Las Vegas Small Businesses

What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas 

What Happened to Gambling in Las Vegas?

As the gaming industry spread almost everywhere in the form of lotteries, Indian casinos, poker parlors and so on, Vegas business people knew they had to diversify into other areas. Here's a breakdown of how that played out.

Steve Wynn: the Man Who Changed the Face of Las Vegas

Charlie Rose interviews Steve Wynn, chairman & CEO of Wynn Resorts. Many people credit Mr. Wynn as the visionary who 'made modern Las Vegas.'

Sheldon Adelson: the Man Who Saw the Future of Macau

Sheldon Adelson, chairman & CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation (Sands Expo & Convention Center; the Venetian; and the new Palazzo). He exported the 'Las Vegas brand' to Macau, China.

How's the Las Vegas Economy Doing (early 2008)

For the most part, the Las Vegas economy has remained pretty strong (through late 2007). But recently, weaknesses in earnings have started to show up. Will diversification help Las Vegas weather the economic downturn?

Las Vegas Small Businesses - Education 

1. UNLV College of Business

Business and MBA programs, as well as Center for Business and Economic Research, Lied Institute for Real Estate Studies.

2. Community College of Southern Nevada

An array of business skills courses. They offer a good variety of relevant online courses, too.

3. Lied Institute for Real Estate Studies

Highly regarded educational program, supporting the Nevada real estate industry.

4. Nevada State College

Focuses primarily on the development of teachers and nurses to meet the needs of southern Nevada.

Las Vegas Small Businesses - Help 

1. Las Vegas Review-Journal

Relocation guide maintained by the major newspaper in town. Excellent resource.

2. Nevada Development Authority

Primary source of information on Southern Nevada's business climate for companies seeking to relocate. Maintains an extensive array of current informational pieces covering a wide range of business topics.

3. Nevada Small Business Development Center

Statewide business assistance outreach program of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

4. Applied Analysis

A Nevada-based advisory services firm that provides information and analysis to the public and private sectors. They publish an annual report called the Las Vegas Perspective -- a compilation of all sorts of economics statistics for southern Nevada.

5. Center for Business and Economic Research

Collects, analyzes, and disseminates information on the economy and businesses of Nevada. Also provides research and analysis services on a contract basis.

6. Vegas Valley Angels

"...a group of accredited investors dedicated to providing equity capital to early and mid-stage entrepreneurial companies...based in Southern Nevada."

November 14, 2007 -- "These Angels Like to Work as a Team" (New York Times)

Las Vegas Small Businesses - Government 

1. State of Nevada

Doing Business in Nevada, Directories, Technology, News and more.

2. State Department of Taxation

Publications page: studies, reports, manuals and their quarterly newsletter.

4. Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles

How to register your vehicle, get a driver's license and more.

3. Clark County

Links to: Public Records, Licenses and Permits, Online Services, Demographics, County Services and more.

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5. Las Vegas

All things local: business licenses, planning, zoning, etc.

6. North Las Vegas

All things local: business licenses, planning, zoning, etc.

7. Henderson

All things local: business licenses, planning, zoning, etc.

=========== MISCELLANEOUS =>

8. The Nevada Index

Eclectic list of links for State and Local Governments as well as municipal codes, court rules, marriage info, planning agendas, records, educational institutions, etc.

Las Vegas Small Businesses - Chambers of Commerce 

1. Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce

One of the largest chambers in the country. A must for networking your business. Also: Chamber's official relocation guide.

2. North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce

Since 1948, committed to seeking out and providing the services and programs necessary to keep your business on the cutting edge of every issue.

3. Henderson Chamber of Commerce

Private, non-profit voluntary organization dedicated to the growth and progress of the community of Henderson since 1945.

4. Urban Chamber of Commerce

Originally founded as Nevada Black Chamber of Commerce (NBBC) to address economic discrimination in a coordinated and systematic manner. Changed name in 1996 to broaden its base of support and appeal. Facilitates mixers and networking events.

5. Women's Chamber of Nevada

"...created to identify, create and disseminate programs and services to educate businesswomen, and others, by providing the tools, resources, connections and skills to support the community's diversity and economic development of women in business."

6. Internet Chamber of Commerce

Encourages business, government and academic communities in Las Vegas to maximize the cross-business opportunities of Internet technology. Hosts networking and educational events.

7. American Indian Chamber of Commerce

NO Website -- Debra Sillik, President: (702)693-6698

American Indian Chamber of Commerce Nevada
1785 E Sahara Ave Ste 360C
Las Vegas NV 89107

"...the group will have more of a holistic approach to providing opportunities to American Indians such as employment opportunities and educational opportunities." -- from an article by Alana Roberts, In Business Las Vegas

8. Nevada Holistic Chamber of Commerce

"...supporting its members from all professions interested in a holistic approach to making the most of their business in running a thriving worthwhile business."

9. Sin City Chamber of Commerce

"...promotes the businesses that make Las Vegas the most exciting city in the world, a place 'Where Business is Pleasure.'"

Las Vegas Small Businesses - Local Media 

2 Sources Shape Most of the News Flow in Las Vegas

1. Las Vegas Review-Journal

Nevada's largest newspaper serving Las Vegas and southern Nevada. Incredible amount of information stored here. Requires registration. -- from SMG.

2. Las Vegas Sun

Lots of information here, too. No registration required. -- from GMG.

============ Business Newspapers =>

3. Las Vegas Business Press

-- from Stephens Media Group (SMG).

4. In Business Las Vegas

-- from Greenspun Media Group (GMG)

============ Weeklies =>

5. Las Vegas Weekly

Fairly mainstream alternative arts & entertainment paper with probably the best coverage of events throughout the valley. -- from GMG.

6. Las Vegas CityLife

A Las Vegas Weekly with Attitude. -- from SMG.

=========== Blogs =>

7. ValleyBlogs.com

Five blogs covering politics, gaming, business, and arts & entertainment. -- from SMG publications: LV Review Journal, LV Business Press, and CityLife.

8. Las Vegas Pundit

Las Vegas Sun Columnist Jon Ralston blogs about politics and government.

=========== TV Shows =>

9. Face to Face with Jon Ralston

A 30-minute news program that features in-depth interviews with community leaders, public officials and residents on the most important issues in Las Vegas and Nevada. The show airs on Las Vegas ONE (COX Cable channel 19), the all-news cable channel.

10. Nevada Week in Review

A weekly summary of important news stories throughout Nevada presented on the local PBS station: KLVX. Host Mitch Fox questions a four guest panelists (ever-changing mix of journalists, broadcasters, politicians and/or business people). Same weekly show airs three times: 7:30pm Friday, 7:30pm Saturday, and 11am Sunday.

=========== Weather =>

11. Weather Underground

Everything you want to know about the local weather. Includes five-day weather forecast, a three-day air-quality forecast, and moon phases.

Las Vegas Small Businesses - the Challenges 

Oil, Water, Schools, Gridlock & More

1. Nevada Policy Research Institute

...a free-market think tank that looks for private solutions for public problems facing Nevada, the West and the nation. Reports available for downloading. Examples:

• Nevada's Public School Problems
• Nevada's Public School Performance

2. Nevada Public School Rankings

Search for rankings by individual public school in state of Nevada. AND...similar service from CityRating.com

=========== Roads =>

3. Nevada Highway Users Coalition

Latest news from NHUC on just how bad the road situation in Nevada has become. And the dire consequences for future development. Includes links to news articles, press releases and downloadable PDF files.

=========== Water =>

4. Las Vegas Water Supply Needs Alternative

August 16, 2007 -- Excerpt: "The warmest July on record in Las Vegas with an average of 107 degrees and half of the normal rainfall for the month didn't help. This is a race against the worsening drought. A race against population growth and a race against running out of water in Las Vegas." (local CBS affiliate Channel 8 TV)

5. Clock is Ticking on Las Vegas' Water Supply

August 17, 2007 -- Drought conditions in Las Vegas continue to get worse. Excerpt: "Even if all of the water projects are finished and everything starts working on time, the Southern Nevada Water Authority still predicts a shortage. ... by 2010, the valley will be short 64-million gallons of water a day. (local CBS affiliate Channel 8 TV)

6. Federal Drought Plan Expected as Lake Mead Levels Drop

October 2, 2007 -- By early next year, Federal officials are expected to have in place a series of specific steps to take if Lake Mead water levels continue to drop. ...Nevada could actually lose about 7-percent of the water it is allowed to draw from Lake Mead under the worst of drought circumstances. (local CBS affiliate Channel 8 TV)

7. Flash Flood Information

August 27, 2007 -- "Clark County is spending more than $1 billion over the next 25 years to control flooding. ...Flash flood season runs from July through September. [and]...has caused millions of dollars in damage in recent years." (Las Vegas Sun)

=========== Energy =>

8. The end of Las Vegas

September 27, 2007 -- Why alternative energy sources won't save us in the post-oil age ... "While it's surely imperative we clean up our act in the name of preserving our planet, a potentially even bigger issue than that of global climate change is staring us down: an oil shortage." (Las Vegas CityLife)

=========== Real Estate =>

9. Realty slowdown having an effect

October 5, 2007 -- "While Gov. Jim Gibbons was hosting a summit in Las Vegas yesterday to discuss Nevada's number one position on foreclosures, local real estate representatives sought to portray a still positive image of the business." (Pahrump Valley Times)

10. Forecast dim for Vegas real estate

October 7, 2007 -- "Record supply, declining sales indicate slump may stay awhile ... The prices of new and existing homes have been steadily dropping in Las Vegas since mid-2006 - and likely will continue to plummet." (Las Vegas Sun)

11. Las Vegas Housing Market Outlook Grim

October 8, 2007 -- "The prices of new and existing homes have been steadily dropping in Las Vegas since mid-2006 and likely will continue to plummet. ...Last month, the world's leading Century 21 realtor filed for bankruptcy in Las Vegas. (local CBS affiliate Channel 8 TV)

12. Mortgage crisis tarnishes Las Vegas boomtown image

December 2, 2007 -- "Las Vegas, a national symbol of growth and opportunity, now suffers the highest foreclosure rate in the country. Nearby Henderson ...now has more than 300 properties in foreclosure or preforeclosure..." (Boston Globe)

13. Nevada Home Market Banks on Casino Spurt

December 27, 2007 -- The new Strip mega-resorts (CityCenter, Echelon Place, Sand's Palazzo) should "add more than 40,000 hotel rooms by 2012 and create around 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, according to Deutsche Bank. ...One think tank already is predicting a housing shortage by late 2009..." (CNN Money)

14. Las Vegas 'Foreclosure Express' bus tour

February 23, 2008 -- "The housing market in Las Vegas is pretty bleak. Many real estate agents are looking to find new ways to attract buyers into the glacially slow real estate market. One such 'hook' ...are foreclosure bus tours." (Los Angeles Times)

=========== Crime =>

15. RTC to Install Surveillance Cameras Along Las Vegas Strip

October 12, 2007 -- "The Las Vegas Strip has one of the tightest security surveillance systems in the world. Soon, there will be more eyes watching us on the Strip. That's not sitting well with some people." (local CBS affiliate Channel 8 TV)

=========== Budget Crisis =>

16. Another Budget Crisis

October 21, 2007 -- "It hasn't even been five months since the Nevada Legislature wrapped up business on the current, two-year budget cycle, and state government is sounding the alarm of a fiscal crisis." (Las Vegas Review-Journal)