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Churchill’s Business Surprise Diversification is Key to Local economy Can’t Means Don’t want to A Lot of town in 10 Minutes

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opp rtunity.

Meet the power company that puts Nevadans first.

To see a brighter future for Nevada, look no further than what was once thought to be a small energy co-op in Pahrump. We’re Valley Electric Association, and we’ve leveraged our unique, community-focused position to create opportunities all across the state.

Through renewable energy projects to meet the energy demands of our region, increased hiring within our own company, and the ripple effects of more robust economic activity, we’re the small organization that’s accomplishing big, big goals.

Together, we’re doing powerful things.

I LEARN MORE AT VEA .COOP I

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hen your business succeeds, • Site locations and expansion support through our so does Nevada! Your success commercial real estate committee experts. breeds more success within • Relocation and employee recruitment support with your company, within your supply chain professional residential real estate support. and for your employees and families. The • An identification and reduction of onerous business success of our region is the result and that regulation by the work of our Design and Construction committee success attracts more companies to further in partnership with the Governor’s Office and the Secretary of the success of our State. This is our winning State’s new Silver Flume. formula.

And there is even more.

This is exactly what I visualize with this slogan. Improve the Every day, NNDA staff works State of Your Business means you having more success and setting hard and long to find ways off a chain reaction that will continue the positive growth within to support the Success of the the Sierra Region.

Sierra Region. We take to heart NNDA believes in the connected ecosystem of our business our slogan to Improve the community and works with our dedicated investor partners, our State of Your Business. committees and our many partners in success to create, develop Please get involved with NNDA. and deliver a variety of programs to help support your success.

Contact us and let us know Included in these are: your needs and see if we can • Ways to evaluate your company’s products for their relevancy match you up with one of to export markets and then support you in the process of finding our programs. and capitalizing on these new and lucrative markets.

And for those companies • Cooperative trade show and product display opportunities to in other States, increase factory orders there is a second • Networking events to connect your supply chain even tighter meaning. Come to and closer to reduce costs Nevada and we will • Great process control improvements through our close really help you partnership with Nevada Industry Excellence improve your State.

• Workforce Development programs through our continual support of Dream It Do It, Career and Technical Education and WNC’s Workforce Development programs.

• Support and collaboration with the Carson Area Manufacturers Forum who identifies common problems and finds cooperative solutions.

• Capital Access through an active Bank and Finance committee who evaluate and try to find private and public funding solutions to your company’s capital needs.

• Development of innovative health care programs to keep you and your employees “Nevada Strong”.

• Expert and specialized professional services accessible though our Robert C. Hooper — nnDA executive Director Business and Professional Resources committee.

tM

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 14

peRSpeCtiVeS FRoM neVADA’S SieRRA ReGion

3 Lee BonneR Editor

RoB HoopeR NNDA Executive Director

30

FRoM tHe tRAiLHeAD . . . . . . . . 4 Rob Hooper

neVADAnS ARe ReSiLient . . . . 6 Dean Heller

noRtHeRn neVADA neeDS . . . 7 MoReLoCAL ContRoL to CHARt eConoMiC FUtURe Mark Amodei

SAVe tiMe, SAVe eFFoRt: . . . . 8 CoMpLete YoUR SiLVeRFLUMe pRoFiLe Ross Miller

MiLK DRiVeS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 De-ReGULAtionS, tAX ReDUCtion AnD LoweR CoStS

RoB FAiR Design & Layout

iMpRoVe tHe StAte . . . . . . . . 18 oF YoUR BUSineSS Lee Bonner

inVeStMent in RURAL . . . . . . 0 neVADA iS LonG teRM Marcy Fox

A Lot oF town . . . . . . . . . . . . . in ten MinUteS Brad Bonkowski

KeiGH CoX Cover Design

tonYA CHAMpA Project Coordinator

pAt BRiDGeS Advertising Director

MARK RAYMonD Publisher

A pARADiGM SHiFt . . . . . . . . . . 4 FoR CAReeR AnD teCHniCAL eDUCAtion

PUBLISHED BY:

Mike Raponi

StoReY poiSeD FoR tHe FUtURe . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Lynn Hettrick

L. Lance Gilman and Kris Thompson

ConneCtinG neVADA . . . . . . . 1 to tHe FUtURe

eMBRACinG A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 GeneRAtionAL woRKFoRCe

Lindsey Niedzielski

Dana Dean

CHURCHiLL CoUntY’S . . . . . . . 14 BUSineSS SURpRiSe

CAn’t MeAnS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Don’t wAnt to

Chester Caulder

Jeff Page

How to Do BUSineSS witH . . 16 tHe StAte GoVeRnMent

DiVeRSiFiCAtion KeY . . . . . . . 3 to LoCAL ReCoVeRY

Lyndee Cichon

Steve Mokrohisky

775.882.2111 nevadaappeal.com

775.782.5121 recordcourier.com

775.883.4413 nnda.org

Contact us today to find out how we can partner with you for higher performance

www.NevadaIE.com Growth Services Energy Services Statewide: 800-637-4634

Quality Systems Lean Systems Northern Nevada: 775-784-1935

Southern Nevada: 702-895-2615 Viewpoint

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NEVADANS ARE RESILIENT

N

nevada Senator

DeAn HeLLeR

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evada’s greatest asset is energy—and not just the vast renewable energy produced in our state, but the energy of our people. Nevadans work hard every day to foster strong communities and exciting opportunities for economic development.

Over the past few years the Silver State has faced incredible challenges, and through it all, Nevadans continue to carry the Battle Born attitude that has been around since our state’s founding in 1864.

One of the things that makes Nevada so unique is our vast amount of public lands – 87% to be exact. This provides us with many opportunities to utilize the resources in our own backyard, ranging from renewable energy development to mining, to recreation, and beyond.

