NCET

NSBA today released its 2010 Mid-Year Economic Report which shows small businesses facing the most difficult business climate they’ve faced in the last 3 years. The report, conducted on-line June 23 through July 14 among 400 small-business owners, shows 41 percent of small businesses are unable to garner adequate financing. Despite a slight increase in optimism just six months ago, small businesses today report decreases in nearly every indicator including business confidence, revenues, job growth, and growth projections.  Read more:

Technorati Tags: National Small Business Association,Ted McCracken,Nevada,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., plans to host a third summit to talk about clean energy with policymakers and industry leaders in Las Vegas.

Reid said Wednesday that the Sept. 7 meeting will include White House Economic Council adviser Christina Romer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donahue and Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens.

Reid said leaders will discuss how to create 177,000 renewable energy jobs nationwide and consider new ideas for energy legislation.

Reid’s latest draft of energy and oil spill legislation is less sweeping than the bill he hoped for. It includes no cap on carbon emissions.

The event is co-hosted by the Center for American Progress Action Fund and will be held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Technorati Tags: Reno Gazette-Journal,U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid,Christina Romer,Thomas Donahue,T. Boone Pickens,Center for American Progress Action Fund,University of Nevada,Las Vegas,Nevada,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

The city that gaming built is open for business. Here’s how to balance the risks.

Las Vegas presents an odd challenge for the Nevada Development Authority, a nonprofit agency that encourages economic development the southern part of the state. The trouble is that Sin City’s fun reputation often outshines its entrepreneurial cred.

“You’ve probably been here and had a heck of a time,” says Somer Hollingsworth, the agency’s president and CEO. “Our challenge is to show that there’s a business side to this community.”

Vegas sweetens the deal for new business with more perks than a penthouse suite. The city competes head-on with business hubs in California, and has successfully spurred relocations with a potent combination of competitive real-estate prices, affordable services, solid amenities, a ready workforce, and scant taxes. The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council’s most recent Small Business Survival Index, which ranked each state by their policy climates for small businesses and entrepreneurs, put Nevada at the top right behind South Dakota. California came in 49th. Read more:

Technorati Tags: Inc.,Nevada Development Authority,Somer Hollingsworth,The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council,Pamela Jenkins,The Cupcakery,Kevin Lustig,RSM McGladrey,Tony Hsieh,Zappos.com,Nevada Small Business Development Center,Mary Drury,Marquis and Aurbach,Larry Vierra,Laura Herlovich,PR Plus,Nevada,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

By Hubble Smith: Sunny days that are common in the desert are perfect for the solar power systems that Amonix will manufacture at its new plant in North Las Vegas by the end of the year, creating nearly 300 jobs in a city with a 15.6 percent unemployment rate. Read full story:

Technorati Tags: Hubble Smith,Las Vegas Review-Journal,Amonix,North Las Vegas,Brian Robertson,NV Energy,Nevada Development Authority,Chris Zunis,Shari Buck,Kleiner,Perkins,Caufield and Byers,Center for Energy Research,University of Nevada Las Vegas,Nevada,business,NCET,Nevada’ Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

If Nevada were a country, it would be the 9th largest producer of geothermal power in the world today, now, according to new facts from the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) compiled in anticipation of their upcoming GEA Geothermal Energy and Utilities, Co-ops and Public Power Workshop in Las Vegas, the growth of the geothermal industry in Nevada could be worth up to US $22.5 billion over the next 30 years.

Nevada could become the leading geothermal energy producer in the coming years if growth and production trends continue on their current trajectories. Nevada’s 86 planned or developing geothermal power plants have the potential add up to 3.68 gigawatts of geothermal power to Nevada’s energy portfolio.

Fourteen geothermal power plants are in latter stages of development in the state. These projects would create an estimated 1,400 construction jobs in Nevada once groundbreaking has occurred. Read full story:

Technorati Tags: Geothermal Energy Association,Karl Gawell,Department of Energy,American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,Nevada,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology