Redevelopment-area Businesses Bolstered by Grants:  The Valley Center Opportunity Zone (VCOZ), a Las Vegas group looking to spur redevelopment and economic growth downtown, has given away nearly $275,000 in its first round of grants.  VCOZ helped 8 businesses fix up properties, replace aging equipment, to make the area more attractive.  The grants are paired with loans so the businesses can take redevelopment further.  The total economic impact of the first round of grants is estimated at $6 million.  For more information on VCOZ and applying for its annual grants, go to http://www.vcoz.org.  [From the April 27-May 3 In Business Las Vegas ]

Science & Engineering Students in Demand:  Science, technology, engineering and math programs at UNLV are seen as critical to the university’s growth and the state’s economic diversity, so UNLV is seeking the best and brightest students in these fields.  With grant money from the National Science Foundation, UNLV offers extensive research experience for undergraduates including a nationally competitive summer research fellowship that attracts students from across the country.  Another program is already succeeding in recruiting top students.  Called Nevada Stars, it offers enhanced stipends worth about $24,000 a year including tuition and fees to nine star students. [From the April 17 Las Vegas Sun]

Many Recruitment and Employment Centers in Las Vegas:  Lately it has gotten easier to find a job in Las Vegas.  Many recruitment centers and programs are opening up, seeking professionals in fields from casinos to health care.  Recruiting Nevada , which runs the area’s largest network of job postings, has expanded recruiting systems starting in early 2007.  As an example of the most needed professions, the chief executive states, “If you want to be a nurse, that’s hot.  If you want to be a teacher, that’s hot.  And at the end of the day we have a void of 4,000 construction workers.”  Job fair information is available at RecuitingNevada.com.  Some of the valley’s other new strategies include:  Harrah’s Entertainment recruiting center, which was set up on November 9, hires 150 people each week.  Potential employees can apply at harrahs.com.  University Medical Center launched a project on November 9 to inform jobseekers about careers and fill out applications.  Call (800) 228-2354.  Link Technologies of Las Vegas deals with information technology job openings.  For details call Debbie Banko at (702) 233-8703.  From the December 1-7 In Business Las Vegas

Nevada Voters Approve Minimum Wage Hike:  Nevada voters have approved raising the minimum wage to $6.15 an hour, one dollar above the current federal rate.  The state constitutional amendment took effect November 28.  Labor advocates say the increase was necessary and will not cause the fallout that businesses are predicting.  “At the end of the day, we value work and we value workers,” says the executive secretary treasurer of the Nevada AFL-CIO.  From the November 17-23 In Business Las Vegas

Veterans Program Focused on Recruitment Efforts:  The Nevada Department of Employment, Rehabilitation and Training is ramping up recruitment efforts for its “Hire Vets First” program.  The new state veterans coordinator will be reaching out to companies explaining why hiring veterans is advantageous.  Besides the benefits of hiring disciplined, skilled individuals, companies may also receive grants for on-the-job training.  For more information, call Roy Brown, the state coordinator, at (702) 486-6512.  From the November 17-23 In Business Las Vegas  

Top Las Vegas Airline to Double Worker Numbers:  Southwest Airlines, the busiest carrier at McCarran Airport , will develop a crew base by next fall that would more than double the number local employees to over 1,600.  A crew base is the origination and completion site of a flight crew’s trip.  Most flight crews prefer to live in the base city.  A top executive for Southwest says, “We’ve been growing every year and we love Las Vegas … it is our busiest airport in terms of daily departures.”  The long lead time for preparing for the base will give employees and their families plenty of time to make the move to Las Vegas .  From the November 3-9 In Business Las Vegas

Cheyenne Technology Corridor Diversifies NLV Employer Base:  North Las Vegas , the second fastest growing city in the nation, is focused on diversifying its employer base to attract and keep a growing population.  The Cheyenne Technology Corridor was devised to bring in more high paying jobs into the city.  The Corridor features Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Qualcomm Inc. is constructing its Secure Networks Operations there.  According to the mayor, there is currently a quarter of a million square feet of office and light industrial development along the Cheyenne Technology Corridor, but room for “millions more.  It’s barely scratched the surface.  Once Qualcomm opens it will explode.”  From the October 27 In Business – Focus on North Las Vegas

World Jewelry Center Planned for Downtown Las Vegas :  A 1 million square foot commercial property downtown is being developed to bring together jewelry retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and consumers.  The World Jewelry Center , set to begin development in 2007 with completion planned for 2009 or 2010, is being described by Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman as "a phenomenal way to diversify our economy... it will draw jewelry companies from all over the world."  From the October 26 Las Vegas Review-Journal

Small Companies in Nevada Adding Staff:  A national report shows that small businesses in Nevada area posting big employment gains in part due to a continuing construction boom, Strip shows, and conventions.  The first three quarters of the year Nevada ’s small companies grew an average of 5%, whereas nationwide small business experienced a workforce decline of .3%.  From the October 7 Las Vegas Review-Journal

Nevada Development Authority Brings 61 Companies to LV in 06:
A shorter commute, lower property taxes, no state tax, proximity to trade shows, and other factors allowed the Nevada Development Authority to assist 61 companies to move to Las Vegas during fiscal year 2006.  Newsweek International has rated Las Vegas number one on its list of most dynamic cities on the planet, reporting "The city is increasingly drawing spin-off industries in high-tech, finance and manufacturing".  From the July 15 Las Vegas Review-Journal

Nevada Unemployment Rate at a Low 4%: Unemployment in Nevada dropped in May to 4% as businesses added 7,400 jobs during the month.  "The Las Vegas and Reno areas are producing new jobs at an impressive rate, with job growth rates of more than 5 percent in the state's two major urban areas," said Governor Kenny Guinn. From the June 17 Las Vegas Review-Journal

Starting Pay for Teachers Increased: The teacher's union recently negotiated to increase starting pay for teachers to $33,073, up from $30,299.  This will result in instructors fresh out of college making the same salary this fall as teachers beginning their second and third years.  The decision was approved by the School Superintendent in order to receive more applicants.  The Clark County School District is the fifth-largest school system in the nation and is in need of up to 1,000 instructors this fall.  From the June 13 Las Vegas Review-Journal