Odessa, Texas, Plays Economic 'Catch-Up' through Commercial, Retail Expansion. From: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News | Date: February 17, 2003 | COPYRIGHT 2003 Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

By Julie Breaux, Odessa American, Texas Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Feb. 17--Economic uncertainty amid mounting concerns over an outbreak of conventional or nuclear war may be putting the kibosh on business investment and expansion in other parts of the nation, but not in Odessa.

Commercial construction projects are popping up everywhere, in older parts of town and in newer neighborhoods.

In northeast Odessa, now a locus of commerce, the...