Week of July 29

Drones, EAANN, Golden Gate and more

DRONES

The Small Unmanned Aircraft Rule (Part 107), released on June 21 by the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took effect on August 29. It sets up the standard parameters to operate small, commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), or drones.

UNEMPLOYMENT

Initial claims for unemployment insurance totaled 11,144 in June, down more than 15 percent from June 2015, but up over the month.

In June, the state’s metro areas experienced slight increases in unemployment, but the rates are down over the year. Las Vegas rose to 6.9 percent, while Reno/Sparks increased slightly to 5.9 percent. Carson City saw a slight uptick to 6.9 percent.

NEVADA VINES AND WINES

Nevada Vines and Wines announced their fourth annual Backyard Vineyard Tour fundraiser on Sunday, August 7, 2016 celebrating some of Northern Nevada’s local backyard vineyards. This year’s self-tour will feature approximately 10 grape vineyards across the Reno and Sparks area showcasing the fruits of some of the areas most dedicated wine enthusiasts. To learn more visit www.nvandw.com.

EMPLOYER SUPPORT OF THE GUARD AND RESERVE

Reno-Sparks employers took to the skies July 15 for a close-up view of what their employees do while serving in the Nevada Air National Guard. About 40 local business owners and managers boarded two of the Air Guard’s C-130 Hercules aircraft for a “Boss Lift” over Lake Tahoe.

NEW ENTREPRENEUR NETWORK

On July 25th and 27th, 2016, the New Entrepreneurs Network unleashed a team of student consultants to help local companies create solutions for their business challenges. A highlight of the organization’s Get A Glimpse summer program, a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada, The Student Consulting Project is the fifth in a series of six sessions that help young people think entrepreneurially about their lives and their futures.

EAANN

The Electric Auto Association of Northern Nevada (EAANN) is hosting a series of public events designed to raise awareness of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and their impact on Nevada’s environment and economy. The EAANN will have another major EV education event in September as part of the national “Drive Electric” week. Visit www.electricnevada.org for more information.

COMMUNITY HEALTH ALLIANCE

Community Health Alliance (CHA) is hosting its fifth annual Wine & Ribs fundraiser on Saturday, August 6 at 5 p.m. at Bartley Ranch Regional Park in Reno. Proceeds will benefit low-income and uninsured northern Nevadans to aid in the mission of CHA to provide quality, affordable, comprehensive health services to all.

MONARCH CASINO & RESORT INC.

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. reported their second quarter net revenue. It was $54.6 million and their net income was $5.7 million.

Monarch’s second quarter adjusted EBITDA increased from 10.3% to $13.8 million. They also secured a $250 million amended credit agreement to support Monarch Casino Black Hawk Expansion.

GOLDEN GATE PETROLEUM

Golden Gate Petroleum announced that its new state-of-the-art hydrotreater at the company’s McCarran facility at the TRI Industrial Park, is now producing Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD). This Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel contains substantially less sulfur to allow the use of improved pollution control devices, which significantly improves air quality. The $12 million hydrotreater will begin producing approximately 3-1/2 million gallons of ULSD per month for the Northern Nevada market.

HAMPTON INN & SUITES

The Hampton Inn & Suites on Interstate 80 west of Reno is making its mark as a franchise 86-room hotel. Sharlands Hospitality LLC, owner of the property, is a family operation. Nevada State Development Corporation, the state’s largest SBA 504 loan provider, assisted with the financing behind the project.

SOLUM CONSTRUCTION

Solum Construction announced the addition of several projects. Projects recently started include Class A office space in South Meadows for Toll Brothers, Springs Lutheran Church in Spanish Springs, as well as a number of luxury homes in Arrowcreek. The company is headquartered at 405 Marsh Avenue in Reno, Nevada.

BLM

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is accepting sealed, written bids for the commercial harvesting of pine nut units in the BLM Battle Mountain, Elko and Ely districts. The deadline to submit a bid is 9:30 a.m. PDT, Tuesday, Aug. 9. For more information, contact Katie Walsh, BLM Ely District natural resource specialist, at (775) 289-1867 or kwalsh@blm.gov.

