Industry Spotlight
EDAWN Announces New Development Manager
The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) has announced the promotion of Donna Crooks to senior business development manager. In her new position, Crooks will assist with EDAWN's outbound recruitment efforts to attract high yield companies that bring high paying, skilled jobs and opportunities to the Greater Reno-Tahoe region.
Crooks and EDAWN's director of business development will drive this outbound sales initiative targeting companies outside the area that fall within the six key business sectors as well as other industries that have the greatest growth potential for the region, according to the Target 2010 economic planning study. Among the target industries are: advanced manufacturing, advanced logistics, business and financial services, clean energy, life sciences and software.
"Donna has been a key member of our business development team for the past four years and her client service and knowledge of what prospective companies are looking for is well respected in the industry," says Chuck Alvey, president and CEO of EDAWN. "She will be an asset as we go out of market to recruit companies and promote Reno-Tahoe's competitive business advantages."
Crooks joined EDAWN in 2004. In her prior position as business development manager, she assisted companies considering relocating or expanding in Greater Reno-Tahoe. Previously, she managed the Business Builders program, EDAWN's business retention and expansion division.
Crestron Debuts New Experience Center
Las Vegas is now home to the new Crestron Experience Center. Located in the heart of the city, just two blocks from the world-famous "strip" on Howard Hughes Parkway, the Crestron Las Vegas Experience Center is as big, elaborate and exciting as the city it's designed to serve.
Crestron was first in its industry to commit to the Las Vegas market when it opened an office there two years ago. More than three-quarters of the luxury homes built feature Crestron home automation, and nearly every hotel, casino and resort in Las Vegas, including the MGM Grand, Venetian, Wynn and new CityCenter, has standardized on Crestron to manage and control VIP suites, boardrooms, gaming rooms and operation centers. The new 5,000 square-foot facility, expands the Crestron-Las Vegas organization and deepens its long-term commitment to the local market.
"Despite an increasingly competitive marketplace, challenging economy and rising costs, we continue to grow-creating jobs and helping fuel the economy," says Randy Klein, executive vice president of Crestron Electronics. "Our business is strong and the future looks brighter than ever."
The new expanded Experience Center provides a modern, comfortable setting for dealers and customers to see the full line of Crestron products on display and immerse themselves in the ultimate Crestron environment and lifestyle. Proof of concept venues, such as a guest room, hospitality suite and boardroom, showcase Crestron luxury and convenience.
Howard Leight Addresses Earplugs
A new poster from Howard Leight details the care and maintenance of earplugs and earmuffs. Designed for placement on worksite bulletin boards or in other high-traffic areas, the colorful poster provides clear instructions for each type of hearing protection device.
"Questions from workers about the care and maintenance of hearing protectors are very common at seminars and training sessions, as well as during daily use," says Renee S. Bessette, marketing manager for Howard Leight. "This poster not only provides answers in a clear, concise fashion, but the poster itself serves as a reminder to wear hearing protection on the job-and wear them properly."
Four colored panels discuss care of single-use earplugs, multiple-use earplugs, banded earplugs and earmuffs. Information includes instructions for inspection prior to use, cleaning and duration of wear before replacement is recommended. For example, single-use earplugs should be discarded after every shift, while multiple-use earplugs can be washed with soap and warm water and reused for two to four weeks. Earmuffs can last indefinitely, but ear cups and ear cushions must be washed regularly with mild soap and water, and replaced every six to eight months under normal wear.
Metrostudy Releases Las Vegas Study
Metrostudy has released a study noting that the existing home market is key to the recovery of the housing market in Las Vegas. Metrostudy also noted that sales in the resale market have picked up, leading to an overall inventory decline in the Greater Las Vegas resale market. According to the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, there were 28,193 homes listed on the Multiple Listing System (MLS) at the end of September 2008. This compares to 30,387 listings in September 2007.
Real Estate Owned (REO) sales have been fueling sales increases, as it is estimated that these sales make up 50 to 60 percent of all resale volume, which is driving home prices down. In the 12 months ending in September 2008, the median sales price of newly listed attached resale homes in Las Vegas dropped 31 percent to $144,900 and the median price of a resale detached home dropped 32.4 percent to $219,000.
"Even with strong sales activity in the resale market, conditions remain highly competitive," says Josh Seime, director of Metrostudy's Las Vegas division. "Ongoing foreclosure activity has a two-fold effect on the housing market: It fuels strong sales activity and keeps inventory levels high, putting downward pressure on prices. Deep price discounts in the resale market have been a competitive force for the new-home industry. Even though current sales trends are robust within the resale market, the high volume of REO properties expected to enter the market in 2008 will keep the resale market the key driver of the overall Las Vegas housing market for 2008 and into 2009."
