Economy

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, in its capacity as the Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization, on Wednesday adopted an active transportation plan that will help communities continue to improve transportation options for bicyclists and pedestrians in the basin.

Nevada’s unemployment rate fell in February to a seasonally adjusted 5.9 percent, the first time in eight years that the rate has fallen below 6 percent, according to figures released Wednesday by the state's Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

Restoring and conserving our environment at Lake Tahoe means setting our aspirations at the right scale. That’s what the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and many partners are working to do through strategic initiatives to ensure the health of our basin’s forests, streams, and lake, and to improve our communities and transportation infrastructure.

Carson City is changing daily as work progresses to create a more walkable and bike friendly downtown. Changing the face of the downtown is the core of the many projects the city has undertaken to provide a better quality of life for the city’s citizens.

William Dakota Gershel and Timothy Ibarra, both seniors at Carson High School, have participated in Career and Technical Education programs since attending CHS as freshman. Ibarra participated in two years of auto technician courses and two years in auto body courses. Gershel experimented in a variety of CTE courses including culinary, web design and welding.

(Carson City, NV) -- The Second Annual Building a Stronger Nevada Economic Development Conference will explore the ideas, programs and products that are defining the new Nevada economy from Sept. 20-22, 2016 at the at the University of Nevada, Reno's Joe Crowley Student Union.

The multi-track conference is presented by the Western Nevada Development District, University of Nevada, Reno College of Business, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Center for Business & Economic Research, USDA Rural Development and Nevada Industry Excellence.

Recently, we’ve been reflecting on our experiences over the past year of public service together and the lessons we’ve learned.

Many of those lessons are unique to the particular functions of the Controller’s Office and include managing the departments of the office. But we also made more topical observations about our experience and how it has helped to shape and refine our views.

“When everyone is looking for gold, it’s good to be in the pick and shovel business.” — Mark Twain

The entrepreneur-turned-humorist ought to know. Even though Samuel Clemens failed miserably at both mining and logging ventures in Nevada, he gave getting rich his best shot. Twain well understood the appetite Americans have for money — and how far those who want a slice of the supply chain pie are willing to go in order to get it.
It’s the same ambitious impulse a recent Seattle Business article identified when it said, “Marijuana entrepreneurs are lining up to cash in.”

CARSON CITY, Nev. – Assemblyman PK O’Neill filed today for re-election to his Assembly District 40 seat, encompassing Carson City and parts of southern Washoe County east of Highway 395.

“I filed because I believe that the Capital District deserves effective representation in the Nevada Assembly,” the Carson City Republican said. “When I originally filed, I pledged to listen to everyone in Assembly District 40, to consider their views and all available information, and to apply my own principles in voting for legislation. I believe that my actions are in accord with the majority of my constituents.”

Nevada had 13,742 initial claims filed for unemployment insurance in January, down 5.4 percent from December as the state’s seasonal layoff period began to slow, according to figures released Wednesday by Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

“No pain, no gain!” For years, exercise buffs have encouraged people to hit the gym with this phrase.
Would as many have been eager to get off the couch if the rallying cry had been, “All pain, no gain”?

There is loads of history for free, or donations, if you are so inspired, at the Silver Terrace Cemeteries in Virginia City. However, Candace Wheeler, director of the Comstock Cemetery Foundation, has been a one-woman bastion against vandalism and defamation of the historic cemeteries of Virginia City, Gold Hill, and Silver City.

Kerri Garcia, an award-winning public relations and communications professional, has been named Director of Communications at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Garcia will lead the University’s efforts in internal and external communications, media relations and will serve as the institution’s primary spokesperson.

Garcia, a 1992 graduate of the University who previously was Community Relations and Communications Manager with Microsoft in Reno, begins work on April 1.

Nevada’s annual unemployment rate for 2015 that was previously estimated at 6.8 percent was revised to 6.7 percent during the annual benchmarking process, the state's Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation announced Thursday. Carson City’s benchmark revealed the area’s economy gained an annual average of 300 jobs over-the-year, an increase of 1.1 percent.

Each year, the Nevada controller’s financial reports have included an “economic outlook” section, as have reports by many government agencies and business, academic and journalistic entities. Nearly all such assessments are based on business-cycle analyses focused on economic sectors and geographic regions in the short and intermediate terms.

At Lake Tahoe, we know our natural resources are one of our most valuable assets, and that’s why we have worked for decades to conserve and restore them. The natural wonders of the Jewel of the Sierra and the opportunities they afford are why we live here, and why millions of visitors travel here to enjoy the Tahoe Basin each year.

From its beginning, The Salvation Army has relied heavily on volunteers who support its programs. Often referred to as “the army behind The Army," volunteers play a crucial role in The Salvation Army's ability to provide quality services for those in need throughout Carson City, Douglas County and the surrounding areas.

This year, when they fell short of volunteers, Supervisor Lori Bagwell stepped up and helped recruit a small army to work in their Christmas Warehouse.

Carson High School Career and Technical Education agriculture program lead teacher, Charlie Mann, donned his dress, braided his beard and welcomed his Agriculture 1 students to the Hunger Games.

The Carson City students have been studying world hunger, commodities, production and trade throughout the semester, and the Hunger Games simulation gave them an opportunity to examine trade and barter with their peers while relating to popular culture.

With the national economy still unsteady, many local businesses owners, agricultural business owners and community leaders in Nevada are concerned about the impact on their businesses.

Carson City’s lodging properties collected more than $16 million in revenues in 2015, up about $1.4 million from the previous year.

“That means we’re seeing lots of people visiting Carson City,” Joel Dunn, executive director of the Carson City Visitors Bureau told his board Monday evening. “They’re spending money and driving our economy.”

In our last column, we specified the duty of elected public officials: a fiduciary duty to voters, taxpayers and the broad public interest. Not, as some people claim, to government institutions such as the system of higher education, the military or some social service agency.

Unemployment in Carson City showed continued signs of improvement, dropping slightly to 6.7 percent in December from November's 6.8 percent or around 100 jobs added to payrolls, according to figures released Tuesday from the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

Al Kramer, former Carson City Treasurer, has announced he will run for Assembly District 40, which includes Carson City and a portion of South East Washoe County.

Kramer was the elected treasurer for Carson City from 1995 through 2015. Those who know him from his service as City Treasurer will acknowledge his efforts to go the extra mile in providing service to the citizens of Carson, and the trust that evolved because of this professional service. This past year he served as the Investment Deputy for the State Treasurer.

The latest round of funding through the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act includes more than $3 million for projects to help reduce wildfire risk in Lake Tahoe communities.

Join Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery, LLC on Saturday, Feb. 13 as we focus on northern Nevada jewelry designers. Denise Jenkins, Angie Fluitt, Mauzey Jewelry, and Kathleen Hallamore are just some of the jewelers presenting their one-of-a-kind and signed jewelry.

The day will consist of sparkling wines, as well as some reds, paired with locally made and hand rolled truffles, by Carson City Confections.

Great timing to find that perfect gift for Valentines Day.

Shop locally and support your local economy, while supporting "Your Local Art Gallery."

Improving transportation options for bicyclists and pedestrians is one of the most effective strategies to conserve and restore Lake Tahoe’s environment, revitalize the economy, enhance recreation opportunities, and improve public health, according to Tahoe Regional Planning Agency officials.

The New Year is getting off to a phenomenal start with snow falling at Lake Tahoe. It seems long ago since we’ve had snow around the lake, but as California and Nevada continue to grapple with four years of drought and water shortages, the snow couldn’t be falling at a better time.

Carson City Ward 2 Supervisor Brad Bonkowski will hold his first “Breakfast with Brad” of 2016 on Friday, Jan. 8, from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Cracker Box restaurant. All Carson City residents are invited to join Bonkowski for coffee and conversation.

The monthly tradition continues with the Downtown Business Association wine walk. Saturday, Jan. 2, the festivities begin at 1 p.m. This event happens rain, snow, or shine, so bundle up and head out to celebrate a new year with your friends and neighbors.

This week's It's Your City with Cortney Bloomer features guest Miya MacKenzie, chief professional officer with the Hop & Mae Adams Foundation in Carson City.