Las Vegas Home Sales Dropping, Prices Hold Steady
According to a report released by the Las Vegas Realtors (LVR), statistics in April show home sales dropping, but prices holding relatively steady. The median price of existing homes in southern Nevada was $310,000, up 3.3 percent from 2019. LVR reported 1,190 canceled sales contracts in April, down from 1,335 in April 2019. Sales were down 31.4 percent for homes and 41.6 percent for condos and townhomes.
Nevada’s Census Response Rate Slightly Less than National Average
In mid-May, the Nevada Census 2020 released data reflecting the self-response rate for the state. According to that data, Nevada’s self-response rate is 57.9 percent, the U.S. rate is 58.7 percent. The top performing Nevada cities are Henderson (68 percent), Fallon (67.7 percent) and Boulder City (66.1 percent).
CCSD Tests Mobile Wi-Fi Bus to Improve Student Access
The Clark County School District (CCSD) has rolled out a system to provide Wi-Fi access for students at various locations throughout Las Vegas using school buses parked at different locations along designated routes. In mid-May, CCSD added an additional route and relocated some of the stops. Students are able to access the Wi-Fi signal up to 400 feet from the bus.
Executive Development Program Reconvenes to Tackle Gaming Challenges
Graduates from the Executive Development Program (EDP) have reconvened for the first time in the program’s 30-year history to share ideas and discuss plans to reopen the gaming industry. The EDP is produced jointly by the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Business and Extended Studies and the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The program brings together top gaming executives from around the world for a nine-day professional development workshop in Lake Tahoe every fall. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has reconvened to hold on-going meetings to address the challenges faced in reopening the gaming industry.
EPA Awards Nevada Funding to Test for Lead
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Nevada a $260,000 grant to assist the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) in identifying sources of lead in drinking water in schools or childcare facilities. To date, 339 elementary schools and 106 middle and high schools have been screened. The NDEP will use the money to extend screening work to test drinking water at approximately 600 childcare facilities and will make testing results publicly available. The organization expects about 10 percent of schools will require follow-up testing and outreach.
WGU Funds Emergency Aid to Support Students
Western Governors University (WGU), an online, non-profit university, has set aside $10 million in emergency aid funds to help current and new students experiencing financial and healthcare hardships as a result of COVID-19. The university is working to raise an additional $10 million in matching donations. The emergency aid will support non-tuition emergency aid, enhanced financial support, funding for interrupted terms and additional financial support. In addition, the aid will support 1,000 need-based scholarships through the Bright Future Scholarship program.
Henderson Releases Economic Impact of Event Center
The City of Henderson recently released the results of an Economic Impact Study, prepared by Applied Analysis, for the Henderson Event Center, a 6,000-seat enclosed venue. Construction of the center would generate a one-time economic output of $142.1 million and create 1,017 full-time jobs. The ongoing operations are expected to generate an annual economic impact between $17.2 and $26 million. In addition, the annual wage and salary impact of venue personnel would be between $6.3 and $9.4 million generating between 159 and 234 jobs annually.