As a Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I work hard in Washington, D.C. to balance conservation and development to ensure our public lands work for Nevada. One of the most exciting projects our federal delegation is working on is the Lyon County jobs bill. This legislation will allow the City of Yerington to partner with Nevada Copper to responsibly develop a mine, generate renewable energy, and enhance recreation, all while protecting sensitive lands for generations

to come. The bill will create more than 800 jobs and provide a huge opportunity for growth in one of Nevada’s most distressed counties. Mining is a critical component of our economy and we are fortunate to have access to these resources for economic development.

Another tool we have in our backyard is a vast amount of renewable energy. Churchill County is a leader in clean, geothermal production, and plays a big role in making Nevada second, only to California, in geothermal energy production. Churchill County serves as an example of how to harness renewable energy, which I believe must be a part of any long-term energy strategy.

Northern Nevada has a diversity that makes it a great place not only to do business, but to live. The rural character of Nevada’s roots still shines through in places like Virginia City and the beautiful Carson Valley, while providing the convenience of being only minutes from the State Capitol and Reno.

What we all know about the Silver State is that Nevadans are resilient, which is one reason I am so proud to call Nevada home.

Because no state has been hit harder by the recent economic downturn, my top priority continues to be getting Nevadans back to work.

In order to do this, Congress needs to craft an economic plan that focuses on getting rid of burdensome regulations, reforming the tax code, and constructing an all of the above energy policy that includes the vast geothermal, solar and wind resources our state is blessed with. I am confident that the energy and resourcefulness of Nevadans will continue to make Nevada a great place to live and do business.

NORTHERN NEVADA NEEDS MORE LOCAL CONTROL TO CHART ECONOMIC FUTURE nevada Congressman Mark Amodei (nV- )

A

major challenge we face in Northern Nevada is that a checkerboard of public lands and federal lands managers restrict economic development options for many of our communities. Roughly 85 percent of Nevada is controlled by the federal government. The Pumpkin Hollow project in Lyon County is a good example of this issue. Hundreds of highpaying, private sector jobs are on hold pending passage of a lands bill in Congress, which is a time-consuming process. And, unlike Southern Nevada, the North does not have an equivalent of the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) to facilitate public lands sales.

That is why I introduced a series of bills to provide Northern Nevada’s communities with more local control to determine our own economic futures.

The first is the “Small Lands Tracts Conveyance Act” to accelerate the process for transferring small parcels of federal land to local communities. In western states, non-controversial public land sales to decrease the vast federal inventory can take more than a decade to complete. While I believe there should be scrutiny for any sale, the bureaucratic regulatory maze and slow legislative process are culprits in dragging out the transfers.

Why should it take more than 10 years for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to transfer lands they do not want to local stakeholders who do? We need an efficient process that promotes community-directed uses and reasonable economic development. In Nevada, administrative and legislative delays are a wet blanket on our economy.

The bill defines a “small tract” as 160 acres or less and would limit the transfer process to 18 months by establishing firm deadlines for the BLM and USFS. It would exclude lands with established federal protection for cultural, biological, or endangered species issues.

Revenue collected from sales would be equally distributed to states where the federal government owns more than 33 percent of total land ownership. State governments would only be permitted to use funds to purchase additional federal lands consistent with land use management under Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) or to comply with mandates under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Water Act, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). For instance, in Nevada, this additional funding could be used for sage hen or desert tortoise mitigation.

This is a win-win-win. It would save taxpayers, BLM and USFS the expense of managing an excessive portfolio of federal lands. It would

generate revenue for local government. And it would give states like Nevada freedom to determine how best to use our own lands, whether it is for economic development, agriculture, recreation, or conservation.

I also introduced bills for Fernley, Fallon, and Storey County. Many of the issues addressed by these bills have been years in the making.

These communities deserve solutions to enable them to chart their own growth.

The “Fernley Economic Self-Determination Act” would give the City of Fernley the opportunity to purchase up to 9,114 acres of BLM and Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) lands within city boundaries at fair market value for multi-use development.

The “Naval Air Station Fallon Housing and Safety Development Act” would transfer a 400 acre BLM parcel within the confines of the Fallon Naval Air Station to the Secretary of the Navy.

This land would be used for 200 new homes for Navy families and would provide needed flexibility to enable the base to grow. In 1991, BLM made this request, but more than 20 years later, the transfer has still not occurred.

This land will enable the Navy to upgrade base housing without displacing families from their current homes. The bill was recently included in the FY 2014 National Defense Authorization Act, which means it will likely become law by the end of this calendar year.

The “Restoring Storey Act” would transfer surface rights to approximately 1,745 acres of BLM land in Virginia City to Storey County to resolve conflicting ownership and title claims.This historic problem dates back to the 19th century. Faulty surveys, lost documentation, and maps without bearings make it nearly impossible to sort out claims of ownership. The property in question has been occupied for decades by families who believe they own it when legally they’re considered trespassers on BLM land.

The central theme with all these bills is that they would enable communities to determine their own economic futures, and that is what Nevada needs in order to generate smart, sustainable development.

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SAVE TIME, EFFORT: COMPLETE YOUR SILVERFLUME PROFILE Secretary of State Ross Miller

S

ilverFlume, Nevada’s Business Portal, gathers all of the agencies involved in starting a business under one digital roof. My office designed the website, www.nvsilverflume.gov, with the understanding that an entrepreneur’s goal is to get a business off the ground and running - not be mired by piles of paperwork.

SilverFlume collects Common Business Registration Data, which is basic information that nearly every Nevada governmental agency requires such as your name, email, organization, and contact details. You will need a SilverFlume Profile to start and manage your business(es) online. If you haven’t completed your Common Business Registration profile, I strongly urge you to log in to SilverFlume and finish the process. The integrated service enables you to enter the information once when interacting with different agencies, helping all parties save time and effort.

www.nvsilverflume.gov

If you have any questions, contact customer support at (775) 684-5708 or support@nvsilverflume.gov.

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Future services within SilverFlume will allow you to process licenses from municipal to state governmental agencies throughout Nevada. Current partners include the following: • • • • • • • • •

Nevada Secretary of State’s Office Nevada Department of Taxation Nevada Department of Business and Industry Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles Nevada Office of the State Treasurer Nevada Department of Administration Douglas County, Nevada

SilverFlume’s business checklist tool informs you of the licenses necessary to operate your company. The operating wizard guides you through each licensing process in the correct order, eliminating guesswork. You can also opt to receive electronic renewal notifications for each license, providing plenty of time to renew before the due date.

STEPS TO SETTING UP YOUR COMMON BUSINESS REGISTRATION: 1. At www.nvsilverflume.gov, find your existing business using the Nevada Business Search.

2. When your business displays in the search results, click the “Manage this Business” button.

3. Your SilverFlume Dashboard opens. Click on the business to open it.

4. From your business checklist, click the “Start” button next to Common Business Registration. This step results in a completed Common Business Registration and Workers’ Compensation eAffirmation of Compliance that satisfies local business licensing requirements for the D-25 form.

B U S i n e S S

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Lynn Hettrick – executive Director, nevada Dairy Commission

MILK DRIVES DE-REGULATIONS, TAX REDUCTION AND LOWER COSTS ver the last few years, the Dairy Commission and the Commission staff have been working to reduce our operating costs. The biggest savings have come through the implementation of new technology. We began teleconferencing our monthly meetings, saving time and travel expense. We have maximized our use of email and the internet to send newsletters and notices. Our new website,www.dairy.nv.gov, provides lots of information in an easy and quick format. And, much of the information we need from our licensees is now obtained electronically, saving licensees and the Commission, staff time and expense. As a result of these savings measures, our operating costs have gone down and our state mandated reserves have increased.

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As the savings from these various measures became apparent, we recognized the ability to lower assessments and, effective July 1, 2011, we lowered the taxes on fluid milk by 20%. With the closing of our 2009-2011 budget in June, we saw a significant and unneeded increase in our reserves. We declared a tax holiday for December of 2011 and another tax holiday in June of 2012. For our dairies and dairy processors, we extended their operating permits for one year without a fee. Over the last 18 months, we have reduced the taxes paid to the Dairy Commission by almost 20%.And, we have made continuing tax reductions one of the Dairy Commission’s “Performance Indicators� for the upcoming biennium.

The construction of the powdered milk plant in Fallon is another example of the business friendly atmosphere we have created for the dairy industry in Nevada. The Dairy Commission staff reviewed and approved the plans for the new plant in record time – construction started in 2012 and the plant is scheduled to be operational in late 2013. It would have taken longer than that just to get a building permit in many western states. We are approving building plans for additional milk production facilities with similar speed as the industry ramps up to provide the fluid milk needed to operate the plant at capacity.

We are truly appreciative of the members of the dairy industry that have chosen to “Improve the State of their Business� by locating here and creating jobs in Nevada. We continue to strive to make the Silver State the most business friendly dairy state in the country.

Runway 9/27 6,100 ft x 75 ft Carson City Terminal Area Forecast

AiRPoRT

Straight in GPS Approach available March 2013

lowest:

Runway 9/27 6,100 ft x 75 ft Terminal Area Forecast Straight in GPS Approach available July 2013

t '6&- 13*$&4 */ 5)& 8&45&3/ 6 4 t -08&3 5)"/ */ 3&/0 t .0/5)-: 5*& %08/ "/% )"/("3 41"$& '&&4 t 1&340/"- 1301&35: 5"9&4 */ 5)& "3&"

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offering: â—†

Flight Instruction â—† Charter Services â—†Aircraft Sales & Maintenance â—†

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Leasable Space for Hangar Development

For information contact the management:

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connecting Lindsey Niedzielski, State Director of Connect Nevada

nevada future to the

here’s no denying that Northern Nevada has its eyes on the future. In the new digital age, broadband is critical to participation in today’s society.

Internet access and skills mean being able to apply for jobs, pay bills, access educational resources, keep up with current events, obtain government services, shop for goods, and so much more. That is why communities across the Sierra Region of Nevada are making broadband access, adoption, and use among their residents a top priority.

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development projects hundreds of technology-related jobs becoming available in the coming years. That’s why it’s so important to ensure that Nevada communities are equipped to support

developing businesses while local residents are qualified to fill new

positions.

That’s where the Connect Nevada initiative

comes in. Connect Nevada is a nonprofit

organization that was commissioned by the state

to work with the Nevada Broadband Task Force.

Connect Nevada’s Connected Community

Engagement Program is now fully in process in

all rural counties across the Northern Nevada

Development Authority (NNDA) region.

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Douglas County has earned the Connected program’s first bragging rights in the state. Douglas is the very first certified “Connected Community� in Nevada. The recognition came in December 2012 and has already given a noticeable boost to the County’s economic diversification efforts, particularly in attracting businesses from the technology and high-tech manufacturing sectors. As part of the Connected process, the Connect Nevada Team is continuing to work with Douglas County in the implementation of their priority technology projects identified in the county’s technology assessment.

There are ongoing discussions to solicit support from technology providers not only to further improve the quality of broadband across Douglas County, but also in implementing community programs that will expand the adoption and use of broadband even further.

Lyon County is a community in action after completing its Connected technology assessment earlier this year. Since the Lyon County Technology Plan was delivered, teams are being formed to work on the projects selected to improve the county’s technology and broadband landscape. The projects include implementing a community based technology awareness program for local residents, analyzing local regulations in regards to broadband technology needs, supporting current broadband projects that are already underway or starting soon, and raising awareness of the benefits of broadband and related technology.

Storey County completed its assessment this spring and has selected its priority projects for broadband expansion. The county’s official Technology Action Plan is scheduled to be finalized this summer and will include projects that support current broadband projects in the county as well as analyzing local regulations in regards to broadband, conducting broadband speed testing with county residents, securing low-cost computers through partnerships for low-income residents, continuing to develop or identify broadband training and awareness programs for small and medium businesses, implementing a community-based technology awareness program, collecting and displaying business and zoning information, supporting digital learning initiatives for the school in Storey County, and continuing to support public safety network initiatives within the four-county area.

Churchill County is currently in the process of conducting its technology assessment. The work is about sixty percent complete. Right now, leaders are in the process of collecting information to finish the Adoption and Use sections of the assessment in the hopes of having a final Technology Action Plan complete by mid-July, 2013.

It’s clear there is a lot of work to be done in building the solid broadband foundation needed for the NNDA’s future economic success, but with the help of Connect Nevada, that work is decidedly underway. With the hard work of everyone involved, northern Nevada is making sure all residents will have access to broadband’s life-changing benefits for years to come.

For more information, visit the Connect Nevada website at: www.connectnv.org. You can also follow Connect Nevada on Facebook and Twitter.

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Chester Caulder, CC Communications Sales and Marketing

Churchill County’s Business Surprise 14

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rom the green waves of alfalfa growing across the valley’s sandy desert floor to the U.S. Navy basing its TOP GUN fighter training program some

260 miles from the ocean, visitors to the community are awed by the conspicuous divergences from their preconceptions of a rural Nevada community that sits along what a Life magazine article called “The Loneliest Road in America,” US 50.

The county’s advanced telecommunications infrastructure elicits similar gasps from prospective business owners and residents. Provided by CC Communications, it includes extensive deployment of fiber to the premise and a collapsed Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) ring connecting the county to a carrier hotel in Reno – and directly to the global telecommunications backbone.

“Fiber to the premise is available to about 20 percent of U.S. businesses and residents,” reports Pete Olsen, Churchill County Commissioner

and CC Communications board chair. “In Churchill County, CC Communications provides fiber to the premise to 80 percent of the population.

“That US 50 article by Life portrayed rural Nevada as a place devoid of civilization,” he concludes, “yet our citizens enjoy amenities and services far superior to those accessible to a large majority of the nation.

For business owners, we can pass zeroes and ones as easily as most anybody, and our quality of life makes our little ‘desolate stretch’ the oasis of Nevada.”

Churchill County has always understood the need to connect to the rest of the world using best-available technology. When the telegraph company decided to cease service in the area, the county started CC Communications on August 5, 1889, purchasing for $975 the telegraph wire plants from Virginia City eastward to a point 25 miles east of Stillwater.

CC Communications continues that entrepreneurial spirit today by supplementing its telecommunications infrastructure with a Managed Data Services enterprise, combining virtual (outsourced) IT, data center and cloud solutions for northern Nevada businesses.

Mark Feest, CC Communications General Manager, summarizes, “The majority of new jobs are created by small businesses, many of which cannot afford dedicated IT personnel and resources. Worse, the resources available from the larger metro areas don’t really understand how to deliver quality, personalized services to rural customers. CC Communications has filled that void for 123 years.

“Our Managed Data Services offering provides responsive, customized IT support and resources to those business owners at a manageable cost.”

An advanced telecommunications infrastructure and data services targeted to rural customers, just two more ways CC Communications and Churchill County continue to surprise people.

You Only Get One Chance at Your Child’s Education.

B U S i n e S S

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Our state of the art veterinary facility is efficient and offers a clean and comfortable environment for your beloved furry family member.

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Lyndee Cichon, Director, nevada ptAC, procurement outreach program

he U.S. federal government is the largest single purchaser in the world and buys over $500 billion in goods and services every year.

This represents an enormous and noteworthy opportunity for businesses that are looking for customers to buy their products and services.

“Procurement” is a big word that has a simple meaning - acquiring goods and services for the best possible cost and at the best possible time to benefit others. It is a term most often used within governmental agencies.

Before you invest the time into marketing your business to the government and submitting a bid or proposal, you’ll need to do some homework.

Although the government as a whole may buy everything - not all government agencies purchase all goods and services.

The process of securing a government contract can sometimes be daunting – if it were that easy, every business would do it. However, there are steps any business can take to establish the necessary groundwork to pursue government business successfully. Keep in mind that there are resources available to assist you through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and your local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).

Getting Started In order to submit any bid or proposal to the federal government, certain basic steps are required regardless of the federal agency you wish to do business with: Get a DUNS Number • The Data University Numbering System (DUNS) provides your business with a unique identifier required to do business with the federal government. You can obtain a DUNS number at no charge by calling (866) 705-5711 or by visiting the website www.dnb.com.

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Determine your Codes • North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes are used by the federal government to identify specific products and services. The primary industry classification is a six-digit NAICS code that best describes your primary business activity.

NAICS code designations are at: http://www.census.gov/eos/www/ naics. If you wish to do business with the Department of Defense (DoD), you will also need to know your Federal Supply Class or Service Code (FSC) which can be found athttp://www. logisticsinformationservice.dla.mil/H2/search.aspx.

Register with SAM • The System for Award Management (SAM) has consolidated previous online systems including CCR and ORCA. Registration is free and when you register, you must provide your DUNS number, average number of employees, average annual gross receipts and your NAICS codes. You will want to make sure your SAM profile is as detailed as possible because it is resource for agencies as well as prime contractors to find your business through SAM database searches for potential suppliers.

Once these steps have been completed, it is important to develop personal relationships with contracting officers and buyer representatives in order to be in the position to take advantage of procurement opportunities as they arise. Government buyers are looking for high quality products, reliable suppliers and fair prices just like any other buyer. However, unlike other buyers, government buyers may also be looking for vendors that help them meet their purchasing goals for small businesses and supplier diversity.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;procurementâ&#x20AC;? is a big word that has a simple meaning - acquiring goods and services for the best possible cost and at the best possible time to beneďŹ t others. it is a term most often used within governmental agencies.

Small Business Certifications Federal agencies are mandated by law to award at least 23% of all government contracts to small businesses. Many agencies elect to award a much higher percentage of contracts to small businesses on an annual basis.

How do you know if you are a small business? The federal government, most state government agencies and many corporations utilize the size standards published by the SBA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; learn more at www.sba.gov.

In addition to meeting their goals for small businesses, federal agencies have statutory goals for certain small business designations that may qualify your business for special consideration such as Women-owned small businesses (WOSB), Service-disabled-veteran owned small businesses (SDVOSB) or businesses located in a historically underutilized business zone (HUBZone).

It is important for every small business to be aware of what certifications they qualify for and then to pursue the corresponding certifications which may be a self-certification or may require a formal review process.

Certifications do not guarantee contracts but they do represent another important marketing tool for small businesses to utilize when seeking government contracts and can provide your business with a competitive advantage.

Nevada PTAC The Nevada PTAC is part of a nationwide network of business counselors committed to helping Nevada businesses improve upon their marketing skills for both prime contract as well as sub-contract opportunities across all types of government agencies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; federal, state and local. The Nevada PTAC Procurement Outreach Program provides services free of charge such as one-on-one counseling, bid-matching, workshops, and buyer matchmaking events.

For more information please visit www.diversifynevada.com. You may also call and speak to a Procurement Specialist directly at (702) 486-2700 in Las Vegas or (775) 687-9900 in Carson City.

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nevada moves to #9 in best state for business

Lee Bonner, nnDA Communications

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s the country moves out of the great recession itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s imperative that businesses look for a place to do business that will help them become successful.

Nevada has been able to create opportunities that will not only increase the likelihood of business success, but have an area with great infrastructure and outstanding quality of life including a safe community for families.

Chief Executive Magazine just named Nevada as the number 9 state for business rising 3 spots from 12th in 2012. Nevada is able to utilize the private sector making it easier for the state to be more business friendly keeping taxes low and the regulations minimal.

Leveraging private industry allows for more collaboration and a sharing of responsibilities across the state. Growing the economy of Nevada is a partnership and when the economy grows, all businesses benefit.

Gov. Brian Sandoval in his 2013 State of the State speech spoke about the recent recession and said, “We cannot tax our way out, we cannot cut our way out, we must grow our way out.”

Compare this to the mindset of neighboring California, which continues to add taxes and regulations to an already burdensome state which ranks 50th making it the worst state for business.

With that information, why would anyone want to make California their business home?

Northern Nevada’s Development Authority is able to highlight ways they can help businesses make these decisions through their new website, www.improvethestateofyourbusiness. com. They have built an open source economic development model that utilizes a volunteer workforce that can help companies navigate their way to Nevada.

Nevada has also been successful in finding ways for businesses to make these moves in the downturn by assisting them in expanding operations out of California into Northern Nevada and the Sierra Region giving them a strategic way to slowly divest away from California. California’s perceived hostility towards business makes Nevada’s business friendly environment even more enticing than it already is.

Companies moving to Nevada are finding low taxes and regulations, quality workforce and outstanding living environment. Northern Nevada’s growing economy will ensure that they will maintain this in the future.One CEO said, “Nevada will grow, improve and succeed partly because of a ‘suicidal’ California on its border. The business migration is a ‘snowball’.”

The other side of that story is due to Nevada not being a big brother to business. They know what businesses need in order to be successful.

Businesses need a better chance at success.With lower taxes, minimal regulations, outstanding quality of life, and safe communities for families Northern Nevada is the place to go.

What better place to live, work and play with Lake Tahoe in the backyard.Visit www.improvethestateofyourbusiness.com.

Investment in

rural nevada is Long Term Marcy Fox, Frontier Communications

T

here is no question that our communities and businesses have been impacted first hand by the lack of broadband in rural Nevada. Many businesses look to relocate here, but face challenges just to setup the network and broadband needed to run their business. This area has faced broadband limitations for many years and businesses are eager to deploy advanced communications solutions that will bring them to the next level.

So what can be done to overcome these challenges and make our State and rural counties more attractive to do business?

To meet these challenges, it takes a significant financial investment on behalf of local broadband providers. There are usually several roadblocks encountered along the way and the process can take a significant amount of time. The number one challenge to extend and enhance broadband is financial funding, and although some grants may be available, the cost to build out broadband istremendous. This process is considerably more expensive in rural areas and the return on investment takes much longer than it would in an urban setting.

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There are greater distances between the telecommunications central office locations and the end users (customers), which increase the costs of materials and equipment. In some areas antiquated equipment demands significant upgrades or replacement. Other challenges faced are the need to file permits, which can take up to 45 days or more and obtaining easement rights or joint pole agreements with other utilities.

Frontier Communications is one provider that made the commitment to expand broadband services across the state, providing families with connections to education, health and financial services and businesses with critical communications and information infrastructure. Network enhancements and capital investments for Frontier operations in Nevada totaled $4.6 million in 2012 and still continue into 2013.

There may also be ways for State and County governments to help local providers, such as Frontier Communications, expand their networks and bring more broadband to rural Nevada. Government entities and public utilities could be encouraged to notify the telecommunications provider of new or existing roadway projects so new infrastructure can be placed during that time, therefore, taking a more proactive approach and reducing the costs and delays associated with future construction, fees and permits.

Broadband challenges have impacted Nevadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic development over time, but today we are starting to see improvements as new products and services become available and broadband expands throughout our counties.

B U S i n e S S

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A Lot of Town in Ten Minutes

C

arson City is a proud supporter of NNDA in their ongoing regional economic development efforts. As a City Supervisor I am the designated liaison with the NNDA Board of Directors.

As a commercial real estate broker, I serve on the NNDA’s commercial real estate committee, which works directly with companies looking at relocating to this area. I have direct knowledge of the hard work NNDA does on a daily basis and the importance not only to our region but to individual companies contemplating a move to our area.

Because of the multiple hats I wear, I watch firsthand how NNDA navigates the varied interest between the business community, the cities and counties, and the state, all of whom NNDA has a responsibility to represent. These important government constituents usually see eye to eye on issues, but not always, and NNDA has extensive expertise in successfully navigating through those interests to obtain a mutually beneficially result.

NNDA pursues new companies for the entire region.

The needs of a particular company may dictate whether that company chooses Lyon County, where there may be more carbon air credits, or Washoe County, where workforce is plentiful, or Carson City, which has available water, great access to government agencies and an unparalleled quality of life. No city or county can change a company’s requirements – we can only list our community’s attributes as honestly and eloquently as possible and worktowards a match.

