For Nevada businesses struggling to survive during the coronavirus pandemic, bankruptcy may end up being the only way out. While overall filings nationally were up 20 percent last year, according to bankruptcy court records, the number of businesses in the state that filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which involves reorganizing and remaining in operation, have remained relatively … [Read more...] about Business Survival VS. Pandemic Destruction
Features
Industry FocusCommercial Brokers
The past year of pandemic related hurdles has presented unique challenges for commercial real estate (CRE) professionals. Each submarket was affected differently by COVID and the market shifted to reflect those changes. Recently, executives representing commercial real estate in Nevada met virtually in a roundtable sponsored by City National Bank to discuss the changes to the … [Read more...] about Industry Focus
Then & NowHenderson
It’s the second largest city in the state, one of the safest cities in the nation and has some of the best schools in southern Nevada. Fifteen minutes from the McCarran International Airport, and 30 minutes from the California border, Henderson is a great place for people and businesses to call home. Ten years ago, the City of Henderson was just coming out of the Great … [Read more...] about Then & Now
Multi-Family in NevadaLet’s Get Vertical
When the pandemic locked Nevada into quarantine in 2020, multi-family commercial real estate market professionals braced for bad news. With the state essentially at a standstill, the most likely scenario was the multi-family commercial real estate market would take a direct economic hit. Instead, the opposite happened. The pandemic accelerated the market nationally, and the … [Read more...] about Multi-Family in Nevada
COVID-19’s Latest VictimLegislative Freedom
In Nevada we have what’s known as a part-time citizen Legislature. Our state’s elected officials only meet for 120 days in odd-numbered years and those that serve often have other jobs in Nevada. Only three other states have a similar schedule and it’s a deliberate choice. A citizen Legislature, by design, keeps our political process both small and local. It’s meant to push the … [Read more...] about COVID-19’s Latest Victim
Nevada UtilitiesConservation & Creativity
Despite COVID-19 shutting down business as usual, Nevada utilities companies grew over the past year. New customers signed on. New pilot programs started up. New agreements between agencies were entered into. New sources for commodities and renewable resources were found. Disconnects for nonpayment were suspended in response to the pandemic. “Utilities in Nevada have been … [Read more...] about Nevada Utilities
Education OutlookBig Issues and Hard Work for K-12
A whiteboard on the wall in the office of Dr. Kristen McNeill reminds visitors — and McNeill — to exercise patience and grace each day. The message is likely to be needed in coming months as schools around Nevada work through a multitude of issues to get on their feet after the COVID-19 pandemic, said McNeill, superintendent of the Washoe County School District (WCSD). “We’re … [Read more...] about Education Outlook
Industry FocusBuilders & Developers
Like many other industries, builders and developers have been dealing with a multitude of COVID-related issues, from supply chain disruptions to market uncertainty. Building and development leaders have been challenged with remaining flexible on projects and adapting where possible. Recently, leaders in these industries met in a virtual roundtable, sponsored by City National … [Read more...] about Industry Focus
Industrial SubmarketDemand Over Pandemic
The industrial real estate market has been crucial to the economy throughout the coronavirus pandemic as its stability has been driven by demand from e-commerce companies as consumer spending habits have shifted away from brick-and-mortar retail to online. That shift may be permanent as Nevada’s economy begins to recover from the pandemic. But some brokers believe retail … [Read more...] about Industrial Submarket
America LostCancel Culture Versus Freedom of Speech
The America of today would be unrecognizable to those who began this country. The ones who fought for freedom and said, “All Men are Created Equal” wouldn’t recognize what we’ve become. So many things have led to this, I couldn’t create a list of them even if I wanted to. So, let’s just focus on one. It’s a phrase I’m sure you’ve heard, “Cancel Culture.” A form of public … [Read more...] about America Lost
Healthy FinancesBanking on Nevada
Despite the ongoing changes and challenges brought by the coronavirus pandemic, the Nevada banking industry is in a much healthier place than it was after the Great Recession in 2008. Total assets of the 68 financial institutions in the state were $108.2 billion, according to recent statistics compiled by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). Banking executives … [Read more...] about Healthy Finances
Litigation in a Changing WorldWhat Business Owners Need to Know
“I don’t think there is such a thing as being safe from being sued,” said Samuel Schwartz, principal, Schwartz Law. “In today’s environment, the bar to bring litigation is so low that to try to completely protect yourself from litigation as a business would likely be a waste of resources.” Best Practices Maybe lawsuit-proof doesn’t exist, but business owners can and … [Read more...] about Litigation in a Changing World
Industry FocusEmployment
Nevada’s employment landscape has been a roller coaster over the past decade. Dipping during the recession, employment saw a resurgence a few years ago only to experience new lows during the pandemic. Today the industry is dealing with retraining a workforce for the future and fraudulent unemployment claims, among other issues. Recently, executives from the employment industry … [Read more...] about Industry Focus
Post Pandemic DownsizeOffice Projects in Nevada
Tom van Betten, vice president of strategic partnerships for Matter Real Estate Group, worries about the problems he sees just over the horizon for the office-development market — problems that are directly linked to the uncertainties that have troubled the sector for the past year. Matter is the developer of the $400 million UnCommons mixed-use project in southwest Las … [Read more...] about Post Pandemic Downsize
Hot MarketTime to Buy in Nevada?
I’m confident that anyone who tried to predict where they’d be at the end of 2020 was wrong. No one could have anticipated the realities of last year. Trying to plan for the future, either professionally or personally, has been challenging for many because we simply don’t know what’s just around the corner. We started the year with an air strike on Iranian army general Qasem … [Read more...] about Hot Market