The Obama administration is engaged in a pitched battle with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the stakes couldn’t be higher: the hearts and minds of the American people, and the future of our country. The Chamber supported the bank bailout and the stimulus package, and went along with the nominees proposed by the new administration. However, the Democrats then proposed … [Read more...] about Washington vs. The Chamber: The battle for free enterprise continues
Archives for December 2009
Economic Forecast 2010: Light at the End of the Tunnel?
As we prepare to close the book on 2009, we Nevadans find ourselves in a long, dark tunnel. Our unemployment rate is over 13 percent; only Michigan’s is worse. We have the highest deficits, and have experienced the greatest fall in personal income. Nevada’s foreclosure rates are the highest, and its homeowners the most under water. Moody’s Ratings calls Nevada’s recession the … [Read more...] about Economic Forecast 2010: Light at the End of the Tunnel?
Exit Strategy: When You’re Ready to Retire
Has the constant drumbeat of negative talk about the dismal state of the national and world economy made you fearful about coming to terms with your own state of affairs? Without a doubt, navigating these tricky waters takes a bit of doing now, especially when you may be contemplating retirement. For sure, retirement is a place without clear borders, although 83 percent of … [Read more...] about Exit Strategy: When You’re Ready to Retire
Industry Focus: Commercial Developers
Commercial development in Nevada is among the state’s hardest hit industries. The industry has been feeling the sting of the current economy and will continue to feel it even while other industries see a turn-around in their businesses. Recently, executives representing the commercial development industry met at the law offices of Holland & Hart in Las Vegas to discuss … [Read more...] about Industry Focus: Commercial Developers
Back Pain at Work: Making Small Changes Can Have a Lifetime of Payoff
Whether a person works in an office, hospital or on a construction site, back pain can have a major impact on their career. Knowing the true source of back pain will ensure support through all of life’s heavy lifting. There are four main causes of back pain at work: staying still too long, repetitive movements, heavy lifting and fatigue. 1. Prolonged sitting or standing … [Read more...] about Back Pain at Work: Making Small Changes Can Have a Lifetime of Payoff
FTC’s Identity Theft Policy “Red Flag Rules” Will Catch Businesses Off Guard
Any business that has creditor relationships with customers will be faced with the burden to implement an identity theft prevention program or face a $3,500 fine from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). According to the FTC’s Red Flags Rule, which was originally to go into effect Nov. 1, but has been postponed until June 1, 2010, businesses must have a written identity theft … [Read more...] about FTC’s Identity Theft Policy “Red Flag Rules” Will Catch Businesses Off Guard
Safeguarding Your Work in a Not-So-Safe Environment: Focusing on the fundamentals can help keep your business data where it belongs – with your business
In an unpredictable economy, when a company’s revenue chart can closely resemble that of a roller coaster, most businesses are focused on efficient practices and establishing strong customer relationships. Other tasks, like protecting proprietary business data, are often neglected, but should remain top priorities. Threats to data are usually placed in one of two categories: … [Read more...] about Safeguarding Your Work in a Not-So-Safe Environment: Focusing on the fundamentals can help keep your business data where it belongs – with your business
Cary Richardson: Miles Construction
Vice President Business Operations Carson City, NV Number of Employees: 35 Years in Nevada: 10 Years with Company: 7 What inspired you to get into construction? My earliest memories are of standing on a wooden crate to reach my grandfather’s workbench. It was not a conscious decision to get into construction, it is simply who I am. How would you rate Carson … [Read more...] about Cary Richardson: Miles Construction
December 2009: Around the State
Wells Fargo and Wachovia to Combine Wells Fargo & Company plans to combine with Wachovia. In March of next year, Wachovia’s financial centers in Nevada will become Wells Fargo banking stores, pending regulatory approval. Small Business Owners Concerned Over Potential Tax Increase According to a study conducted by the Small Business Research Board in conjunction with … [Read more...] about December 2009: Around the State
Should Senator Harry Reid be Re-Elected? State Sen. Steven Horsford vs. Nancy Ernaut
State Sen. Steven Horsford is Majority Leader and argues that the answer is yes. When times are tough it helps to know you’ve got someone looking out for you – someone like Sen. Harry Reid. Reid has been a champion for Nevada throughout his career, and has passed important legislation to create and protect jobs, spur clean energy development and cut taxes for our state’s … [Read more...] about Should Senator Harry Reid be Re-Elected? State Sen. Steven Horsford vs. Nancy Ernaut
Nevada Behind the Curve on Charter Schools: Silver State Continues to Miss Real Educational Opportunities
Public education is expensive — about 150 percent more expensive than it was 50 years ago. Public education is also ineffective, especially for low-income and minority students. An ineffective but expensive public education not only means that resources are being wasted, but that young minds are being wasted as well. In Nevada, and across the nation, large achievement gaps … [Read more...] about Nevada Behind the Curve on Charter Schools: Silver State Continues to Miss Real Educational Opportunities
Engineers: Making Green by Going “Green”
They can design skyscrapers to withstand earthquakes, devise highways through mountains and make water flow uphill. Yet for all the modern-day magic engineers can conjure, nothing they dream up could insulate them from the economic storm stubbornly hovering over Nevada and its development community. “What we have done is got lean and mean,” says Michael Holloway of … [Read more...] about Engineers: Making Green by Going “Green”
Office Summary: Third Quarter 2009
Las Vegas The Las Vegas Valley office market reported its fourth consecutive quarter of negative net absorption, suggesting the amount of space being vacated continues to outpace move-ins. Office market inventory expanded by 214,600 square feet during the past quarter, reaching 49.5 million square feet. Additions to the market were concentrated in the south and southwest … [Read more...] about Office Summary: Third Quarter 2009
December 2009: Business Indicators
The national recession continues, though some signs of recovery give heart that things are on the move. For one, the U.S. Index of Leading Indicators, a six-month-ahead forecast, has been on the upswing over the past five months, suggesting that spring 2010 may see the end of the national recession. On the other hand, the Southern Nevada Index of Leading Indicators, … [Read more...] about December 2009: Business Indicators
Do you think your business will be in a better position this time next year?
“Thanks to our latest marketing campaign, we’ve catapulted our message of diversifying Las Vegas to a national level. Due to our business-friendly environment, the Nevada Development Authority has been continuously bringing in new companies from all over the country, gearing us up for a great 2010 and beyond.” Somer Hollingsworth • President and CEO, Nevada Development … [Read more...] about Do you think your business will be in a better position this time next year?