Since January 2010, NNDA has directly participated in bringing five new companies to Carson City. For our community this equates to 104 total new jobs and over $20,000,000 in combined economic impact. These are meaningful numbers

Brad Bonkowski, Carson City Supervisor

for our City. 104 jobs may or may not sound like a lot, but if you are one of the 104 families whose lives were improved by a new job, it was certainly meaningful for you.

The “Rating Guide to Life in America’s Small Cities” ranks Carson City as the 19th best “metropolitan” area in the U.S. and “Boomtown USA” calls us one of the top 50 communities in the West for the greatest opportunities for business, jobs and lifestyle.

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So what does Carson City have to offer? As the home of the Nevada Legislature, Nevada Supreme Court and all five of Nevada’s constitutional offices, as well as a center for federal government agencies, the government sector employs about one out of three City residents. Because of this, there is more stability to our local economy than other cities in Nevada. Carson City is also the per capita manufacturing center of the state, with 14% of the employed workforce in manufacturing, compared to the state average of 4%. Carson City is also business friendly when it comes to providing water for developers or manufacturers as most water rights are owned and controlled by the municipality thereby giving our community an edge when it comes to attracting high water users and keeping development costs low. We are an attractive relocation spot for companies interested in low taxes and an abundant labor force all within one day delivery to California, the largest consumer market in the US. As mentioned above, Carson City also has an exceptional quality of life. The “Rating Guide to Life in America’s Small Cities” ranks Carson City as the 19th best “metropolitan” area in the U.S. and “Boomtown USA” calls us one of the top 50 communities in the West for the greatest opportunities for business, jobs and lifestyle. Carson City residents enjoy quality-of-life attributes such as a strong sense of community pride, a state of the art hospital and cancer treatment center, and easy access to government officials and elected leaders. We are a “10 minute town” meaning you can get to any spot within the City in ten minutes or less.

I am proud to represent Carson City in business and politics and I am here to answer any questions. Our city is business friendly and our Mayor, Bob Crowell, as well as all four Supervisors will tell you their door is always open and you are invited to stop by anytime to chat.

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A paradigm

Mike Raponi nevada Career and technical education

A

cross the country, career and technical education (CTE) is called upon to play a more significant role in economic and workforce development efforts, including college and career readiness. The expectation is for CTE to step up and clearly articulate to stakeholders, especially business and industry, just exactly what it is doing to prepare high school students for postsecondary education and training and, yes, the workplace. In Nevada, the overarching goal is to ensure CTE students graduate high school with the (1) academic skills as per state standards and local requirements; (2) technical skills, as defined by standards-based CTE course sequences; and (3) employability skills that industry continues to report are as important as ever.

Academic standards and assessments have taken on a new life with the state adoption of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and mathematics. Since Nevada is a governing state of the Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium (SBAC), the state is participating with more than thirty other states to develop and implement common assessments to measure student proficiency.

Over the last two years, CTE has undergone a reformation of its own, with the adoption of the State CTE Course Catalog and development of end-of-program technical assessments. First, the Catalog stipulates a “core course sequence” for all CTE programs, whereby to become a program completer, the student must complete the required courses in the core sequence. Generally, a core sequence consists of three one-credit courses aligned to each other, as in the example below.

• • •

4

Accounting and Finance I Accounting and Finance II Accounting and Finance III Viewpoint

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for career and technical education The level three (III) course is the completion-level course, and it is at this point the student is eligible to take the end-of-program technical assessment. All assessments are online and developed directly against the state standards. This May, students at the completion level will take endof-program assessments developed for nearly thirty CTE programs. It is important to note that these assessments serve two purposes: One, they provide a common measurement of technical knowledge for program completers in each CTE discipline. Two, the assessments are standardsbased, where test results will show student performance directly aligned to each technical standard. This direct alignment of assessment results to state standards will provide a powerful tool to improve instruction. To further explain, an instructor will clearly see how his class performed on a state-level assessment for each and every standard he is responsible for teaching.

To determine student acquisition of employability skills, commonly known as the “soft” skills, CTE students at the completion level will take an additional assessment aligned to the Employability Skills for Career Readiness standards the State Board of Education adopted in 2012. These standards mirror the Workplace Readiness Standards used for students in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Why did Nevada adopt the “Virginia Standards?”After thorough review, stakeholders learned first-hand that these standards were developed with extensive employer input and are considered universal. The twenty-one employability standards are organized in three

domains: (1) Personal Qualities and People Skills; (2) Professional Knowledge and Skills; (3) Technology Knowledge and Skills.

For accountability, the Nevada Department of Education will track student performance (for CTE program completers) for the acquisition of both the technical and employability skills. For complete accountability, school districts and schools will have instant access to student-level data.

Also, students will now receive credentials to demonstrate performance against higher standards. The first credential, and this is new, is the Certificate of Skill Attainment. To receive this certificate, the student must (1) earn a 3.0 grade-point average in the CTE core course sequence; (2) pass the end-of-program technical assessment; and (3) pass the employability skills assessment. The Certificate of Skill Attainment is endorsed by the Department of Education, the State Board of Education, the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, and the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office for Economic Development.

The second credential is the Certificate of Workplace Readiness Skills, issued by the Career and Technical Education Consortium of States (CTECS). Nevada and Virginia are partnering to issue the same credential for the same exam based on the same standards. This is a pioneering effort that demonstrates a commitment to excellence and the sharing of resources, from the employability standards to instructor resources to teach the standards, among two states.

This is indeed a new paradigm for CTE. Changes at this level do not come easy or without cost. But the time is long overdue for CTE to step up to the plate and show exactly what it is doing for our students leaving high school by providing a direct contribution to economic- and workforcedevelopment efforts and, most importantly, in a way that makes sense to employers.

For more information about CTE, visit our website at http://cteae.nv.gov/.

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storey

poised future for the

he Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRI) is full of energy and activity as we approach the summer of 2013. Our activity level as measured in leads,visits and tours by potential buyers, new transactions in escrows, and movement of properties and facilities, started improving in a significant way last fall and is now moving at a robust pace.

Incoming companies appear to still be having some difficulty in finding major commercial financing (although it feels as if there is some loosening with corporate credit for construction) but there seems to be a saved up demand for new distribution nodes and manufacturing facilities. For instance, a company here at TRI just broke ground on a new 500,000 square foot “spec-built” facility.

Our present economy has offered a number of opportunities for TRI and Storey County giving us what we feel is a major competitive advantage – true fast track permitting, almost all heavy industrial uses preapproved by ordinance (e.g. no planning commission review), extremely low county fees, and commercial sized overbuilt utilities already in place. With the proliferation of regulations, taxes, and bureaucracy existing practically everywhere else, TRI and Storey County is a true oasis for national and global distribution and manufacturing businesses.

We would like to highlight for you three items which we consider to be great news.

Arms Manufacturers

With all the recent “hubbub” around gun laws, and new laws being passed in many states going after magazines and ammunition, we have become quite an attraction for arms manufacturers and related companies who produce gun furniture or ammunition.

We have a pre-approved, entitled live fire range complex with three ranges capable of handling handguns, shotguns, rifles (both sporting and government contract style), and machine guns up to Caliber .50. Our ranges are in an area with varied terrain and high ridges edging the target areas which enhances its attractiveness.

We currently have four arms companies in TRI, three of which came into the park in the last 90 days. The live fire range may be the only one of its kind in an industrial park in the United States.

Our main competition, of course, is Texas where Governor Rick Perry is making personal phone calls to gun companies courting them to come into his state. Our live fire range and our Storey County business friendly environment still has Texas beat hands down when it comes to meeting the needs of arms manufacturers.

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Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center Update

L. Lance Gilman

Kris Thompson

Full Absorption of Vacant Space We have also noticed another phenomenon going on at TRI â&#x20AC;&#x201C; over the last six months virtually all of the vacant large industrial space under roof has been absorbed. This is a great indicator of the vitality at TRI. And we can announce that theTRI Developer recently bought four smaller buildings in the park ranging in size from 6,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet. These are being offered back to the broker community at competitive prices. This is an indicator of confidence on the part of the developer in its park. And, it shows even the smaller buildings are being absorbed.

The California Connection We really should send the California state and Bay Area lawmakers a bevy of thank you cards. We are in the midst of a true exodus of companies from the San Francisco and Sacramento areas. Almost every potential buyer that has visited TRI regales us with horror stories about the regulators, taxes, and all around anti-commercial atmosphere now existing in that State. We had one small company so fed up with California recently that they moved their equipment and machinery into temporary storage here while they closed their deal for space in TRI. We should leverage our competitive advantage that we have over California at the present. The low tax, low regulation environment we are enjoying in Nevada may not last forever. At TRI, we are playing this card for all itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth with California companies.

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Summary What a great year this is turning out to be for TRI. After three years of relative commercial doldrums we are now seeing growth and significant vertical activity at TRI. With gun laws being passed in other states, and California driving out their manufacturing and distribution companies, northern Nevada and TRI are poised for success.

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improving the state of your business by

embracing

a generational workforce

Dana Dean, District Manager, Kelly Services

T

he major recession over the last several years no doubt touched every business sector. Some organizations were left scrambling for a completely new business model—or at least something different that would keep them afloat. But truthfully, it shouldn’t always take a crisis to prompt change.

Businesses should always be looking for ways to improve, no matter what the economic climate.

And yet, isn’t that the million dollar question: How, exactly, do employers improve the state of their businesses on a consistent basis?

to improve the state of your business—and to secure it for the future—you’ve got to understand and embrace the dynamics of the multi-generational workforce.

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Well, there’s a reason that practically every business blogger these days tends to write about the multi-generational workforce. The smartest business owners know that the economy of the future will rely heavily on knowledge in order to compete on both a local and global scale. Knowledge starts with the ability to hire the right mix of people. And today that “mix” is more diverse than ever, coming from all walks of life and all generations.

To improve the state of your business—and to secure it for the future—you’ve got to understand and embrace the dynamics of the multigenerational workforce.

You can start by recognizing the dynamics behind such a varied workforce today. They are complex, but some aspects are well known. Baby Boomers, for example, are retiring in record numbers, leaving a leadership deficit by those with critical experience. And yet, people are living longer and also choosing to work longer, making the number of people 55 and older in the workforce higher than it’s ever been since 1948. This means that the possibility of Baby Boomers working alongside “millennials” in their early 20s, or even those in Generation “Z” born after 1990 who have no idea what it’s like to live without the Internet—and who have a drastically different view of the workplace—is also stronger than it’s ever been.

This multi-generational labor pool presents challenges, but there are also real benefits. The key for your business is to understand and recognize what each generation brings to the table, and how those very different viewpoints can add to your core competencies. Becoming more flexible in day-to-day operations, such as recognizing that younger workers in particular are not necessarily looking for traditional 40-hour-a-week jobs, is just one way to successfully integrate a multi-generational workforce.

By continually educating yourself on these dynamic changes in the workplace today, and by allowing a multi-generational workforce to contribute its unique perspectives, there is no doubt that your business will consistently improve.

Dana Dean is a district manager for Kelly Services in Reno, Nevada.

Since 1964, Kelly Services, a leader is workforce solutions, has been meeting the employment needs of area businesses in Northern Nevada. For more information on how Kelly can help improve the state of your business through qualified employees of all generations, in Carson City call 775-887-9191, in Reno call 775-887-9191.

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9

Can’t

Means Don’t Want To…

Jeff Page, Lyon County Manager

G

overnment has earned a reputation of being difficult to work with. This reputation has evolved due to increased regulations being forced down to and through local government. Businesses have been told we can’t do that and business has been left with perception that “can’t means we don’t want to do what you want”.

Lyon County is working to change that perception in order attract new businesses to the area and retain businesses that are already operational in Lyon County.

In 2010 the Board of County Commissioners approved a revised Comprehensive County Master Plan. The Master Plan has required Lyon County to review and revise land use ordinances.

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One of those land use ordinances was the creation of a Village Center Mixed Use District. The purpose of the village center mixed use district is to create an interim district to initiate implementation of provisions of the Lyon County comprehensive master plan while Lyon County develops a consolidated development code. The regulations for the village center mixed use district provide opportunities for compatible commercial and residential development at locations and at a scale designated by the comprehensive master plan as commercial mixed use in rural character areas. The district is intended to provide for a traditional settlement land use pattern with mixed commercial and residential uses arranged horizontally and/or vertically. Typical envisioned uses are neighborhood commercial and associated uses, and singleand multi-family attached and detached residential. This type of district is not intended to create a suburban or urban character and development may be restricted due to infrastructure limitations.

The Board of County Commissioners approved a request of staff to allow businesses and citizens a 90 day period to request that their applicable properties be changed to the new district and that all fees be waived. The Board of Commissioners approved the request and granted an additional 90 day extension. The Board of Commissioners has approved 98 requests for Village Center Mixed Use District.

Our Community Development Department (Building and Planning) have been working since July 2012 to create a Development Code and Standards. This code will streamline application processes, reduce the requirements for certain development and special use permits and create new zoning designations that are more in tune

with modern zoning. It is anticipated that Lyon County will be approving the Development Code and Standards later this summer or early fall.

Lyon County has not raised Community Development Fees for the past several years in an attempt to keep the business community’s costs down. Lyon County has also implemented a roundtable system that brings various county and state agencies to the table to meet with businesses that want to locate in Lyon County or expand their operations. This process is at no cost to the business and serves as a one stop shop to address any questions a business may have and to ensure the business understands the processes to get their business operational in Lyon County.

Lyon County has demonstrated a willingness to address concerns of the business community and the citizens it serves. In the past three years staff has proposed changes to ordinances and regulations and then vetted those proposed changes through our various Community Advisory Boards and town hall meetings. Since the inception of this process every proposed change to ordinances or regulations has had minor to major modifications based upon input from business and the public.

Lyon County has changed the culture of “can’t means don’t want to” to what is it you want to do and lets figure out how to get you there. Government will always have rules and regulations but Lyon County has been and continues to review our rules and regulations to determine if they are necessary for the public safety, health and welfare of its citizens and if they are not then abolish them or revise them to meet the needs of our communities.

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DiversifiKeycation to Local Recovery Steve Mokrohisky, Douglas County Manager

fter five years of broad economic declines at the national, state and local levels, communities like Douglas are becoming more strategic in developing vibrant and diverse economies that reflect the strengths of the local community.

Communities that became dependent on a high concentration of jobs within a small number of businesses have been forced to reevaluate that model and seek preventative measures to avoid economic isolation.

In Douglas County, Nevada, economic development partners have worked hard to diversify the agriculture, gaming and tourism based economy by supporting existing business expansion and relocation of new businesses in key industries including science, technology, health care and manufacturing. The ingredients that have led to successful business expansion and relocation include maintaining a low tax structure and a regulatory environment focused on solutions, not obstacles. In Douglas County examples of this can been seen through our investments in critical public infrastructure, downtown revitalization projects, and enhancing a natural environment that is second to none.

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Gregory Havemann, President, AnC Precision Machining, Inc., Gardnerville relocated to Douglas County in 2012. The company specializes in parts and services for aerospace and aircraft development.

Supporting Existing Business Expansions In addition to its rich agricultural heritage and tourism destination, Douglas County is home to world class science, technology and manufacturing leaders, including General Electric, Bently Enterprises, North Sails and Starbucks. Many of these companies were founded in Douglas County, while others relocated due to the unique business offerings and natural environment. Recent expansions at the Starbucks roasting plant and North Sails, the world leading sail maker, indicate a positive trend in private sector investment. These expansions also reflect a reality that businesses prefer to expand operations where they are already established as long as the local business climate continues to be favorable for that business. These expansions have created nearly 200 direct and indirect jobs in the past year in Douglas County.

Attracting New Businesses In many cases, Douglas County has become a welcome haven for frustrated businesses in other states that struggle with high taxes, excessive regulations and a focus on penalties, rather than partnerships. Over the past two years, 10 new companies have relocated to Douglas County, adding over 1,000 new direct and indirect jobs to the local economy. These businesses are diverse and have strong growth potential, including bio-science, technology, aerospace, health care, machining and logistics companies.

Many of these businesses are attracted by one of the lowest tax structures in the country, including no corporate income tax, no personal income tax, no business license, and near to the lowest property, sales and gas taxes in the state. Clean water, safe communities, beautiful scenery and the best public school system in the state are also compelling to businesses.

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DON JASSEL ENTERPRISE, INC. 1040 Matley lane, Suite 8 Reno, nevada 89502

775.324.9955

We're Not Done Yet The recent success with business expansions and relocations may lead some to conclude the job of creating a vibrant local economy is near complete. On the contrary, we have work to do to revitalize our downtowns, coordinate public services and conserve important open space. Douglas County is committed to working with its partners in the private and public sectors to ensure a vibrant local economy where businesses thrive. We are open for business, so come visit us and see why others choose to call Douglas County home.

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775.783.7606 | 1667 Lucerne Dr., Suite B, Minden 775.267.3396 | 931 Mica Dr., Suite 1, Carson City 775.783.7606 | Merrill Gardens at Gardnerville - Senior Care 775.783.7606 | 2299 Hwy 208, Smith, NV Viewpoint

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Viewpoint

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Proud to manufacture the best-engineered hydrants & valves for North America and the world.

Right here in Northern Nevada.

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AT FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS, WE PROVIDE TAILORED SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX BUSINESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS. We offer assistance, implementation support and full-term key solutions. Plus, we enhance our offering with a full suite of enterprise-grade services, as well as smart financing alternatives, providing you with one company to address all or any portion of your telecommunications needs.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Marcy Fox 775.782.0967 or marcy.fox@ftr.com

www.Frontier.com

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