ASTORIA, OR-Founded in 1962, the facility is one of the West Coast's most well known maritime museums. The Fletcher Farr Ayotte architecture firm designed the 7,000-sf addition. The Newport Beach, CA-based McCarthy construction company will build it.

CLERMONT, FL-Although promoters of the 10th annual Great Floridian Triathlon claim the event generates about $1 million to local businesses, shopkeepers are criticizing the sports attraction for using public facilities at only a nominal fee. Clermont is 25 miles west of Downtown Orlando and is considered one of the area's top bedroom communities.

CHARLOTTE-Cities in North Carolina's Piedmont, essentially the middle and most heavily populated part of the state, are competing among themselves and with other cities across the nation for convention deals.