A Business-Friendly Climate

Las Vegas continues to garner national recognition for having the most dynamic business climate in the nation. The city maintains one of the hottest employment markets in the U.S. More than 80,000 jobs were created statewide last year and 63,000 of them were
in Las Vegas. Every economic indicator for Southern Nevada has shown consistent
double-digit growth.

We are excited about the growth, redevelopment and economic diversification of the Downtown area. The City of Las Vegas and the Chamber of Commerce have been very helpful and receptive in bringing affordable business developments and high-rise projects to the Downtown Las Vegas Cultural Corridor.

—Eric Radovich
NWRMG - Cielo Vista, LLC
According to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR), Nevada’s economy continues to produce thousands of new jobs each month. Employment increased by six percent during 2005, more than four times the national average. DETR expects this trend to continue with an anticipated 50,000 new jobs coming online in 2006

In addition to its thriving business base, Southern Nevada gains accolades for its diversifying economy and attention to quality of life issues. Though still a thriving tourist destination, the city is becoming recognized for other things.

The Nevada legislature earmarked $10 million for state economic development during fiscal years 2005-2007. The funds will be divided between the Nevada Development Authority (NDA), the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada and rural agencies with the NDA receiving the lion’s share at $5.5 million.

Las Vegas is now home to more than
a dozen hospitals and major medical centers, more than 300 public schools and countless beautiful new home communities that offer residents a variety of lifestyle choices. The area’s arts community is beginning to thrive and the city is breaking ground as a retail hub in the form of the expanding World Market Center. High-tech companies are also finding opportunities for growth and expansion as the valley’s Cheyenne Technology Corridor continues to develop its offerings.

Southern Nevada’s financial services industry is growing as well. Banks continue to form and open branches. North Las Vegas became home to its first chartered bank in 2005. Both commercial and residential real estate continue to boom despite the challenges presented by limited land availability and the rising cost of construction materials. Homebuilders Research anticipates 34,000 new home sales in Southern Nevada during 2006.

Southern Nevada continues to attract between 5,000-7,000 new residents each month, maintaining its title as the fastest-growing region in the country. In addition to this explosive population influx, more than 12,000 children are born in the Las Vegas area each year.

While there are always challenges associated with rapid growth, visionary business, government and community leaders are taking a proactive role in addressing the needs of local residents and business owners. From looking at critical infrastructure and healthcare needs to addressing the necessity for improving the local educational system to ensure a trained and qualified future workforce, Las Vegas remains a city on the move. With the support of progressive business and community leaders, Las Vegas is poised to remain on the fast track well into 2006 and beyond.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

In the last two-weeks of December 2005, 288 new businesses opened and 2,194 new residents moved to Las Vegas. The explosive growth in our valley creates a sometimes overwhelming opportunity pool for many organizations. Our business and consumer climate transforms so rapidly that business owners must continually locate and reach out to an ever-changing target audience.

— Tom DeFloria
General Manager infoUSA

While Southern Nevada’s economic engine is running at full-force, business and economic development executives are giving greater focus to other aspects necessary to the creation and maintenance of a strong local economy: economic diversification and workforce development.

While gaming and hospitality continue to be Southern Nevada’s leading industries, the Nevada Development Authority (NDA) has taken a focus on attracting a wide variety of new companies to the area. Continuing to diversity the city’s economy will help it maintain a position of strength that is not reliant on one single industry.

The ongoing efforts of the NDA in encouraging the growth and diversification of Southern Nevada’s economy have produced outstanding results. During 2005, Southern Nevada became home to several new businesses within diverse industries and gained national top rankings for its business climate. During the last quarter of 2005, the NDA reported 643 new jobs were created with an average wage of $21.17 per hour, resulting in an annual payroll of $27.9 million, a one-year economic impact of $122.6 million and a five-year economic impact of $615.5 million. In a five-year period, the new jobs will create local tax revenue of $21 million and state tax revenue of $8 million.

According to the NDA, Nevada was recently named one of the top five places to do business in a “Best States for Business” survey conducted by Development Counselors International. The 2005 survey polled 207 senior-level U.S. corporate executives and the site selection consultants who advise them on matters of expansion and relocation.

NDA concentrates on site selection to ensure the creation of mutually-beneficial relationships between new and relocating businesses and Southern Nevada’s economic needs. The NDA continues to focus heavy recruitment efforts on California businesses while fostering the relocation and maintenance of businesses to the valley. NDA has also played an instrumental role in enticing high-tech businesses to the area, most notably with the attraction of CDW and Solargenix Energy, LLC.

As part of its on-going efforts to diversify the economy’s business base, NDA has encouraged and supported businesses in the medical, high-tech, distribution and manufacturing industries. International Truck & Engine Corp., Advanced Medical Imaging and Genetics, S&A Manufacturing Inc. and Hydrogen Solar are just a few of the economically diverse businesses that have opted to be part of Southern Nevada’s dynamic business climate in 2005.

Outside the city of Las Vegas, adjacent communities are also working to strengthen and diversify their local economies. The city of North Las Vegas’ Visioning 2025 long-term strategic plan is helmed by a steering committee of local business and community leaders committed to ensuring the health and prosperity of this growing city in nine key areas: planning and land use; transportation; water and air quality; infrastructure; public safety; park and community amenities; education; economic development/redevelopment; and tax policy. North Las Vegas also touts its federal incentives, including an Enterprise Community designation, an Immigrant Investor pilot program and a labor surplus designation. The city is home to the Cheyenne Technology Corridor, one of the emerging tech hot spots in the valley.

Henderson’s economy continues to thrive as well. In 2005 more than 20 new companies opened for business, bringing in more than 1,200 new jobs and infusing more than $170 million into the local economy. Henderson takes pride in its “hand on” approach to attracting new business, making it a practice to target industries officials believe would be good economic “matches” for the city.

TECHNOLOGY

We're excited to become a part of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce community. It's vital for the growth of business in the valley to have as many members networking as possible. With increasing competition from outside Nevada, the internet will become absolutely essential to Las Vegas over the next five years.

—David Cooper
President,
Interactive Media Communications

Las Vegas is starting to come into its own on the technology front. The ongoing evolution of North Las Vegas’ Cheyenne Technology Corridor (CTC) has resulted in the attraction of a significant number of technology-related businesses. Some of the amenities that make the CTC a hub for tech businesses include fiber optic cable; transportation solutions via the easily-accessed I-15, US 95 and the northern portion of I-215; and mutually beneficial partnerships with Community College of Southern Nevada and the North Las Vegas Airport.

According to the Nevada Development Authority (NDA), Southern Nevada has the infrastructure and technology necessary to conduct efficient operations, noting that Las Vegas was the first major western metropolitan city with an all digital-switching network connected via fiber optic cable. Las Vegas also serves as the express mail hub for 11 western states and is home to a fast-growing technology-literate workforce. The Las Vegas valley has unique telecommunications infrastructure capabilities rivaling several of the nation’s 14 national access points. The city ranks 15th on the Net National Backbone of Tier-1 networks and 6th on the Metro Backbones.

High-tech development on the horizon includes an advanced $50 million biomedical center for Nevada Cancer Institute and the application of high-tech methods to counterterrorism, conducted through the Desert Research Institute and the UNLV Institute for Security Studies (ISS). Applied technology, online security and domestic preparedness are among ISS’ areas of interest. The institute, which was established in 2003, combines the university’s research and educational resources with those of government and private enterprises.

Founded in February of 2000, The Technology Business Alliance of Nevada (TBAN) is the state’s largest trade association representing the high-tech industry. TBAN’s mission is to assist in the diversification of Nevada’s economy by proactively developing four key components of a high-tech economy in Southern Nevada. TBAN notes that Nevada ranks number five in the country in terms of growth in high-tech jobs.

