Nevada's Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology - Nevada's Business Starts Here » Rural Nevada

Industry Focus: Economic Development

Dave Archer — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 17:04:45 +0000

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

Share and Enjoy:

Alternative Financing Conference – July 12

Lisa — Thu, 26 May 2011 18:24:19 +0000

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.

Share and Enjoy:

Geothermal Assesses Its Potential

Lisa — Tue, 24 May 2011 21:29:39 +0000

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:

Share and Enjoy:

Tonopah solar project gets Energy Department help

Lisa — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:39:45 +0000

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:

Share and Enjoy:

Nevada Announces Funding Allocations to Support $13 Million in Small Business Lending

Lisa — Wed, 11 May 2011 22:43:20 +0000

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:

Share and Enjoy:

Nevada ranks among top 10 states to do business

Lisa — Sun, 08 May 2011 17:46:13 +0000

More than 500 CEOs considered a wide range of criteria, from taxation and regulation to workforce quality and living environment, in our annual ranking of the best states for business. The charts and articles in this special report show how each state fares on the factors most essential for a business-friendly environment—as well as what states are doing to attract and retain companies in the increasingly competitive battle to win site selection.

While the Lone Star State may not be perfect—many leaders would like to see improvements in its education system—it is Periclean Athens compared to California in the eyes of the 550 CEOs surveyed for Chief Executive‘s seventh annual report on the best and worst states in which to do business. It’s the seventh time in seven years running that Texas has led the states, and the seventh year California—to no one’s great surprise—ranked as worst state. Read more:

Share and Enjoy:

Top Ten Highlights of Cleantech in Nevada

Lisa — Thu, 05 May 2011 13:20:03 +0000

Due to its increasing population, the State of Nevada spends approximately $6 billion every year on imported energy. Therefore, numerous lawmakers in the state have turned to an alternative, smarter solution for powering the energy – through the use of renewable energy that is locally produced. Nevada is blessed with over 250 days of pure sunshine annually and is one of the top nations in the state for solar energy production. Nevada is also rich in geothermal and wind resources as well. The state has created its own renewable portfolio standard – their 2005 standard states that a minimum of 20 percent of total power will be created using renewable sources of energy by the year 2015. Read more:

Share and Enjoy:

Cashing in on Nevada’s Green Revolution

Lisa — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 14:54:09 +0000

It seems as though everywhere you turn these days, people are talking about green energy and going green. Given the alarming figures being cited on an increasingly regular basis regarding the rapid depletion of the world’s identifiable fossil based fuel sources, coupled with mounting evidence that alternative methods of energy generation are indeed better for our global environment, the popularity of this trend is certainly understandable. But what does it mean for you as a business owner here in Nevada? Are there identifiable opportunities for Nevada businesses generally to work with this seemingly new breed of local business? Read full story:

Share and Enjoy:

Nevada small businesses could get help securing loans

Lisa — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:22:44 +0000

The value of loan collateral has disappeared like a desert mirage in recent years, but Nevada officials are expecting a $13.8 million federal grant to help small businesses borrow money. Gov. Brian Sandoval and bankers will meet Monday in Carson City with Cliff Kellogg, director of the State Small Business Credit Initiative, about implementing the program in Nevada. The grant would help small businesses supplement their collateral to get a new loan. Read full story:

Share and Enjoy:

Lt Gov Brian Krolicki: Governor’s Cup showcases future innovators and entrepreneurs

Lisa — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:20:32 +0000

At a time when many people are looking at the condition of our national economy and concluding that now is not the time to start a business, Nevada entrepreneurs continue to show their true grit.

According to a Kauffman Foundation report released last month, Nevada leads the nation with the highest rate of business startups in 2010. This resilient entrepreneurial spirit is reflected in the number of Nevada college and university students competing in the seventh annual Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Business Plan Competition.

Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology recently received 73 business plans for the annual Governor’s Cup competition. We were thrilled with this response, which was a significant increase over the 56 received last year. This "real world" program brings together college students from

a wide range of academic fields to develop innovative new business concepts and compete for nearly $100,000 in cash prizes. The program encourages students to develop creative and forward-thinking new business models, while gaining invaluable experience in understanding the fundamental elements of successfully starting and running a business in Nevada.

We are all well aware that Nevada’s long-term economic health and stability will depend heavily on the creation of new and sustainable jobs, the diversification of our state economy and the nurturing and development of our home-grown small businesses.

Read full story:

Share and Enjoy: