Governor’s Cup rewards students for acting on ideas
This letter from Lt Governor Brian K. Krolicki appeared in today’s Reno Gazette-Journal:
Nevada is continually gaining national recognition for its ongoing economic growth and prosperity. It’s important to note that while business is most certainly flourishing, what many people might not know is that the vast majority of operations in Nevada are categorized as “small businesses.”
According to the Nevada Small Business Administration, 85 percent of Nevada businesses employ 19 or fewer employees; 94 percent have 49 or fewer; and perhaps most interesting, 54 percent of businesses employ only one to four people.
Given these statistics, and the fact that Baby Boomers are retiring in high numbers, it’s absolutely vital that we support and encourage the efforts of our enthusiastic and talented young entrepreneurs.
On April 26, the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition, presented by NCET (Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology), will recognize its top candidates in a ceremony at the Siena 
Hotel Spa Casino. The Governor’s Cup was created as a means to encourage students from Nevada universities and colleges to act on their ideas and talents to produce the businesses of tomorrow. The competition facilitates students’ business and entrepreneurial education in a “real world” manner while simultaneously enhancing our university system’s reputation and contributing to the positive image Nevada has as a business-savvy state.
Through the generosity of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, students participating in the Governor’s Cup have the opportunity to compete for generous cash prizes totaling over $110,000. The event is something to be celebrated by all Nevada business and community leaders. Studies show that as strong as Nevada’s economy is today, our state’s future economic success will depend on the investment made to develop a thriving entrepreneurial business environment.
This year, I’m proud to present the inaugural Lieutenant Governor’s Award to the business plan that best employs clean, renewable or efficient energy technologies and services. It’s critical that future business ventures take environmental issues into consideration, and we’re fortunate that our next generation of business leaders is embracing the challenge. Special thanks to the Nevada Commission on Economic Development, Sierra Pacific Power and NCET for sponsoring this award.
(read entire letter here.)