Some of the services provided by
TBAN include:

Capital Resources – In order to attract and retain the high-growth companies of tomorrow, TBAN works to attract a multi-faceted capital network of venture capitalists, angel investors (The Vegas Valley Angels) and traditional financing institutions that fuel technology innovation.

Education – TBAN promotes and produces monthly programs geared toward educating the business community and those working directly in the high-tech industry on the issues and events surrounding technology. In addition, TBAN is the only state group that follows legislative affairs concerning the industry in Nevada and testifies during the legislature on issues affecting high-tech businesses.

Community – TBAN holds networking events, luncheons and an annual industry awards show to further facilitate the networking and sharing of ideas among tech professionals in the region.

Infrastructure – TBAN works with service providers and local businesses to ensure that the region has the necessary physical infrastructure to support high-tech business growth. With the necessary infrastructure in place, Southern Nevada is expected to grow as a technology base in 2006 and beyond. Industry leaders anticipate the CTC being home to between three and four million square feet of tech-related business in the next several years.

LEADING INDUSTRIES

Obviously, gaming and tourism play a major role in the economy. However, we are now seeing a growth in other industries such as healthcare, business services, and construction and are starting to see a need for a more educated workforce with more honed skills, such as computing and software.

—Nicole Cavrich,
Staffing Manager, OfficeTeam

Gaming, tourism and hospitality remain economic leaders in Southern Nevada. However, real estate, retail sales, construction and health/medical industries are quickly gaining ground in terms of establishing a serious presence in the local business community.

Gaming/Hospitality/Tourism
An Industrial Diversity Index complied by Applied Analysis & Urban Environmental Research, LLC indicates that of Clark County’s 872,300 jobs, 266,500 are in leisure & hospitality. Nevada's gaming revenue was up 9.6 percent in 2005 as compared to 2004.

Gaming and tourism continue to lead the way as the number one industries in Southern Nevada. Standard & Poor's estimates Las Vegas will generate the highest casino revenue growth of any major casino market in the United States in 2006 with an anticipated growth rate of 11 percent.

Construction
The construction industry continues to flourish with expectations remaining for continued growth in 2006. Applied Analysis & Urban Environmental Research, LLC notes that more than 103,000 jobs in Southern Nevada are construction-related. Companies in Nevada created 16,200 new construction-related jobs between September 2004 and September 2005, up 12.9 percent. In Las Vegas construction companies created 13,600 new jobs during that same time period.

On the commercial development side, Grubb & Ellis reports peripheral suburban markets are starting to develop at a faster rate than traditional grocery-centered anchors. Several regional power centers are set to open in 2006. Hot spots of retail development include areas along the I-215 Beltway in the southwest and the far north markets and along the south end of the Strip.

A strong emphasis today is on mixed-use projects and the “new urbanization” and “Manhattanization” of the in the Las Vegas Valley. More than 35,000 condo projects and 8,000 condo/hotel units are currently under construction.

The term “sustainability” is also gaining significance within the local architectural and construction communities. Many industry professionals are buying into the agenda of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which works to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.

During 2006, land availability, land price and material costs are anticipated to be key issues that will impact both the amount of and rate of new construction and development in the Las Vegas valley.

Retail
There’s a saying that “retail follows rooftops,” an idiom that is most certainly accurate in describing Las Vegas’ retail market. In addition to numerous powers centers and malls in the works, nearly every major planned condo development includes a mixed-use element of office space, retail shopping and entertainment. Las Vegas is gaining national attention as a retail hub. The introduction of the World Market Center Complex helped cement the area as a retail destination. The center caters to the furniture and design industry with bi-annual trade shows and with a design center open year-round to industry professionals. The 1.2 million square foot main building includes 340,000 square feet of pavilion space. A second structure, a 1.6 million 16-story facility is under construction and is anticipated to open in early 2007. A third ,1.5 million square foot building will open in 2008. When complete the center will include eight buildings totaling more than 12 million square feet.

