Rural Nevada Goes Solar
Hamilton Solar has announced the recent installment of solar systems in the Nevada school districts of Crescent Valley, Battle Mountain and Lovelock. Over 2,000 panels were installed and the school districts are expected to see a combined savings of almost $90,000 in the first year.
Small Business Administration Loans Increasing
TMC Development, a firm that provides SBA 504 real estate loans, has reported a 68 percent overall increase in SBA financing for fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. Additionally, the Las Vegas market saw a 75 percent increase in the loans.
Nevada State College Enrollment Increases by Nearly 20 Percent
Nevada State College’s fall enrollment is nearly 3,000 students; an 18.3 percent increase from last fall. This is the largest increase reported by the Nevada System of Higher Education. Additionally, the college’s retention rate for first-time, full-time freshmen, has increased from 54 to 67 percent over last year.
Population Estimates Show Significant Loss by 2014
The Nevada State Demographer’s office at the University of Nevada, Reno has released data that estimates a net loss of almost 54,000 people by 2014. The demographer has presented two separate scenarios; one that is based on low employment and another based on high employment. According to the more pessimistic model, the state’s population could grow as little as 14,000 from 2015 to 2030. The more optimistic model projects up to a 1.2 million growth during the same period.
Housing Sales Follow Seasonal Trends
According to the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors (GLVAR), October saw fewer homes sold than the previous month, a continuing trend since 2005. Additionally, 28 percent of existing home sales in October were short sales and 42 percent were bank-owned homes. This is down from the 53 percent peak of bank-owned homes in February of this year.