Learning curve┬áThe Texas Tech University System is about halfway through a $1 billion-plus program of investment in facilities and expanded capacity. Ruari McCallion finds out from Mike Ellicott how the landscape is changing. Lubbock, Texas, could be described as centrally placed. ItÔÇÖs around 350 miles from Albuquerque, New Mexico; 350 miles from El Paso, Texas; 350 miles from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and about the same from Dallas, Texas.

A touch of Europe┬áSparkling Hill Resort & Wellness Hotel seeks to bring a true European wellness center experience to Western Canada. As Keith Regan learns, the spectacular setting is expected to draw visitors from around the world.  The mountains of British Columbia are a long way from the wellness resorts found in rural Austria, but in the vision of the developers of the Sparkling Hill Resort & Wellness Hotel, the two fit together perfectly.

Putting cities back on the map┬áWith a focus on true mixed use and sustainable design, Sand Hill Property Company is helping to bring sunny days back to one California downtown area with its Downtown Sunnyvale project, as Andrew Pelis learns from Reed Moulds. In the current economic climate, every town has a tale of woe to tell.

Gold standard┬áQueenston Mining has quality gold resources and is poised to exploit them, thanks to growing world demand and a consequent improvement in prices, CEO and president Charles Page explains to John OÔÇÖHanlon.  Gold may no longer underpin the economy, but when, as now, currencies flutter around like leaves driven in the wind, gold again begins to look like a very sound commodity to hold.

Much more than paper┬áPerkins COO Bob Crawford Sr. talks ÔÇ£people skillsÔÇØ with Jenn Monroe. With few options in how to set itself apart from its competitors, Perkins (formerly Perkins Paper Company) relies on its people, a strategy that has served the company well for more than nine decades.ÔÇ£Whether itÔÇÖs paper, food, chemicals, equipment and supply or any of our businesses, our competitors have essentially the same products,ÔÇØ says Bob Crawford Sr., chief operating officer. ÔÇ£We always take the high road in performance and value.

Ramping up┬áWhen the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is done with the Parkway West Project, driving through the City of Pittsburgh will feel like ÔÇÿnothing is missingÔÇÖ, reports Brendan A. Smith.┬á┬á  In August of 2008, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation started work to modernize a key artery, Interstate 79, which services Allegheny County, just a few miles west of Downtown Pittsburgh.

Power to the people┬áIn uncertain economic times, one Southern California utility is doing everything it can to keep the lights on and the water flowing for its customers in an environmentally responsible manner. In the present environment, utility organizations have their work cut out to keep the power on.

Finishing touches┬áThe Ottawa HospitalÔÇÖs vice president of planning, Cameron Love, tells Jenn Monroe that its new master plan is right on schedule. Although it has completed much in the past several years, The Ottawa Hospital is looking forward.

The crossroads of growth┬áAs Keith Regan learns, Opus WestÔÇÖs Energy Crossing project will offer top-shelf office space to the space-hungry energy corridor outside of Houston at affordable prices.  Many of the worldÔÇÖs largest oil and gas companies have long maintained headquarters in the Houston area, and the energy services companies that support themÔÇöthose specializing in offshore exploration or deep-water drilling techniques, for instanceÔÇöare eager to set up shop nearby.

Global presence local touch┬áKeith Regan finds out how melding big-company resources with a small-company approach has paved the way for OdebrechtÔÇÖs growth in Florida and beyond.  Odebrecht is one of Latin AmericaÔÇÖs most formidable construction companies, with a significant presence around the world. The companyÔÇÖs US division is based in Coral Gables, Florida, and has become a fixture in helping to build out the infrastructure of southern Florida over the past two decades.