The Great Mall of Las Vegas, slated for development in the northwest part of the valley at US 95 and I-215 for sometime in 2008, is a plan being compared to Minneapolis’ Mall of America. It could easily become a reality, as both properties are under the development umbrella of Triple Five Nevada. The proposed plan would have 1.5 million square feet of retail space and could include mixed-use products, such as office space and condominiums.

As southwest Las Vegas continues to develop as a residential hot spot, industry experts anticipate retail quickly coming in to meet demand. Olympia Group, developer of the master-planned Southern Highlands community, is investigating the possibility of building an open-air retail center in the one million square foot range.

General Growth Property’s Summerlin Centre at I-215 and Sahara Avenue is still on the drawing board, although plans have been slow in development. This regional open-air mall would span one million square feet and would include a pedestrian promenade.

Summerlin’s Town Center (located at I-15 and I-215) and Town Square (located on South Las Vegas Boulevard) are also anticipated as future retail leaders. Town Square is a mixed-use 1.7 million square foot project slated to open in mid-2007.

North Las Vegas is also stepping up retail development. Nelson Ventures and the Mendenhall Family Trust is investigating development of a mixed-use retail center project at Craig Road and N. 5th St. Northview is another open-air project being planned by Blizzard Asset Management at Centennial Parkway and Losee Road. The project is expected to be in the works through 2009.

Real Estate
Both commercial and residential real estate has seen explosive growth during the last two years. The dwindling availability of buildable land has resulted in skyrocketing land sales through Bureau of Land Management (BLM) auctions. The result: increased housing prices and soaring construction costs and commercial rent pricing. Valley leaders are currently addressing workforce housing issues in an effort to ensure housing remains attainable for the average Las Vegan.

Experts continue to debate whether a “bubble” exists on the residential or commercial fronts. From a commercial perspective, a 2005 Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Brokerage Company National Retail Report ranked Las Vegas No. 12 among the country's top 41 retail markets for 2005. Applied Analysis indicates the average office lease rate at the end of 2005 was nearly $2.00 per square foot, a slight increase over 2004. The office market is expected to continue expanding, particularly as more mixed-use products come into
the market.

On the residential front, median home sales prices climbed into the low $300s toward the end of 2005 with experts anticipating a slow-down, but not halt to appreciating home values. In 2005 Las Vegas was ranked number one in the nation in terms of real estate appreciation with a 36 percent average appreciation rate and a five-year average appreciation greater than 84 percent.

Medical/Health (see Medical Advancements)
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE
City planners and transportation officials in the fastest growing area of the country are continually challenged with meeting the ongoing transportation and infrastructure needs of its burgeoning population. A number of transportation projects will be in the planning or construction phase throughout 2006.

McCarran International Airport
McCarran International Airport handled 37,127,083 passengers from January 2005 – October 2005, an increase of 6.9 percent over the preceding year. The airport estimates that nearly 50 percent of all visitors to Southern Nevada travel through McCarran. Every new hotel room built translates to an increase of 330 passengers annually.

With an anticipated maximum capacity for 53 million passengers, and as a vital cog in the tourism machinery that drives the local economy, McCarran is continually improving airport facilities and studying options for handling a continued growth in passenger count.

In addition to McCarran, there are five general aviation airports operated by the Clark County Department of Aviation (CCDOA): North Las Vegas Airport, Henderson Executive Airport, Jean Sport Aviation Center, Overton Municipal Airport and Searchlight. The CCDOA is preparing to develop a second international airport in Southern Nevada on approximately 6,000 acres of land south of Las Vegas in Ivanpah Valley. Official say the site has available airspace, good terrain and topography, surrounding land use compatibility and surface access from I-15, SR-604 and the Union Pacific Railroad, making it a vital hub for passenger and commercial air traffic.

Other Department of Aviation projects in the works:
• Development of a consolidated rent-a- car center with an estimated opening of mid-2006.
• Expansion of D Gates and northeast wing building expansion to create additional gate capacity for the facility. The project includes additional ramp for aircraft movement and 10 new gates. Estimated completion is slated for 2008.
• Development of Terminal 3 - a new terminal for scheduled carriers which will include baggage claim, ticketing and parking facilities. Estimated opening date is mid-2010.
• Construction of taxiways and running utilities as part of a plan to support private hangar development at Henderson Executive Airport. A new terminal and air traffic control tower will also become necessary to serve the updated facility and accommodate anticipated tenants.

Current and Future Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) Projects in Southern Nevada The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) has more than $1 billion worth of highway projects planned over the next three years. One of its key projects is the redesign of the “Spaghetti Bowl” interchange to reduce congestion and improve overall traffic flow. With construction slated to begin in late 2008, the project carries an estimated price tag of $543 million.

Other proposed projects include:
• Widening I-515 from six to 10 lanes from I-15 to I-215
• Adding auxiliary lanes from I-215 to Horizon Drive
• Creating new interchanges at F Street, Pecos Road and Sahara Avenue

Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC)
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is working to transform the image of public transportation with one of the country's premiere rapid transit projects: Southern Nevada's Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) system. A hybrid between bus and rail systems, MAX has many features of rail service with the cost and flexibility of a bus, making it an effective transportation solution. The MAX project is a National Demonstration Project by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). It uses the latest technology to provide a high-quality, state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly transit alternative at a fraction of the cost of rail service.

Regional Fixed Guideway System
The RTC is enlisting the help of a steering committee to study a proposed Regional Fixed Guideway (RFG) system, a 33-mile high-capacity mass transit system that would potentially link Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas with the Resort Corridor. The Regional Fixed Guideway Steering Committee was formed in September 2004 and is made up of community members representing diverse stakeholder groups.

Citizens Area Transit
(CAT) consists of 49 routes served by 305 buses, carrying close to 150,000 passengers every day in the greater Las Vegas Valley.

Las Vegas Monorail
Clark County is conducting a feasibility study to examine the extension of the Las Vegas Monorail to McCarran International Airport. The $650 million Monorail is currently four miles long and runs along the east side of Las Vegas Boulevard. Officials are also considering expansion to the west side of the Strip. Such improvements are estimated to carry a price tag of between $100-800 million.

A SKILLED & DIVERSE LOCAL WORKFORCE

Savvy business people continue to expand into the Las Vegas area because of the competitively-priced products and services the market provides to meet their workers’ compensation needs. Unlike many states still struggling with high rates, Nevada’s competitive workers’ compensation environment offers employers the coverage they need at premiums they can afford.

—Douglas D. Dirks
President & Chief Executive Officer, Employers Insurance Group

While the gaming and hospitality industries continues to employ more Southern Nevadans than any other industries in the state, continued diversification efforts are attracting higher-skilled, higher wage jobs to the area.

According to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR), Southern Nevada continues to enjoy low unemployment, high job growth and a stable economy. Year-end 2005 statistics touted low statewide unemployment at 4.1 percent and over-the-year job growth at 6.0 percent.

Service Producing Industries:
Leisure & Hospitality reports 16,500 new jobs (Arts, Entertainment and Recreation, Accommodations, Casino Hotels and Gaming and Food Services and Drinking Places)

Professional & Business Services
reports 13,600 new jobs (Professional, Scientific and Technical, Management of Companies, Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Employment Services)

Trade, Transportation and Utilities reports 8,400 new jobs (Wholesale and Retail Trade, Utilities, Transportation and Warehousing, including Trucking, Taxi and Limousine and Air Transportation)

Education & Health Services reports 5,100 new jobs (Educational Services, Health Care and Social Assistance and Hospitals)

Financial Activities reports 4,500 new jobs (Finance and Insurance, Real Estate and Rental Leasing and Credit Intermediation)

Government reports 4,300 new jobs
(Federal, State and Local)

Other Services reports 2,600 new jobs
(Repair and Maintenance and Personal and Laundry Services)
Goods Producing Industries:
Construction reports 14,500 new jobs

