NCET

Economic Development agencies in Nevada are going through a period of upheaval.  With changes looming to the structure of economic development in our state and continual funding issues, these agencies are working hard just to keep up.  Recently, executives representing economic development in Nevada met at the law offices of Holland & Hart in Las Vegas to discuss the many changes they expect to see in the future.

Connie Brennan, publisher of Nevada Business Magazine, served as moderator for the event.  These monthly meetings are designed to bring leaders together to discuss issues pertinent to their industries.  Following is a condensed version of the roundtable discussion.

How much collaboration is there between economic development agencies?

Michael Majewski: There have been referrals going back and forth. A good example is with North Las Vegas and Henderson. We would refer quite a few people back, but I really feel there needs to be more open communication between all sectors. Right now in development, Nevada has finally reached that stage of the hurdles and we have to overcome.

Chuck Alvey: We have a lot of cooperation. There is great work in progress with the airport, city, county, NAIOP, the University, Desert Research Institute and the Community College of Nevada.

Read entire article here

Western Nevada Development District and UNR Cooperative Extension presents an overview of alternative lending programs and how to create linkages between potential funders and current operators and potential founders of new alternative lending organizations in Nevada with the goal of expanding alternative lending capacity in Nevada.

This event is Free and Open to the Public – July 12 – 9am to 1:30 pm

The multi-site, simulcast video conference will be held at the following locations:

Minden, NV; Ely, NV; Fallon, NV; Hawthorne, NV; Las Vegas, NV

RSVP to mguss@wndd.org or call (775) 883-7333 x 104 for more information

Click here for flyer and Click here for locations nearest you.

The Geothermal Energy Association’s annual report, issued in April, identified 3,633 to 4,050 MW of confirmed new geothermal power plant capacity under development in the United States. The annual report counts 15 states with projects currently under consideration or development: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Between confirmed and unconfirmed projects there are a total of 146 geothermal projects in development, the report said. The Association’s geothermal reporting terms and definitions categorize projects for each state by one of five phases.

There are currently 21 operating geothermal power plants in Nevada with a total operating capacity of 441.8 MW. In 2010 Ormat Technologies brought its Jersey Valley power plant online, adding 15 MW to Nevada’s geothermal capacity. With more developing projects than any other state, it is expected that Nevada’s geothermal generating capacity will increase significantly in the future.

In addition to the 65 geothermal projects in development, 26 geothermal prospects with potential for power production have been identified. Read more:

Development of a commercial solar power plant outside of Tonopah that is expected to create more than 600 construction jobs will be backed by a $737 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced Thursday. The 110-megawatt Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project will create 4,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide to "supply the facility with the pieces and parts it needs," said Kevin Smith, CEO of project developer SolarReserve. The facility will have 50 employees. Read full story:

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval recently met with Department of the Treasury Director for the State Small Business Credit Initiative Cliff Kellogg to discuss the Treasury’s allocation of $13,803,176 to Nevada through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The SSBCI will support new small business lending through innovative local programs that help entrepreneurs expand their businesses and create new jobs.

"The SSBCI funds will provide essential support to help local entrepreneurs obtain the credit they need to put more Nevadans back to work," said Sandoval. "Nevada small businesses will lead our state’s recovery and create jobs." Read full story: