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The Nevada building market is still hot; positive economic and political environments attract both entrepreneurs and big corporations to our state, making this an era of unprecedented growth and prosperity. But where do businesses turn for the financial backing needed to build or to expand their present location? Loan sources vary, but generally fall into either private or … [Read more...] about Show Me the Money: Financing Real Estate Projects

In November 2004, Clark County voters passed Question 9, a measure to increase the sales tax a quarter of a percent to pay for hiring more police officers. The sales tax was raised to 7.75 percent effective October 1st of this year, and it will be raised another quarter percent in 2009. When this ballot question was being debated, it was estimated the money raised by increasing … [Read more...] about Hold the Line on Spending: For Public Employee Salaries

Nevada’s economy enjoyed a banner year in 2005. Most industry sectors reported their strongest year yet, and predictions for the future are very positive. Most of the experts interviewed expect bright futures in their industries as population and job growth continue to expand. Rural counties are experiencing healthy economies. Mining and tourism both look good. Nevada’s economy … [Read more...] about Looking Ahead: Nevada 2006 – Experts Forecast Nevada’s Economic Future

Almost 50 percent of small businesses that face a disaster never reopen their doors. One in five –20 percent – of businesses have suffered a disaster that resulted in suspending operations for a period of time. Eighty percent of companies without concrete, tested business continuity plans are out of business within two years of a major disaster. Whether it is nearby forest … [Read more...] about Be Prepared for the Unexpected: With Disaster Preparedness Plans

Nevada is experiencing geometric business growth, with firms ranging from start-ups to established companies flourishing. Multi-million dollar projects attract most attention, but as is the case throughout the country, the majority of economic growth comes from small business. Properly capitalizing a new venture is one of the most important and difficult aspects of an … [Read more...] about Business Investing: How to Get the Right Investors for Your Business

Strategic philanthropy and corporate giving in Nevada are growing right along with the state. Simply put, in Nevada, giving is good business. For businesses large and small, it’s not simply "in vogue" to give; corporate giving has become a core business objective. "Corporate philanthropy in Nevada has continued to grow," said Barbara Wood, communications and public relations … [Read more...] about Hearts of Gold in the Silver State: Nevada Companies Invest in Philanthropy

If you take a look at organizations today, you’ll see that many of them are led at various levels by nice people, but all too often these individuals don’t have the knowledge, skills or ability to be effective leaders. The answer is not to send people to leadership programs and expect them to come back transformed and capable. Most leadership training programs don’t have any … [Read more...] about Effective Leadership: Why Don’t Our Leaders Lead?

Construction defect litigation has spawned its own cottage industries of consultants and counsel who do little but prosecute (and defend) these cases. Plaintiffs’ consultants often "identify" defects to justify the cost of their destructive testing investigation, while defense consultants frequently require further destructive testing to prove that the defects are not as … [Read more...] about Construction Defect Litigation: Tips on Avoiding the Tar Baby

"How will the Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act impact local municipalities and consumers in Nevada?" When the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was passed, few imagined the explosion in wireless and broadband technologies that has since revolutionized the communications industry. In 1996, very few of us could imagine the idea of making phone calls over cable or the … [Read more...] about Reform of Telecom Laws: Needed to Boost Economic Growth

Clark County’s only public, non-profit hospital, University Medical Center (UMC), faces many challenges. It serves the medical needs of Clark County, parts of California, Utah and Arizona, as well as millions of visitors. Las Vegas had a population of only 4,000 when UMC was established in 1931, but the metropolitan area is now home to almost 2 million people, with more … [Read more...] about University Medical Center: Expanding to Meet Community Needs

Bank of Nevada was founded by several prominent business people, including John S. Gaynor, vice chairman, president and chief executive officer, whose banking and financial career spans more than 35 years. With a vision to create a bank that would not be all things to all people, Gaynor and 44 full-time employees credit the bank’s target marketing and personalized services as … [Read more...] about Bank of Nevada: Celebrating Five Years of Success

Providing top-quality benefits to employees definitely impacts a company’s bottom line – but the question is, does it have a positive or a negative result? Providing health insurance is becoming more and more expensive; training programs, on-site daycare centers and contributions to retirement programs can drain resources in the short run. However, many managers believe that … [Read more...] about The Benefits of Benefits: Nevada’s Best Companies to Work For

Kevin Burke hates to turn customers away. But sometimes, the president and chief executive officer at Burke and Associates does so to avoid his 21-year-old commercial general contracting firm from growing too big, too fast and too out-of-control. "On some occasions, we cannot build a project," he said. "It’s difficult to say no to a client. But now more than ever, we have a … [Read more...] about Burke and Associates: Improving Nevada One Building at a Time

Is the search for office space keeping you awake at night? Where should you look? What type of building will best meet your needs? How much can you expect to spend? Buying or leasing – which is the best option? So many questions; so many choices. Let’s explore a few insights provided by some of Nevada’s top commercial real estate brokers. Location: What a Difference a … [Read more...] about Rising Costs, Steady Demand: Nevada’s Office Market Report

Hurricane to Increase Construction Costs Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) recently discussed the impact of Hurricane Katrina on construction activity, materials and labor. He believes construction material prices will rise at least 10 percent next year, instead of the 6 percent to 8 percent increase he had predicted before … [Read more...] about November 2005: Business Up Front