It’s no secret that Nevada’s education system is in trouble: our high school graduation rate of 41.8 percent is the lowest in the nation, and less than one-third of our minority students achieve a diploma on time. And the list of discouraging statistics goes on. The education crisis has produced a widespread ripple effect of negative consequences, not only for an entire … [Read more...] about School Vouchers: Could they be the answer for Nevada?
Archives for April 2011
Banking on Nevada: A New Day
Though the recession was officially declared over in June, of 2009, Nevada’s recovery continues to lag behind that of the rest of the nation. There were more national banks than state-chartered banks involved in the residential mortgage and commercial real estates loan problems, but state-chartered banks in Nevada felt the impact through trickle down. “The pressure on banks … [Read more...] about Banking on Nevada: A New Day
Tourism: The Return to the Silver State
Tourism in the Silver State, which was hard hit during the peak of the recession, is improving, experts say. “I wouldn’t say it’s healthy, I wouldn’t say it’s recovered or robust. All of those would be an over-exaggeration,” said Jeremy Aguero, principal analyst with Applied Analysis, a Las Vegas-based consulting and advisory services company. As Nevada’s number one … [Read more...] about Tourism: The Return to the Silver State
Industry Focus: Minority-Owned Businesses
Minority-owned businesses in Nevada face a number of unique challenges. Recently, executives from minority-owned businesses met at the Las Vegas offices of Holland & Hart to discuss these challenges and whether or not being a minority-owned business today presents the same hurdles it may have in the past. Connie Brennan, publisher of Nevada Business Magazine, served as … [Read more...] about Industry Focus: Minority-Owned Businesses
Builders & Developers: Amateur Night is Over
Builders and developers statewide are holding on and doing what they need to survive along with the rest of America. While some see promise just up ahead, others are already turning their sights to 2012. In the meantime, savvy players are tightening their belts, keeping their eyes and ears open for both private and public works projects, looking to the lingering promise of … [Read more...] about Builders & Developers: Amateur Night is Over
America’s Premier City
The city of Henderson has laid out a welcome mat for growing businesses, and new corporations are moving to the city every year as a result. Henderson’s Economic Development/Redevelopment Division is a driving force, providing help to companies as they consider and ultimately implement expansion or relocation plans. USCB, originally founded as the United States Credit Bureau … [Read more...] about America’s Premier City
April 2011: Around the State
Northern Nevada Organizations Plan to Merge The Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce (RSCC), the Northern Nevada Chamber of Commerce (NNCC) and the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) has announced an agreement to pursue combining the three business organizations. The final outcome would create a cohesive, streamlined organization that serves businesses in … [Read more...] about April 2011: Around the State
M. Donald Kowitz: Saint Mary’s Health Plans
President & CEO Reno Number of Employees: 225 Years in Nevada: 18 Years with Company: 14 How did you get into your profession? After graduating from Michigan State, I joined Arthur Andersen as a CPA, performing audits in Detroit and Madrid, Spain. Among my clients was a forerunner in managed care, Independence Health Plan. Eventually, Independence offered me a … [Read more...] about M. Donald Kowitz: Saint Mary’s Health Plans
Cashing in on Nevada’s Green Revolution: Doing Business With Alternative Energy Companies
It seems as though everywhere you turn these days, people are talking about green energy and going green. Given the alarming figures being cited on an increasingly regular basis regarding the rapid depletion of the world’s identifiable fossil based fuel sources, coupled with mounting evidence that alternative methods of energy generation are indeed better for our global … [Read more...] about Cashing in on Nevada’s Green Revolution: Doing Business With Alternative Energy Companies
New Data Shows Signs of Recovery: Tracking Business Filings
To plan and be able to seize opportunities in the future requires an ability to predict what that future will be. The newest tool for considering the future of the state’s economy is the result of a collaborative public-private effort by the Office of the Secretary of State and Applied Analysis. Statistics that show the number of filings of new entities, and total filings of … [Read more...] about New Data Shows Signs of Recovery: Tracking Business Filings
Limiting Loss and Liability Through Effective Social Media Policies
Drafting and implementing a social media policy should be a “to do” priority for any modern business seeking to protect its sensitive information and minimize risk and liability. Today’s reality is anyone in your company can be an instant global publisher. Consider the numbers; Facebook is the world’s third largest “community” by population with over 400 million users. … [Read more...] about Limiting Loss and Liability Through Effective Social Media Policies
Unions Prevail, While Most Nevadans Struggle: Prevailing wage laws cost taxpayers billions
In the 2011 Nevada Legislature, lawmakers in the majority are again carrying water for organized trade unions — from the Keynesian “jobs fund” proposal to the mercantilist “Nevada Jobs First” proposal. Longtime Nevada residents know this is nothing new. It began in the 1930s, when legislators first adopted the state’s prevailing wage requirements on public works … [Read more...] about Unions Prevail, While Most Nevadans Struggle: Prevailing wage laws cost taxpayers billions
Retail Summary: Fourth Quarter 2010
Las Vegas Retail vacancies declined for the third consecutive quarter, as second-generation space in anchored retail centers was absorbed amid a decline in average asking rents. The vacancy rate fell to 10.2 percent during the quarter, a decline of 0.3 percentage points compared to the previous quarter (Q3 2010) and the same period over the prior year (Q4 2009). During the … [Read more...] about Retail Summary: Fourth Quarter 2010
April 2011: Business Indicators
The U.S. economy continues an uneven recovery from its deepest recession since the Great Depression. The preliminary estimate of real GDP growth for fourth quarter 2010 was 3.1 percent at an annualized rate—considerably stronger than the 2.5 percent figure posted for the third quarter of 2010. U.S. nonfarm employment rose by a meager 36,000 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in … [Read more...] about April 2011: Business Indicators
What do you hope legislators will accomplish this session?
“It is my hope that the legislators will responsibly and thoroughly examine all issues that affect groups larger than just their constituents. Several bills concerning common-interest communities are being reviewed by the legislature, and I look forward to legislators enacting bills that are fair, balanced and beneficial to HOAs and homeowners alike.” Robert Rothwell, PhD, … [Read more...] about What do you hope legislators will accomplish this session?