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

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

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

Presenter: Larry Vierra

Are you ready to go into business for yourself? Come learn the basics of what it will take to get your business concept off the ground. The NSBDC Las Vegas advisors cover a range of vital business start-up topics such as doing a feasibility assessment, writing a business plan, getting licensed, forms of business ownership, and securing financing. This free and informative class is open to the public and offered monthly at the UNLV Paradise Campus.

July 29, 2010 – July 29, 2010 – 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

UNLV Paradise Campus, 851 E. Tropicana Ave., Building 500, Room 512 – Las Vegas

No charge. Parking fees required.

Registration: Online or Call (702) 895-4270

Technorati Tags: Nevada Small Business Development Center,Larry Vierra,UNLV Paradise Campus,Nevada,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

Technorati Tags: Las Vegas Review-Journal,HARRY MARQUIS,John Mendoza,RANDY HENDERSON,Alternative Motors,TONY DELGADO,Delgado Dance Studio,RONDA MATTHEWS-WOLFE,Jack Matthews & Co.,JASON GODFREY,Sagos Baja Tavern Lounge,John G. Edwards,Nevada,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

During my business counseling sessions with SCORE, clients often ask about the most effective, profitable and secure ways to sell e-books online.
The Internet is flooded with e-books. Most e-books are purchased online from websites that offer wealth-building opportunities. But they also provide unprotected resell rights. Many online shoppers often find it hard to tell which e-books are worth buying because of the marketing hype and unpleasant e-book purchasing experiences.
Due to the flood of e-books online, many professionally written e-books often suffer low sales and do not get the exposure they rightly deserve. Sometimes the same e-books are seen sold online by an unknown source who was never granted resell rights. Read more:

Technorati Tags: Raj Tumbler,Las Vegas Business Press,Nevada,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

KCLV Channel 2, the city of Las Vegas’ government access television station, will air a special edition of Las Vegas Town Hall from 5 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20. The live show, which is hosted by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman and City Manager Betsy Fretwell, will focus on employment issues residents are facing and provide some insight into landing a job. Guests include Raj Tumber, a counselor from the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), which provides advice to small businesses; Andy Katz, president of Manpower; and economist Jeremy Aguero from Applied Analysis. The guests will discuss information including fields that are likely to be the first to start rehiring, steps to take to start a business, and the tools citizens need to help them land a job.  They will also take calls from the public. Residents interested in speaking with the panelists can call into the program at 229-5320.

Business owners and managers in the process of looking for workers are also encouraged to call into the live show to talk about their job openings.

It was decided to air a special edition of Las Vegas Town Hall after the last regularly scheduled program had several callers looking for work. Goodman and Fretwell want to have the city offer guidance to help residents return to the job market.

Las Vegas Town Hall will air live at 5 p.m. and be rebroadcast several times, including at noon on Thursday, July 22; at 8 p.m. on Friday, July 23; at 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 24; and at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27. There will be additional future airings, and for a full schedule visit the city’s website at www.kclv.tv .

Date: July 21, 2010

Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Location: Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, 3900 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89101\

Many TMA Nevada members have discussed wanting to make a difference in the challenging economic times facing Las Vegas. When you take the resorts and gaming out of the mix, Las Vegas is a small business community that is hurting. Many of us have discussed how can we help small business, how can we create a dynamic and responsive educational system and how can we help guide the legislature to create a budget that provides for growth and fiscal stability. We also have agreed that, in order to plan for a positive future, we need to create a community where diverse businesses would want to locate, and where their employees will want to settle and grow families.

So, how can we help? Well, perhaps timing is everything…

The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce recently hired an executive from New York, Matt Crosson, as its new president and CEO. For the previous 16 years, Matt provided vision and leadership to the Long Island Association, Inc. With over 5,000 members, the LIA is the largest business and civic association in New York. Matt is credited with leading the turnaround of the Long Island economy in the face of challenging economic times, when a major downsizing at Northrop Gruman Corporation resulted in a loss of more than 100,000 jobs in the area.

Please join TMA Nevada as we meet Matt Crosson and learn what he did for Long Island, and what he plans to do in Las Vegas. Perhaps, in his thoughts, those of us who want to make a difference will find an opportunity to do so.
Harrah’s Entertainment is a proud sponsor of this evening.

Cost: Members:, $30; Non-Members:, $40  Early bird discounts are available. Register at least 5 days in advance to get a $5 discount off registration.

Includes: Entrance To Event , Complimentary Appetizers

http://www.tmaofnevada.com/events/07-21-10.bvCLICK HERE for more information.

Technorati Tags: TMA Nevada,Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce,Matt Crosson,Long Island Association Inc.,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology,Nevada,business

Hear the “behind the scenes” story of what went on during the Hepatitis C outbreak in Las Vegas. Tom Lorentzen was the Western Regional Director (Region IX) of Health & Human Services (HHS) during the Hepatitis outbreak. He personally flew to Las Vegas to work with local authorities to manage the outbreak.

Mr. Lorentzen served as Regional Director (Region IX) at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) from December of 2006 to January of 2009. Mr. Lorentzen is currently an advisor to the Government of Guam in developing a long term strategic plan for health and human services in the area.

Register Now!

Join the Nevada Biotechnology & Bioscience Consortium at McCormick & Schmicks on Friday, July 23rd to her Tom Lorentzen. Check-in 11:30 AM, Lunch & Presentation at 12 PM. Price is $30; payable at the door.

Technorati Tags: Tom Lorentzen,U.S. Department of Health & Human Services,Nevada Biotechnology & Bioscience Consortium,business,Nevada,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

Nevada’s state and local tax burden ranks 50th out of 51, according to one study that includes Washington, D.C. A family of three living in Las Vegas with a $75,000 annual income had the 47th lowest tax burden compared with a similar family in each state’s largest city, another study found. More, we reportedly have near-bottom levels of taxpayer funding for welfare, education and parks. Read full story:

Technorati Tags: Las Vegas Sun,David McGrath Schwartz,Sharron Angle,Harry Reid,Guy Rocha,Taxpayers Network,Bill Raggio,National Education Association,Geoffrey Lawrence,Nevada Policy Research Institute,Carole Vilardo,David Steffen,Brian Sandoval,Rory Reid,Nevada,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology