Industry News

Senator Joe Lieberman, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee, proposed the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Prevention and Preparedness Act in September of 2009. The bill would restructure the Select Agent Program by creating a tiered system to enhance security requirements for more dangerous pathogens and lessen controls on others.

DuPont is planning a $45 million expansion of its polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) manufacturing plant in Louisville, Kye. Adding 78,000-sf to the existing 300,000-sf facility, the expansion is slated for completion in mid-2010. DuPont's brand of polyvinyl fluoride, Tedlar®, is used in the production of solar panels. DuPont is also initiating a $55 million expansion of its manufacturing facility in Fayetteville, N.C.

Wellmont Health System is partnering with HealthSouth Corporation to create a $4.5 million, 20,000-sf rehabilitation hospital in Bristol, Va. An existing building will be renovated to provide a 25-bed inpatient facility with 17 private rooms. Construction will begin in early 2010 with completion slated for summer of 2010.

The University of Manchester will begin construction in May of 2010 on the £30 million School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science. Housing teaching laboratories and research facilities for postgraduates and undergraduates, the project will be built in two phases. The first phase of construction is expected to reach completion in summer of 2011.

Northwest Missouri State University opened its new 46,000-sf science building in Maryville, Mo., in September of 2009. The $24 million Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship houses $3 million in advanced laboratory instrumentation. Comprised of two wings, the mixed-use facility accommodates instructional space as well as industry tenants. Construction began on the project, which will support Northwest's nanoscience degree program, in 2005.