Kindred Opens New Hospital
Kindred Healthcare, Inc. recently opened a 92-bed long-term acute care hospital at 2250 E. Flamingo Rd. in Las Vegas, across from Desert Springs Hospital. The new hospital will begin accepting patients this month. In addition to six intensive care beds, it has two operating suites and a 3,500-square-foot acute care rehabilitation center with a full-sized apartment that replicates private living quarters. Caregivers use this model apartment, complete with kitchen and bathroom, to help patients master the daily living skills necessary to return home.
Nevada Business Hall of Fame To Induct Three
William “Si” Redd, E. Parry Thomas and Steve Wynn have been chosen as the first inductees into the newly-established Nevada Business Hall of Fame, created by UNLV’s College of Business and Andersen (formerly Arthur Andersen). The Hall of Fame was founded to honor top business leaders who have significantly contributed to the economic prosperity of Nevada and brought positive recognition to the state. Redd founded International Game Technology and also developed the Oasis Hotel-Casino in Mesquite. As chairman of the board of Valley Bank of Nevada, Thomas helped create the major funding source for Las Vegas’ growth during the 1960s and early 1970s and was the first local banker to make loans to casino properties. Wynn, former chairman of the board and CEO of Mirage Resorts, Inc., is widely credited with transforming Las Vegas into a world-renowned resort destination. The awards and induction ceremonies are scheduled to take place on February 21, 2002, at the MGM Grand Hotel.
Providian Closes Henderson Facility
Providian Financial Corporation has announced that its Henderson credit-card processing facility will close this month. Approximately 700 employees will be affected by the move, described by Providian as an effort to manage costs and improve overall efficiency. Providian estimates that it will save approximately $18 million annually as a result of the closure, and plans to take a one-time charge of approximately $12 million in the fourth quarter of 2001 to reflect associated costs. San Francisco-based Providian Financial is the nation’s fifth-largest issuer of credit cards.
Two Nevada Companies in Inc. 500
Two Northern Nevada technology companies have been listed in Inc. Magazine’s “Inc. 500” list for 2001. Transpower Technologies of Reno, which manufactures electronic components for the networking industry, was listed as number 304. Founded in 1991, the company maintains a corporate office in Reno and runs a 1,800-person manufacturing division in China. Number 321, IQ Systems of Sparks, provides systems-integration and IT consulting services. It specializes in custom, high-end computer system design and production, network integration, IT staffing, technical services and Internet design. Rankings are based on the percentage increase in sales from 1996 to 2000. To be eligible for the “Inc. 500” list, companies have to be independent and privately held, have at least $200,000 in sales in the base year (1996), and have 2000 sales that exceeded 1999 sales.
Nanoscience Program Comes to UNR
The University of Nevada, Reno and Nevada Ventures, LP (formerly Millennium Three Venture Group), a venture capital fund based in Northern Nevada, have partnered to create the Nevada Ventures Nanoscience Program (NVNP). Its mission is to provide the research, education and commercialization resources necessary for Nevada to capitalize on the emerging field of nanoscience, which involves investigating phenomena at atomic and molecular levels. Nevada Ventures will fund NVNP with a three-year, $300,000 grant, and will also help the university seek additional funding for the program through other private and public sources. The program’s goals are to: increase the availability of technically-skilled workers in Nevada; increase the perception of Nevada as a technology state; encourage Nevada students to remain here; provide nanotechnology training; and attract nanoscience-related companies.
Military Construction Bill to Aid Nevada
The Military Construction Appropriations Bill, signed into law on November 5, contains $46 million in funding for projects within Nevada. It includes $6.15 million for the Navy to help fund the construction of a new drinking water treatment plant to serve the city of Fallon and the nearby naval air station. The plant, to be constructed and operated jointly with Fallon, will use advanced technology to remove naturally-occurring arsenic from the area’s drinking water. Another $8.5 million has been earmarked for the construction of a supply and warehouse complex at the Air National Guard Base in Reno. Nellis Air Force Base in Southern Nevada will receive $19 million to purchase 220 acres of privately held land adjacent to the northern end of its runway and $12.6 million to construct a Dynamic Battle Control Center to support its Red Flag war games.