Industry News

The University of Akron broke ground on the $13.2 million National Polymer Innovation Center in September of 2009 in Akron, Ohio. The 42,750-sf facility will house ten technology-rich laboratories and high bay space for the development of advanced materials. The National Polymer Innovation Center will enable faculty, students, and industry partners to engage in biomaterials synthesis, biosensors and biodevices design, and photovoltaic and membrane fabrication. Completion is expected in June of 2010.

The University of California, San Diego broke ground on two laboratory facilities at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla in September of 2009. Supported by over $100 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the 120,000-sf National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Southwest Fisheries Science Center is expected to reach completion in 2011. Additionally, construction will begin in early 2011 on a $26 million research facility for marine ecosystem forecasting.

Baptist Memorial Health Care will begin construction in spring of 2010 on a $200 million hospital in Jonesboro, Ark. The 250-bed replacement facility is slated for completion in spring of 2013. The architect for the 500,000-sf project is Earl Swensson Associates of Nashville.

The University of Limerick will begin construction in fall of 2009 on a €16 million medical School in Limerick, Ireland. The 4,091-sm facility will house classrooms, lecture halls, and laboratories for physician training. Completion is slated for September of 2010. The general contractor for the project is P.E. Elliot & Company.

Wolf Steel USA initiated a $3.2 million expansion of its manufacturing facility in Grant County, Ky., in September of 2009. The project will add 72,000-sf to an existing 39,000-sf building. The facility will house manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution space and is expected to reach completion by March of 2010.