Manufacturing reports 1,500 new jobs
(Durable and Non-Durable Goods, Computer and Electronic Products, other miscellaneous Manufacturing including Slot Machine Manufacturing)

Natural Resources & Mining reports
700 new jobs

Source: Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (October 2005)

Fastest Growing Occupations in Southern Nevada:
Fitness trainers and aerobics
instructors: 6.2%
Personal financial advisors: 6.1%
Coil winders, tapers and finishers: 6.0%

Fastest growing Industries:
Motor vehicle parts manufacturing: 6.7%
Architectural and structural metals: 6.0%
Non-depository credit intermediation: 5.9%
MEDICAL ADVANCEMENTS

It has been rewarding to observe the response from throughout the community to the creation of an academic and research-based organization that is committed to the mission of preventing, detecting, caring and curing cancer. Employees benefit from the healthy lifestyle offered by the climate in the Las Vegas Valley, the diversity of services, the overall low stress environment and the “can do” attitude that is universally found throughout the region. These factors, and others, separate Las Vegas and Nevada from other, cities, regions
and states.
—Clark P. Dumont,
APR, Vice President,
Communications and Public Affairs, Nevada Cancer Institute

Only a few short years ago, it was not unheard of for Las Vegas residents to travel to California for top-notch medical care. Today the area’s 14 hospitals and major medical facilities offer leading-edge technology and some of the finest physicians and medical personnel in the nation. Southern Nevada’s fast-paced growth has spurred the construction of several new hospitals in quick succession. That new construction has afforded health care centers with the opportunity to incorporate the latest technology into their facilities.

The non-profit Nevada Cancer Institute (NCI) has solidified Las Vegas’ place as a leader in the high-tech medical arena. The $52 million, 140,000-square foot center offers state-of-the-art comprehensive cancer research, education and treatment to all patients, regardless of economic standing. NCI is the state’s first federally-funded and recognized cancer center, located on five acres near Town Center Drive and the I-215 Beltway. The facility houses research labs, outpatient clinical investigation and patient services. The center also features a library, auditorium, counseling and supportive care offices.

Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center is home to the Nevada Neurosciences Institute, a Renal Transplant Center, Sleep Disorder Center, Gamma Knife Center, Breast Center and Intraoperative MRI procedures - the only ones of their kind in Southern Nevada. Sunrise Children's Hospital has developed world-class programs in a number of pediatric subspecialties and women's care services.

The University of Nevada School of Medicine recently earned approval for its post-graduate residency in surgical critical care from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for three years, retroactive to 2004. The fellowship, which partners with University Medical Center, will bring top surgeons from across the country to Las Vegas where they will specialize in critical care surgery. Summerlin Hospital Medical Center recently became home to a new Cardiac Care Program that utilizes advanced
cardiac equipment. The facility can now offer diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization procedures, coronary artery bypass surgery and heart valve surgery. The hospital will also be able to provide non-cardiac procedures, including surgery for thoracic and abdominal aneurysms, lung surgery, carotid artery surgery and leg bypass procedures.

Another medical initiative being heavily promoted is development of a multi-million dollar Academic Medical Center near the Spaghetti Bowl at the confluence of US 95 and I-215. Such a facility would be used for clinical and laboratory research as well as patient care and would serve as a teaching environment for medical specialties and research.

EDUCATION

Attracting teachers from across the U.S. to Southern Nevada is certainly a large task for our rapidly growing community. However, our community and business leaders are increasingly successful in recruiting teachers by also assisting in job placement for teacher’s families. There are so many career opportunities here, and the living environment is great, it’s hard not
to want to live here.
—Doug Geinzer,
Recruiting Nevada & We Care chairman

