Nevada Briefs - June 2003

Nevada Briefs

Intrawest Corporation Establishes Reno Headquarters

Intrawest Corporation, a leading developer and operator of village-centered resorts across North America, has announced the establishment of a southwestern head office to be located in Reno. Intrawest recently signed a five-year lease for office space at Magnolia Village, beginning July 2003. The company, which is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, has 17 resorts under development or in operation in the United States, Canada and Europe. The Reno regional office will serve Intrawest’s interests throughout the Southwest and will oversee projects including: The Village at Squaw Valley; Project Sierra in Mammoth Lakes, Calif; MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas; The Village at Solitude in Utah, and any future projects in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. The office will serve as the home base for 50 to 60 top executives in the areas of planning, development, construction, sales and marketing.

Governor Announces Nevada Patriot Fund

Gov. Kenny Guinn has announced the creation of a fund to support the families of Lance Cpl. Donald John Cline from Sparks and 2nd Lt. Fred Pokorney from Tonopah, who were killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition to the families of Cline and Pokorney, the fund will help other Nevada families who have a family member who dies or suffers a permanent disability as a result of their service in military action. Early corporate contributions came from American Nevada Corp., Harrah’s, Jones Vargas, McDonald Carano Wilson, Newmont Mining Corp., SBC Communications, Sierra Pacific Power Co., Station Casinos and Wells Fargo Bank. Those wishing to contribute a tax-free donation should make checks out to the Nevada Patriot Fund, Account No. 6655843909, Wells Fargo Bank, 5340 Kietzke Lane, Reno, NV 89508.

NCOT Reaches Out to Asia

The Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT) is launching tourism-building missions to Japan and China this spring and summer to increase Nevada’s share of Far East travel markets. NCOT Executive Director Bruce Bommarito met in April in Tokyo with Commerce Secretary Donald Evans and members of an international working group committed to stimulating tourism between the U.S. and Japan. Bommarito also signed a no-cost agreement with HiGreen Investment & Management Co. Ltd. in China to represent Nevada’s tourism interests in 29 provinces and cities in the People’s Republic of China. HiGreen will identify potential tourism business and sources in China, refer inquiries to NCOT and supply logistical, support and other services. NCOT will provide HiGreen with materials, including a Chinese-language video to assist in promoting Nevada’s visitor attractions, scenic wonders and activities.

North Las Vegas Honors Businesses

The North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce recognized members John Wilson, executive partner of Southwest Ambulance; LaaRee Drawantz, owner of Sun Valley Imaging & Technologies; Jacquelin Risner, community development director of the city of North Las Vegas; and ATC Las Vegas at its third annual Business Recognition Luncheon. John Wilson co-founded Southwest Ambulance in 1999, and the company has grown from 32 employees to 150 full- and part-time EMTs and paramedics. LaaRee Drawantz was honored in the Small Business Category. She founded Sun Valley Imaging & Technologies in 2000 with two employees, and now employs 14 people. The business provides microfilm of hardcopy and computer documents for companies that need economical storage of documents for long periods. Jacquelin Risner is responsible for economic development, redevelopment neighborhood services and code enforcement for the city of North Las Vegas, and helped negotiate the release of 1,900 acres by the Bureau of Land Management, which is now being developed as Aliante. ATC Las Vegas, operator of the Citizens Area Transit fixed-route bus services, was honored as this year’s Company of the Year. ATC has operated transportation services in the Valley for the past 10 years, has an annual operating budget of $55 million and employs 1,100 people.

RENO/TAHOE AIRPORT COMPLETES REMODEL

Reno/Tahoe International Airport has completed the final phase of a $3.5 million remodel of its concessions and terminal building. The airport’s three-phased project included a remodel of the terminal concourse food and beverage concessions, followed by the food court concessions and finally a retail store renovation, which included a new store called Explore! Reno/Tahoe, dedicated exclusively to the region’s special events. Explore! was developed by The Paradies Shops, a nationally known airport retailer with more than 40 years experience. Explore! Reno/Tahoe features signature Northern Nevada special events, including the Reno Rodeo, Hot August Nights, Great Reno Balloon Races and the Reno Championship Air Races, as well as the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitor’s Authority’s "America's Adventure Place" marketing campaign. Said Krys T. Bart, executive director of the Airport Authority of Washoe County, "We want to provide visitors with a real flavor for the region and all that it offers. Explore! Reno/Tahoe brings our region’s nationally renowned events alive year-round and will entice visitors to return to Reno/Tahoe."

Gas Transmission Line Completed

Kern River Gas Transmission Company recently celebrated the completion of a $1.2 billion expansion of its interstate natural gas pipeline system, which will double the amount of natural gas transported on the pipeline to customers in Utah, California and Nevada. The project consisted of 717 miles of loop pipeline adjacent to the existing pipeline system and 163,7000 horsepower of compression at three new and six existing compressor stations, as well as modifications to five existing meter stations. The new facilities will directly serve nearly 6,500 megawatts of new electric generation. Kern River Gas Transmission Company is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has district offices in Evanston, Wy., Fillmore, Utah and Las Vegas. It operates a 926-mile interstate natural gas pipeline between southwestern Wyoming and Southern California. Its Dry Lake Compressor Station is located about 45 miles north of Las Vegas.