We have already seen the Obama administration attempt to take over the healthcare industry with its Obama care program, and we watched it meddle in the alternative energy market by propping up Solyndra and other companies that should have been allowed to fail. Recently, Obama appears to have sold out America again. This time it was jobs-for-politics by denying a permit for … [Read more...] about Obama Tries to Grab Control of Another Vital Private Industry: The Internet
Archives for February 2012
Power Poll 2012
For the past several years, Nevadans have seen a multitude of changes in the state’s economic landscape. Unfortunately, many of those changes have been negative. Despite that, in this year’s tenth annual Power Poll, many executives maintain an optimism that was illustrated in last year’s poll and show hopes for the future of the Silver State. The Power Poll survey was sent … [Read more...] about Power Poll 2012
Social Media: Get in the Game
Eight out of 10 U.S. companies use social media, according to data from eMarketer, a digital marketing researcher. Is yours one of them? “It’s necessary to have some type of social media presence. If you can dedicate some time to it, there’s going to be a return,” said Adam Carter, Web and social media manager at Bauserman Group, a Reno-based communications agency … [Read more...] about Social Media: Get in the Game
Telecom: Now Calling the Future …
What’s ahead for Telecom in 2012? Lots of exciting new technologies and services, for one thing. And continued diversification, for another. And a still-crummy economy that will hamper a good amount of the growth that should be taking place. Reuters reported in early January that telecom firms around the world are expected to slash spending on networks over the next 11 … [Read more...] about Telecom: Now Calling the Future …
Mining in 21st Century Nevada
Flannel shirt, pickax, maybe a battered tin for separating out the gold ore. That’s one historical and most likely imaginary picture of mining in Nevada. Nope, not accurate. Mining in the 21st century is a highly technical field that utilizes computer modeling, satellites and GPS locations. “A lot of mining operations have very large remote control of operations, so … [Read more...] about Mining in 21st Century Nevada
Industry Focus: Elected Officials
Recently, elected officials met at Holland & Hart’s Las Vegas office to discuss the changing world of politics and the types of policies they expect to see in the coming years. Connie Brennan, publisher of Nevada Business Magazine, served as moderator for the event. These monthly meetings are designed to bring leaders together to discuss issues pertinent to their … [Read more...] about Industry Focus: Elected Officials
Michael Hemphill: CSG Direct, Inc.
President / CEO Las Vegas & Reno Number of Employees: 28 Years in Nevada: 18 Years with Company: 18 What do you like most and least about your industry? Most: The industry moves much slower than technology so we are always able to create new systems and technologies to help our clients gain advantage. Least: The industry moves much slower than technology so the … [Read more...] about Michael Hemphill: CSG Direct, Inc.
Texas Margin Tax: Always a Bad Idea: Margin Tax is More Destructive than Alternatives
Leaders in the Democratic majority during the 2011 state legislative session proposed a dramatic change to Nevada’s tax system: Phase out the Modified Business Tax — a tax on private-sector payroll — and replace it with a new, larger levy modeled after Texas’ business margin tax. The effort gained so little traction in Carson City that the Democratic leadership, embarrassed, … [Read more...] about Texas Margin Tax: Always a Bad Idea: Margin Tax is More Destructive than Alternatives
February 2012: Around the State
UNR and DRI Reach Out to Business Community The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) for the University of Nevada, Reno and Desert Research Institute has created an Industry/Faculty Partnering Clinic. The program is one of three from the TTO designed to engage the community and enhance technology transfer, economic development and the relationship between the institutions and the … [Read more...] about February 2012: Around the State
Do you have foreign asset disclosure requirements?
Before quickly answering no, consider the following requirements and penalties. The dollar penalties for not reporting are very significant and can go as far as being criminal. The following items are not meant to be all inclusive. The first item is the Form TD F 90-22.1 “Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts”. This form is used to report a financial interest in … [Read more...] about Do you have foreign asset disclosure requirements?
Industrial Summary: Fourth Quarter 2011
Las Vegas The Las Vegas Valley industrial market continued to demonstrate signs of weakness in both net absorption and pricing. The vacancy rate pushed upward to a new all-time high of 18.5 percent as 476,900 square feet of negative net absorption was reported during the fourth quarter. The vacancy rate is up 0.6 percentage points from the previous quarter, and a larger … [Read more...] about Industrial Summary: Fourth Quarter 2011
February 2012: Business Indicators
According to revised data, U.S. real GDP grew at an annualized rate of 1.8 percent during third quarter 2011, which represents a gain over the second-quarter figure of 1.3 percent. Consumption spending and business fixed investment were particularly strong. U.S. nonfarm employment rose by 200,000 jobs in December, and the unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent. Both consumer … [Read more...] about February 2012: Business Indicators
What life lesson did you learn the hard way?
“I learned that the lack of loyalty I experienced with previous business dealings with other companies has made me take aggressive steps to make loyalty a core value in my company. This has been extremely rewarding and the main reason why we have been in business for over 50 years.” Jewell Creigh • President / CEO, Ute Construction Inc. “Life changes fast. If not managed … [Read more...] about What life lesson did you learn the hard way?