NCET

While we all keep our fingers crossed that our economy is bouncing back and more prosperous times are on the near horizon, one thing I am confident of is that this difficult economy has dramatically changed the way we do business. As I look across northern Nevada, I see businesses that are leaner and smarter. I see women and men that are working harder and more efficiently, doing far more with much less. For better or worse, I’m convinced that this is the business model of the future.

Business experts estimate the current recession started toward the end of 2007. Comparatively speaking, that’s when the Titanic started taking on water. By last year, business owners were basically in a survival state — just trying to stay afloat in the life raft and see where it was headed. Well now, people are starting to paddle, swim to shore and get their businesses back on track. I am so energized and inspired by proactive folks like these. They have adjusted to a new way of doing business and continue moving forward, despite the economic challenges that we are all facing. Read more:

Technorati Tags: Northern Nevada Business Weekly,Len Stevens,Sparks Chamber of Commerce,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

You are invited to attend the Thursday, May 20 meeting of the Reno Tahoe Photonics (RTP).  Learn about business opportunities you may be able to incorporate into your Nevada business.

LOCATION: Sonny’s Authentic Pizza and Pasta on South Virginia and Longley

TIME: Meetings start with networking/setup at 5PM, presentation at 5:30PM, pizza snack at 6:15PM and discussion/networking thereafter until about 8PM.

For more information visit: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/bprogs.htm

PRESENTORS:

Herb Shedd and Laura Melara
USDA Rural Development
Business and Cooperative Programs Technician

Herb Shedd is currently the Business and Cooperative Programs Director in Nevada for the USDA Rural Development and is based in Carson City.  Economic development programs he is responsible for include the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement program, Guaranteed Business and Industry Loan program and the Value Added Producer Grant program.  After graduating at the University of Nevada, Reno, Herb has worked with rural communities throughout Nevada over 20 years with Rural Development.

Technorati Tags: Reno Tahoe Photonics,Herb Shedd,Laura Melara,USDA Rural Development,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

When Nevada business owner Scott Dunseath attends community events to support his apparel shop, Reno eNVy, he photographs, on his iPhone, people wearing his brand, then simultaneously sends it, via one text message, to the company Web site, Facebook (2,241 fans) and Twitter (1,010 followers). He recently spread the word about a store sale via social media, and revenue that day was the highest ever. He advertises on Facebook for $5 a day, which yields him 15,000 to 20,000 impressions daily. Customers frequently send him photos, which end up on the store’s photo-sharing account at Flickr. Dunseath, 42, uses social media marketing to expose Reno eNVy with the hope of becoming Nevada’s signature brand. While daunting at first, social media now for him is easy, fun and beneficial to his business, he said. “Without question, it has gotten people into the store.” Read full story:

Technorati Tags: Nevada Business Journal,Doresa Banning,Scott Dunseath,Reno eNVy,Facebook,Twitter,Flickr,social media marketing,Marilyn Crawford,Windsor PTM,Mark Cenicola,Cenicola-Helvin Enterprises,Inc.,David LaPlante,One to One Interactive,Max Aceituno,MaximoMedia Inc.,Betsy McDonald,The Bauserman Group,Google Analytics,Ping.fm,HootSuite,YouTube,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

USDA Rural Development and its renewable energy partners announce an Earth Day Celebration and Renewable Energy Learning Event  April 23 – the public is invited to attend. In honor of the 40^th Anniversary of Earth Day, nine northern Nevada businesses and organizations committed to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resource conservation are joining together to demonstrate opportunities for saving both energy and money.   Hands on activities will be available for students, businesses, and homeowners interested in exploring energy savings.

Also on the agenda is the official unveiling of the Dry Creek Garden Co. windmill, a 2400 watt skystream wind turbine funded by owner contributions, a REAP grant from USDA Rural Development, and NV Energy’s Renewable Generations rebate program.    USDA Rural Development will also announce  FY 2010 grant and loan funding available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), designed to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations.

The learning event will be accompanied by live music from Tim Snider and attendees will receive a free green roof plant from Go Green Roofs.

Friday, April 23, 2010

12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

WHAT: Celebrate Earth Day 2010

A Hands On Renewable Energy Learning Event

WHERE: Dry Creek Garden Company

100 U.S. Highway 395 North – Washoe

WHO: Dry Creek Garden Company; Clean Energy Center; Go Green Roofs; Comstock Seed; NV Energy; ECO Reno; The River School; REA 250; USDA Rural Development.

Technorati Tags: USDA Rural Development,Earth Day,Dry Creek Garden Co.,NV Energy’s Renewable Generations,Tim Snider,Go Green Roofs,Clean Energy Center,Comstock Seed,NV Energy,ECO Reno,The River School,REA 250,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

Join Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization (NIREC) April 29 in Incline Village for a fireside chat with Jim Croce,President and CEO of NIREC for Green: The Color of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

6:30 pm
Tour the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences – Nevada’s first LEED Platinum-certified building

7:00 pm
Learn about Sierra Nevada College’s Sustainable Campus Initiative

7:10 pm
Conversation with Jim Croce

Green pioneer Ben Solomon will lead a conversation with Jim Croce that explores how clean energy can contribute to the growth and diversification of the economy. The clean energy discussion will explore the interrelation of education, sustainable technology development and deployment, and Nevada’s future prosperity. Jim will also provide insight into NIREC’s role in accelerating the commercialization of clean energy technologies.

Sierra Nevada College
Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences
Room 139

Incline Village, NV

(turn down Country Club Drive and enter the campus at the main entrance
located across from Mill Creek Road )

map

Free and open to the public.
Refreshments served.

For more information call Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization  -  (775) 881-7516  -  www.nirec.org.

Technorati Tags: Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization,Jim Croce,NIREC,Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences,Sierra Nevada College’s Sustainable Campus Initiative,Ben Solomon,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology