Sands Named to CDP Climate and Water A-Lists
Las Vegas Sands has been recognized by the global environmental non-profit, CDP, for its sustainability strategy. The resort developer was named to the Climate A-List for the sixth consecutive year. The list measures the company’s work toward cutting emissions and mitigating climate risks, among others. In addition, Sands was named to the Water A-List for the third straight year which recognizes water efficiency and conservation.
USDA Seeks Lending Partners to Establish Revolving Loans in Rural Nevada
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking applications for funding to establish revolving loan programs to support rural businesses and community development projects in Nevada. Currently, there is only one intermediary re-lending partner, the Rural Nevada Development Corporation. The USDA hopes to expand with partnerships from other non-profits, alternative lenders, tribes, or public agencies interested in providing micro-loan support for rural Nevada businesses. Applications must be submitted to the USDA Rural Development state office and will be processed quarterly.
Nevada ACO Saved $48 Million
Nevada’s Silver State Accountable Care Organization (ACO) has ranked first in the state, and fifth in the nation, for total Medicare savings in 2019. The ACO saved $48 million and was 10.26 percent below the national benchmark. The Silver State ACO is one of seven of the Universal Health Services (UHS) ACOs. The organization is comprised of a group of physicians who have agreed to reduce costs and increase quality through the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP).
UNR Launches Sports Management Minor
The College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) has launched a new undergraduate minor in sports management. The minor is available to all admitted undergraduate students. Graduate students can take the courses as an elective. The first course, Fundamentals of Sports Management will be in the spring 2021 curriculum. The second, Concert Arena Management will be offered in the summer.
Las Vegas Receives Grant for Wireless Network
The City of Las Vegas has received a $950,000 grant from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology. The funds will be used to provide a wireless network to enhance connectivity for Clark County School District (CCSD) students in need. The network is part of phase one of the city’s Advanced Connectivity for Community and Economic Development (ACCED) program. Approximately 31.3 percent of households in Las Vegas have no fixed internet access.
EPA Awards Nearly $1.4 Million to Improve Nevada’s Water Quality
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) $1,395,000. The funds will be used to implement the 2020-2024 Nonpoint Source (NPS) State Management Plan. The plan was recently approved and is in place to protect Nevada’s surface water from NPS pollution. The pollution is caused by rainfall runoff which picks up pollutants as it flows and contributes to a significant amount of water pollution in the state.
RTC Receives Grant for Transit Infrastructure Monitoring
The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC) has received a $131,661 research grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The grant is part of the FTA’s Real-Time Transit Asset Management Program. RTC will use the funding to collaborate with UNR and demonstrate real-time transit infrastructure monitoring in the city of Reno. The monitoring system will use 3D imaging, cameras, and LiDAR technology to assist the RTC in maintaining the transit system.
PUCN Approves Three New Solar Projects
The Public Utility Commission of Nevada (PUCN) has approved a stipulation agreement between NV Energy, the regulatory operations staff of the PUCN, Bureau of Consumer Protection, and other stakeholders. The plan allows for construction of three largescale solar plus energy storage projects. The three solar projects will be built in southern Nevada and total 478 megawatts of new solar photovoltaic generation and 338 megawatts of energy storage. All three are expected to be serving consumers by the end of 2023.
UNLV in Top 10 Percent for Social Mobility
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has jumped 50 spots and is now in the top 10 percent of CollegeNet, Inc’s 2020 Social Mobility Index. The annual analysis ranks four-year U.S. colleges and universities according to how effectively they enroll students from under-resourced backgrounds and graduate them into well-paying jobs. The university ranks 131 out of over 1,400 schools across the country and was measured based on tuition cost, economic background of the student body, graduation rate, early-career salaries, and the university’s endowment.
Liberty Dental Partners to Open Children’s Dental Prevention Clinic
Liberty Dental Plan of Nevada, the state’s dental Medicaid administrator, has announced a partnership with the UNLV School of Dental Medicine to open a children’s dental prevention clinic. The clinic will provide preventative oral healthcare services to pediatric patients and be housed in the school’s pediatric dentist area.
