No matter what your income bracket, you need to plan. This year, higher-income taxpayers will find opportunities for tax cutting as a result of the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The new law primarily affects investors who may pay lower federal taxes on investment gains and dividends, and business owners who can benefit if they reinvest in their … [Read more...] about It’s That Time Again: Year-End Tax Planning
Archives for November 2004
November 2004: Building Nevada Briefs
Survey Says: Las Vegas Has Happiest Homebuyers Las Vegas new-home builders achieved the highest overall customer satisfaction scores among the 25 markets surveyed in the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study released in September. The study found overall customer satisfaction in Southern Nevada up seven index points over 2003, with … [Read more...] about November 2004: Building Nevada Briefs
Trends in Office Real Estate: Will the Heat Wave Continue?
If you're looking to move into new office space any time soon, there are hot spots in metro areas across the state. Location, Location, Location The current hot sub-market in the Las Vegas Valley for commercial office real estate is along the I-215 corridor from Green Valley in the east to Summerlin in the west. This area has seen one-third of the absorption of available … [Read more...] about Trends in Office Real Estate: Will the Heat Wave Continue?
Montecito Companies: Developing Northwest Las Vegas Corridor
Las Vegas-based Montecito Companies is a commercial development group headed by Bob Schulman and Frank Nielsen, who together have developed more than $750 million in real estate projects over the past 30 years in Nevada and California. The team has developed several landmark properties in Southern Nevada, including the Alexis Park Hotel and Citibank Park. Its latest projects … [Read more...] about Montecito Companies: Developing Northwest Las Vegas Corridor
November 2004: Business Indicators
Nevada indicators generally reveal expansion. Only gaming revenue and visitor volume are below year-ago levels for July. Otherwise, the other indicators show positive performance. Most notably, the total number of jobs is up, growing at a 4.4 percent rate in the Silver State compared with 1.3 percent for the U.S. Moreover, Nevada has seen solid growth rates over the past year … [Read more...] about November 2004: Business Indicators
November 2004: Business Up Front
Give It to Me Straight Employees and their managers agree on one thing: A lack of open, honest communication takes a heavy toll on morale. Fifty-two percent of executives and 30 percent of workers gave this response when surveyed recently about factors that negatively affect the workplace mood. Failing to recognize employee achievements was the second most common answer among … [Read more...] about November 2004: Business Up Front
Thanksgiving Day: It’s Not About Turkey or Football
Most of what we know about the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving is more legend than fact. For example, official records don’t mention serving turkey, although the Pilgrims did eat various kinds of fish and shellfish. If we wanted an authentic Thanksgiving feast, we’d be eating cod, mussels and cornmeal mush. Personally, I prefer turkey. We do know the Pilgrims landed in … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving Day: It’s Not About Turkey or Football
The Adoption Exchange: Finding Families, Saving Tax Dollars
Few Nevadans realize that November has been designated as National Adoption Month by every American president since Gerald Ford. Fewer yet know about the good deeds of The Adoption Exchange, a growing not-for-profit organization that has helped more than 4,100 children nationwide find permanent homes since it was founded in 1983. But an increasingly active group of local … [Read more...] about The Adoption Exchange: Finding Families, Saving Tax Dollars
Economic Development: The Business of Growth
After last year’s legislative session resulted in an $836 million tax increase, many worried that Nevada’s economic development would slow. But compared to many other states, Nevada still has fewer regulations, fewer taxes, a lower cost of living – and unstoppable growth. In 2003, new business filings in Nevada rose by 18,128 over the previous year, resulting in a grand total … [Read more...] about Economic Development: The Business of Growth
Factors to Consider When: Selecting the Right Health Plan
The cost of healthcare benefits rose 11.2 percent in 2004, according to a survey of 3,000 companies conducted between January and May. The figures from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust survey mark the fourth straight year of double-digit increases in health-benefit costs. Large and small businesses alike face complex choices in … [Read more...] about Factors to Consider When: Selecting the Right Health Plan
November 2004: Face to Face
Name: Doug Hunter Title: Corporate Assistant Vice President Company: Toll Brothers, Inc. Type of Business : Luxury homebuilder Location: Reno Years in Nevada: Previously 15 years, returned in 2003 after four years in Palm Springs, Calif. Years with Company: 4 Biggest Business Challenge: Toll Brothers has built an enviable reputation in its 37 years. But … [Read more...] about November 2004: Face to Face
November 2004: Nevada Briefs
Business Bank of Nevada Breaks Ground in North Las Vegas Developer Lyle Brennan is pictured with Monica Hall, vice president and branch manager of Business Bank, North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon and John Guedry, president and CEO of Business Bank, in a groundbreaking ceremony for Business Bank’s first full-service branch in North Las Vegas. The 5,500-square-foot branch and … [Read more...] about November 2004: Nevada Briefs
Southern Nevada Homebuilders Forecast: Charting a Volatile Market
What’s ahead for the red-hot housing market in Southern Nevada? Now that housing prices seem to have peaked, are we heading for a crash? Or will the scarcity of land drive prices out of range for the average wage earner? On September 9, Tom McCormick, president of Astoria Homes, and Dennis Smith, president of Homebuilders Research, Inc., met with Nevada Business Journal … [Read more...] about Southern Nevada Homebuilders Forecast: Charting a Volatile Market
Nevada Department of Business & Industry: Provides Many Services Under One Roof
Question: What services does the Department of Business & Industry provide for Nevada citizens and businesses? Describing the Department of Business & Industry (B&I) is like trying to herd cats. The 16 agencies that comprise B&I are all over the spectrum in scope, authority, purpose and constituency. Insurance Division licenses and regulates all insurance … [Read more...] about Nevada Department of Business & Industry: Provides Many Services Under One Roof
Maintaining Your E-Image: Nine Tips to Better E-Mail Etiquette
Have you ever received an e-mail from a business associate that made you wonder what side of the bed he got up on? You probably suspected the tone conveyed was unintentional, but it still left you irritated. It seems that as our inboxes fill up, our e-mail etiquette goes down. Increasingly, we lack the time (and the patience) to craft well-thought-out, complete responses. The … [Read more...] about Maintaining Your E-Image: Nine Tips to Better E-Mail Etiquette