SBA Announces Small Business Winners
The Nevada office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced its annual small-business honorees for 2004. William Houghton, owner of Horizon Business Systems in Las Vegas, was named Small Business Person of the Year for the State of Nevada for 2004. Horizon Business Systems has provided printing solutions since 1992, including printed products, warehousing and forms management, systems analysis and document fraud protection. Also honored were: Elizabeth Nozero, Power Staffing Services, Inc.; Leslie and Joan Dunn, Ranch Property Development, Inc.; Alejandro Alvarez, Don Alejandro’s Texan Grill; Kimberly Flowers, Style Entertainment, Inc.; Karen Gordon, Activity Planners, Inc.; Laura Stade, All About You Bridal Galleria, Ltd.; Nellie Nelson, Cookies for Life; and Salena Martin, For Keeps Scrapbooking. Irene Bustamante, director of diversity relations for MGM Mirage, was names Small Business Advocate of the Year for Southern Nevada.
Nevada Scores Nation’s Highest Overseas Tourism Gain
Nevada was among only three states to increase overseas tourism in 2003 in a 34-state survey conducted by the Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI). Nevada and Indiana showed a 7 percent increase and Texas gained overseas visitors by 1 percent. Overseas tourism declined last year in the other states, except Hawaii, which remained stable. The OTTI survey reported that Nevada’s share of the total overseas market rose from 6.7 percent to 7.6 percent. The largest numbers of overseas visitors to Nevada come from the United Kingdom. Nevada also showed significant gains in overseas market share from Germany, Western Europe, Australia and South America. Nevada is the No. 5 most popular U.S. destination among overseas visitors.
Psychiatric Hospital Planned for Las Vegas
The Nevada Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services recently announced it will construct a new 150-bed psychiatric hospital in Las Vegas. The $32 million hospital will be built near the current campus of Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services, on the corner of Oakey and Jones Boulevards. Opening is scheduled for early 2006. Gov. Kenny Guinn said constructing the facility near the state’s existing campus will be cost-effective because it allows for the sharing of resources. The new hospital is expected to ease overcrowding in Southern Nevada emergency rooms, which now handle an average of 30 psychiatric patients a day awaiting transfer to Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services, a process which can take as long as 48 hours.
Three Firms Move to Northern Nevada
Northern Nevada’s economic development efforts have resulted in three firms moving to the Silver State in recent months. Ben and Jerry’s, which sells premium ice cream and other frozen treats, expanded into Nevada by opening a Scoop Shop at the Marina Marketplace in Sparks. On the other end of the diet scale, Prime Health Dietary Supplements, manufacturer of Think Thin Low Carb Diet Products, has relocated to a 20,000-square-foot warehouse facility in Reno. It employs 25 people. Pacific Coast Flange, the West Coast’s largest importer and manufacturer of steel flanges used by municipal water districts to deliver water, left California to locate in Moundhouse in Lyon County, citing concerns over rising workers’ compensation costs. Company officials said they are saving more than 300 percent on workers’ comp rates by moving to Nevada.
Cancer Treatment Group Expands
Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada has expanded its practice with the opening of a new center in rapidly growing southwest Las Vegas. The 14,000-square-foot facility is located at 9280 W. Sunset Road, west of Interstate 215 on the first floor of the Southern Hills Medical Office, adjacent to Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center. Medical services include medical oncology, hematology, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, laboratory services and a full-time pharmacist. Additionally, patients have access to clinical trials of the latest cancer research therapies. Patients also are offered a wide range of supportive services to help with the emotional, psychological, nutritional and financial challenges they may face. Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada now has five locations in Southern Nevada.The group is comprised of 12 medical oncologists and five radiation oncologists. Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada is affiliated with US Oncology, the largest network in the nation treating cancer patients.