Southern Nevada’ academic reputation is continuing to improve with the recent introduction of several new institutes of higher learning. Significant steps are being taken by the local business sectors to encourage strong workforce development in primary learning environments. A number of collaborative relationships are laying the groundwork for continued advancement.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has added more than 100 academic programs to its roster during the past 10 years. Three specialty programs at UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law recently garnered national acclaim from U.S. News & World Report: The Lawyering Process Program, Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution and the T&M Legal Clinic all received honors. The law school will have its own “moot court” in late 2006, thanks to a $3 million commitment from Joyce Mack and the Thomas family.
The university recently launched a $500 million capital initiative to fund future expansion efforts. A new 640-acre campus is in the works. The proposed new facility - which would be located north of the Las Vegas Beltway between Pecos Road and Lamb Boulevard—would be double the size of the existing main campus and would be a joint venture with the Community College of Southern Nevada and Nevada State College. In addition to offering associate, bachelor and graduate degree programs, the new campus would also be home to
a teaching center.
Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN)
The Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN) serves a diverse population in Southern Nevada through five educational areas: occupational training, university transfer preparation, continuing education, developmental education and counseling and guidance. CCSN is a fully accredited member of the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and is part of the University and Community College System of Nevada.

At present, CCSN is suffering growing pains, turning away thousands of students each month due to lack of available space. A $25 million general purpose classroom building planned for the Charleston campus is expected to provide relief. CCSN is also building on its established Cheyenne campus with the addition of a $22 million automotive
technology center.
Other educational institutions include:

Nevada State College
Nevada State College offers the area’s largest nursing and education training programs, two professions in high demand in Las Vegas. The college is looking to move from its current location to a 500-plus acre site in Henderson. The college also expects to expand to several branch campuses during the next 10-15 years.

Las Vegas College
Las Vegas college offers a variety of associate degree programs as well as career-oriented degree programs.

National University
This non-profit, independent university provides an intensive one-course-per-month format and online degree programs aimed at working adults. Advanced degree programs are available.

Regis University
Regis offers bachelors and masters degree programs through accelerated and online classes. Programs are aimed at working adults.
Sierra Nevada College
Sierra Nevada College is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and offers a master of arts in education.

Touro University College of Medicine
Touro University provides educational programs in the fields of healthcare and education. A number of degree programs are offered.

University of Phoenix
An adult-centered institution, University of Phoenix offers bachelors and masters degrees in a variety of business/management fields. Programs are aimed at working adults.

University of Southern Nevada
This non-profit independent institution offers an MBA degree and degree programs in pharmacy.

The Art Institute of Las Vegas
Founded locally in 1983, The Art Institute of Las Vegas features post-secondary education programs in the creative and applied arts and offers a number of degree programs.

DeVry University
DeVry offers career-oriented associate, bachelors and masters degrees in technology, business and management.

Clark County School District:
The Clark County School District (CCSD) is the fifth largest school district in the nation. As such, the district faces significant challenges in keeping pace with growth. At issue: overcrowded classrooms and a shortage of qualified teachers. More than a dozen new schools have been built each year for the past several years. A 1998 CCSD capital improvement program provided $3.5 billion for school construction and modernization over a 10-year period. Thirty-five projects are currently on the drawing board for 2006-2008 completion.
The CCSD offers a wide variety of specialized programs to meet the needs of all students. These include:

Magnet schools and programs:
The district offers 17 magnet schools with emphasis on aerospace and aviation, communications, fine and performing arts, languages, law and leadership, travel & tourism, math, and technology.

Special education:
Both direct and support services are made available to students with disabilities, ages 3-21.

Accelerated and honors programs:
A "Gifted and Talented" education program is offered in grades 3-5. Every high school offers both honors programs and advanced placement opportunities.

Business/community involvement:
Citizens and business executives have a number of opportunities to become involved with the Clark County
School District:
* The School-Community Partnership Program, which facilitates community-enhancing programs and activities for students with the help of local business and public/private groups.

* The Clark County Public Education Foundation, an independent, non-profit corporation dedicated to raising funds to improve local schools.

* The Career and Technical Education Department, which helps students achieve career goals with the assis-tance of local employers who provide job shadowing, mock interviews, paid work and internship experiences.

* WE CARE, a collaborative effort of the CCSD and Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce that recruits the assistance of local executives in encouraging top-notch educators to Southern Nevada.

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