplants and in July 2006 it was announced that Odessa is one of four possible sites for a Futuregen zero-emissions coal-fired powerplant. The Permian Basin is also home to several windfarms and the city of Andrews is a candidate site for an experimental high temperature nuclear reactor. This focus on new sources of alternative energy in addition to petroleum has led some to refer to the Permian Basin as the Energy Basin. The 2006 high price of crude oil has led to a significant economic boom in the area.

[edit] Transportation

Midland–Odessa is served by Midland International Airport (MAF), located between the core cities in Terminal and has since been annexed into Midland proper. This airport serves as a regional hub for cities and towns through out the Permian Basin and as a gateway to Big Bend National Park. Odessa Schlemeyer Airport also serves as an option for smaller jets.

The spirit of cooperation can be seen in the Midland Odessa Transportation Alliance (MOTRAN) and its centerpiece project “La Entrada al Pacifico” or "Entrance to the Pacific". La Entrada al Pacifico is an official trade corridor that connects the Mexican port city of Topolobampo on the west coast of Mexico with major markets in the Eastern and North Eastern United States and includes an inland port facility to be located in Midland–Odessa.

[edit] Education

Midland-Odessa is home to the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, which has its primary campus in Odessa proper. Other University facilities include The Center for Energy and Economic Diversification (CEED) and the planned Fine Arts Performing Center centrally located in Midland County near Midland International Airport.

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin has a main campus located in downtown Odessa and the Physician Assistant Program located on the campus of Midland College.

Local colleges of Midland–Odessa include Midland College and Odessa College.

[edit] External links

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