FOUNTAINHOUSE

Celebrating the opening of the first residential community to be built in historic Victorian Square, on Monday, Aug. 8 the Sparks Mayor and City Council will join locally based Silverwing Development and special guests for a VIP Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Fountainhouse is a 236 unit multi-family luxury urban style community located in the heart of Sparks.

LVN

Beginning Aug. 1, the Lahontan Valley News is returning to downtown Fallon. Their new address is 37 S. Maine St., but their telephone number and mailing address remain the same; 775 423-6041, and the mailing address is P.O. Box 1297, Fallon, NV 89407.

DOUGLAS COUNTY FINANCE

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Finance Division of Douglas County for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by government and its management.

IGT

International Game Technology PLC announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per ordinary share. The dividend is payable on August 24, 2016 to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 10, 2016.

PITCH BLACK PRINTING COMPANY

Pitch Black Printing Company, a print lab and art retailer, announces the opening of their commercial lab and retail space in Reno. They are located at 1108 California Avenue and are open from 10am-7pm Tuesday through Sunday. Visit www.pitchblackprintingco.com or call (775) 476-2003 to learn more.

CARR LONG REAL ESTATE

Carr Long Real Estate continues to establish itself as one of the area’s premier real estate companies as it becomes The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe sole on-site sales office.

BLS

The latest BLS News Release shows employment and wage data for occupations in the Reno Metropolitan Statistical Area. It highlights: The average worker in the Reno area earned $21.35/hr in May 2015, about 8% below the U.S. average of $23.23/hr, Management occupations in the area were highest paid at $47.89/hr, followed by legal occupations at $44.97/hr, Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations had wages 11% higher than the national average and Office and administrative support occupations accounted for the largest share of local employment at 17.0%.

RTC

The RTC marked a major milestone last week with 250 million rides taken since the transit agency’s inception in 1979.

RENO FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Reno Fire Department donated $7,500 worth of EpiPens to the Community Health Alliance so the medication can be used before it expires.

REMSA

REMSA Tactical Paramedics taught an Airport Response to Active Assailant Incidents course to 25 Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority personnel Tuesday, July 26. The course highlighted best practices to save lives in response to a potential active assailant incident.

FIRST TEE

The First Tee of Northern Nevada announced the launch of a fundraising drive to support the organization’s National School Education and Wellness program, which will allow the local organization to work with 65 elementary schools, of which 45 are Title 1 schools in Washoe County.

ADAMS HUB

Adams Hub for innovation is celebrating the opening of The Studio at Adams Hub, a new collaboration and event space, on Wednesday, August 3, from 5-7 p.m. The approximately 1,500 square foot, multi-purpose facility is being added to the business incubator and co-working habitat, and will be host to classes, workshops and community events, including a new chapter of the award-winning Nevada entrepreneur and business-mentoring organization, Entrepreneurs Assembly. For more information, please visit AdamsHub.com, or call 775.222.0001.

USA PARKWAY

The Nevada Department of Transportation will host a public information meeting to provide updates on construction of the USA Parkway extension on Thursday, Aug.11. The meeting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Silver Stage High School located at 3755 West Spruce Ave. in Silver Springs. Project information is available at www.usaparkway.com or by dialing (775) 888-7000.

STOREY COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

The county is seeking volunteer firefighters. Interested individuals 16 years and older may apply for several open volunteer positions. Volunteer firefighters train and serve alongside the career staff firefighters and paramedics serving in a variety of capacities. Learn more at http://storeycounty.org/169/Fire-Protection-District.

BOB MCFADDEN PLAZA

Carson City celebrated the opening of Bob McFadden Plaza, located on Third Street between Carson and Curry Streets on Saturday, July 30. Proceeds from the celebration went to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

COMSTOCK MINING

Comstock Mining Inc. announced in July that it has exercised a purchase commitment to acquire 98 acres of land and over 257 acre-feet of senior-priority water rights in Silver Springs, Nevada. The property was acquired through a wholly-owned subsidiary called Comstock Industrial LLC.