Genentech Breaks Ground on $750M Oregon Biotech Expansion

Genentech broke ground Monday on a $750 million expansion of its manufacturing campus in Hillsboro, Oregon, according to a company announcement. The San Francisco-based biotechnology firm, a member of the Roche Group, plans to begin commercial operations at the new facility in 2031.

The 211,000-square-foot addition will double the size of the existing site, per the release. Once operational, it will increase capacity for advanced drug delivery devices and strengthen the company's U.S. manufacturing capabilities. Genentech did not disclose the general contractor on the build.

The Hillsboro project forms part of a broader Genentech and Roche investment push in U.S. manufacturing, alongside milestones in Holly Springs, North Carolina, and Boston.

Nvidia taps Jacobs for data center digital twin

Jacobs will deploy its data center digital twin at a large-scale Nvidia research and development facility in the U.S., the company announced Wednesday. Nvidia signed a three-year software-as-a-service agreement with Jacobs to improve operational planning and facility performance.

"The digital twin platform helps operators simulate scenarios, giving them greater visibility into infrastructure management," said Amer Battikhi, executive vice president at Jacobs, in the release.

According to Jacobs, the platform supports dynamic power load balancing, energy forecasting, liquid coolant leak detection, predictive maintenance and operator training.

Turner delivers $29M treatment center in California

Turner Construction and community partners cut the ribbon Tuesday on the $29 million Substance Use Residential & Treatment Services center in National City, California. The facility houses 73 residential treatment beds and 16 recuperative care beds, integrating both services under one roof.

San Diego-based Platt/Whitelaw Architects partnered on the project. Workers transformed a previously vacant county building, upgrading mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and modernizing the kitchen, laundry, dormitory and office areas, according to an update from the County of San Diego. The center runs on all-electric systems.

Turner expects the SURTS center to serve approximately 500 people annually through residential treatment and another 167 through recuperative care.

CMAA appoints Kevin Watkins as CEO

The Construction Management Association of America named Kevin Watkins its next president and CEO on Wednesday, effective Nov. 16. Watkins joins from the American Institute of Architects, where he serves as chief operating officer and has helped the association reach record membership growth.

At CMAA, Watkins will lead the association's work to complete and implement its new strategic plan, strengthen chapters, expand recognition of its credentials and advocate for the organization at government and industry levels.

Black & White Engineering lands in the U.S.

British engineering firm Black & White Engineering opened two U.S. offices Monday, in Tampa, Florida, and Arlington, Virginia. The company aims to grow its North America team to approximately 200 people by 2029 and plans another office in Texas. It will hire across technical engineering, electrical, mechanical, BIM, and project and design management roles.

The firm positioned its Virginia office near one of the strongest data center development markets in the U.S.

"For 19 years, we have built our reputation, technical capability, and culture across some of the world's most important markets," said Mick Cairns, the company's chairman and CEO, in the announcement. "North America is the final piece of the jigsaw."

The week's other headline projects included the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel project in New Jersey beginning boring work, a Fluor-JGC joint venture winning a $15 billion LNG Canada phase 2 contract in British Columbia, and completion of a $677 million Texas highway project. With Genentech's Hillsboro expansion targeting 2031 operations, U.S. biotech manufacturing construction shows no sign of slowing.