NCET

The economy has taken its toll on our community, and many organizations have had to cut back on full-time employment.

If employees at your business are facing increased workloads and additional projects, it might be the opportune time to consider implementing an internship program.

Internship programs can be as small as one intern and as large as a cohort of many, but they typically result in a win-win situation.

Students are exposed to the workplace, gain experience in their discipline, create contacts and are paid for their work. The organization gets help from students with some education in the field, meets a business need relatively inexpensively and gets the chance to preview the interns as potential future full-time hires. Read more:

Technorati Tags: Reno Gazette-Journal, Jane Bessette, UNR, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

…

Small-business owners and advocates across the country celebrated the nation’s entrepreneurs during National Small Business Week last week.

“National Small Business Week is a time to recognize our small businesses’ achievements, and to support their innovation and growth,” Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez, D-N.Y., chairwoman of the House Small-Business Committee, said in a statement. “From the local mom-and-pop shop on Main Street to the cutting-edge small firms developing state-of-the-art technology, small businesses in major cities and small towns in every region of the country are doing their part to help lead our nation back toward economic prosperity.”

Nevada’s Small Business Person of the Year, Rob Dorinson of Evergreen Recycling, got a first-class, behind-the-scenes tour of Washington and met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Dorinson was in Washington to represent the state at the National Small-Business Awards.

Small-business owners took the opportunity to lobby Congress for reforms and programs that would aid the nation’s small businesses. Read full story:

Technorati Tags: Entrepreneurs, Stephanie Tavares, In Business Las Vegas, National Small Business Week, Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez, Rob Dorinson, Evergreen Recycling, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act, Small Business Administration, Veterans Business Centers, Internal Revenue Service, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

…

President Barack Obama squinted up at one of the thousands of solar panels at a Nellis Air Force Base installation he toured Wednesday morning, listening as Sen. Harry Reid and base commander Col. Howard Belote told him about the photovoltaic array that supplies a quarter of the base’s electricity.

Reid brought sunglasses, and Belote was wearing a camouflage-print hat to match his uniform, leaving only the president unprotected from the bright sunlight that he touted as a great resource for Nevada’s and America’s energy future.Speaking in Las Vegas on the 100-day anniversary of the $787 billion stimulus package, the president said projects like this one will not only help the economy pick up in the short term, but lay a foundation for long-term stability. Read full story:

Technorati Tags: President Barack Obama, Nellis Air Force Base, Sen. Harry Reid, Col. Howard Belote, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, United States Air Force, Molly Ball, Las Vegas Review-Journal, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

…

It is no secret that obtaining credit is especially challenging for businesses in this market of fewer lending sources and stricter requirements. In addition, finding new ways to maximize the efficiency of cash flow is more important than ever.

If a business owner is considering a new loan, a key factor is taking the time for thorough preparation and documentation. Include detailed background on the business and performance – past, current and financial projections for the next three years.  If the business’ trends are down, include specifics on the steps being taken to improve the situation.

For new equipment purchases, businesses may also find a solution with significant benefits in leasing by talking to their banker and tax advisor about provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA 2009). Through this legislation, companies may cut their 2009 tax bill and at the same time, free up cash in the near term. The ARRA provides an additional 50 percent first year bonus depreciation, and expense limits have been increased $250,000 if total purchases are not above $800,000. Eligible equipment ranges from computers and printing equipment to telecommunications, transportation, office, industrial, construction, and medical and dental practice equipment. Read full story:

Technorati Tags: Bruce Hendricks, Nevada Business Journal, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Western Alliance Bancorp, Bank of Nevada, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

…

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded UNLV more than $2.1 million to lead four new research projects that will advance nuclear technologies in support of the nation’s energy goals.  U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the awards recently as part of the nearly $44 million of new funding under the DOE’s Nuclear Energy University Program. UNLV was identified as one of 31 lead research institutions nationwide to conduct research that, the DOE says, will play a key role in addressing the global climate crisis and move the nation toward greater use of nuclear technology. Read more:

Technorati Tags: The U.S. Department of Energy, UNLV, Steven Chu, DOE’s Nuclear Energy University Program, Ken Czerwinski, Frederic Poineau, Dan Rego, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative, technology, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

…