Business Resources | Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce

As one of the most business-friendly states in the nation, Nevada is home to numerous government and non-profit agencies and organizations that are devoted to helping small businesses succeed. Following is a brief overview of these agencies, provided by NCET, Nevada's Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology.

GTI - The Global Trade and Investment

GTI programs are aimed at helping businesses expand into international markets. GTI offers programs designed to assess your readiness - and potential for success -in exporting products or services. GTI's services can also be used by existing exporters to enter new or unfamiliar markets and can assist with international trade shows and trade missions. GTI maintains a network of nine international trade representative offices throughout the world.

expand2nevada.com/globaltrade.html

Nevada Industry Excellence

Formerly MAP - Management Assistance Partnership

Nevada Industry Excellence works directly with Nevada companies to strengthen their global competitiveness by providing information, decision support and implementation assistance in adopting new, more advanced technologies and best business practices. Nevada Industry Excellence helps companies streamline operations, apply the most up-to-date and sophisticated technology, provide managerial assistance and train the workforce.

nevadaie.com

NCED - Nevada Commission on Economic Development

The NCED's mission is to maintain a diverse economic base, ensure a healthy economy through quality jobs and competitive wages, and provide a quality of life that attracts and retains businesses. NCED programs are designed to remove barriers and help businesses achieve success. Whether your company is entering the global market for the first time or you're an experienced exporter, NCED will provide the help you need to grow your business and market your products and services to national and international audiences.

expand2nevada.com

NCET - Nevada's Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

NCET's programs encourage Nevadans to start businesses and connects them to the resources they need to succeed. NCET hosts the annual NCET Entrepreneur Expos (NCETexpo.org) and conducts the annual Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition (NCETgovcup.org) which encourages Nevada's university and college students to consider entrepreneurship as a career option and gives students real-world business planning experience.

NCET.org

NMI - Nevada Microenterprise Initiative

NMI provides tools to assist businesses in overcoming barriers they may face in starting or expanding a company. NMI offers business training, business loans and great networking opportunities.

4microbiz.org

NSBDC - Nevada Small Business Development Center

NSBDC is a statewide business assistance outreach program that provides a wide variety of technical assistance to support Nevada businesses. NSBDC guides and assists entrepreneurs in starting and growing their businesses in today's market and provides an abundance of free or low-cost information, assistance, counseling and training.

NSBDC.org

POP - Procurement Outreach Program

POP works to increase the flow of contract dollars to Nevada businesses by providing the necessary training and technical assistance to find, bid on and acquire federal, state and local contracts. Many businesses consider the idea of selling their products or services to the government much too complicated and overwhelming. POP helps simplify the process and cuts through the red tape, connecting Nevada businesses with lucrative opportunities.

expand2nevada.com/procurement.html

SBA - U.S. Small Business Administration

The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses and provides SBA-backed loans, government contracting opportunities, disaster assistance and training programs to help businesses succeed.

sba.gov

SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Business

SCORE is a nationwide organization of active and retired businessmen and women who volunteer their services to assist small businesses and people who want to go into business for themselves. More than 40 volunteer counselors provide free business counseling, free orientation workshops and low-cost seminars throughout Nevada. SCORE also provides crisis management assistance for businesses at-risk for closure. Chamber members are also eligible for complementary SCORE counseling services.

southernnevada.score.org

Going Green in Nevada

The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce administers a Green Roots program that makes it easy for home and business owners to adopt environmentally-conscious, cost-saving conservation practices.

Green Roots is a tiered program that provides the tools and resources necessary to launch, cultivate and expand greening efforts. The program features several "green levels," which businesses can use to establish and then enhance their green business practices. Most of the early levels include simple, free and easy-to-implement steps that most any business can tackle.

Here's what you need to know:

All resources for how to achieve each level item are provided as a "one stop shop" for the convenience of members
Level items with potential rebates or incentives are indicated with a dollar sign
Members can document their progress through online downloadable PDF forms
Members who complete each level will be listed in a special "Green Business" category and will enjoy logo recognition next to their company listing in the Chamber's online directory at LVChamber.com

The Chamber believes green business practices help members make business decisions that have a positive impact on customers, employees and the community as a whole. The goal of Green Roots is to improve the environment in which we all live while helping members reap the rewards of "going green." For more information on how you can be involved with Green Roots.

LVChamber.com/green

Green Roots Levels

Level 1: Roots

Easy low and no-cost steps to implement, such as launching a recycling program and turning off lights and equipment when not in use.

Level 2: Branches

Steps that will help your business run more cost effectively, like reducing or replacing the use of paper products and installing low-flow plumbing devices.

Level 3: Leaves

Minimize wasted energy in your business through energy audits, buying energy-efficient company vehicles and participating in community-wide green initiatives.

Level 4: Fruit

Includes items such as replacing all equipment with energy-efficient models, replacing turf with xeriscape landscaping and increasing use of recycled materials.

Green Resources and Links

The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Green Initiative has compiled a list of Green Resources to help keep you and your business on the cutting edge of green issues and give you links to find information about environmentally-friendly trends.

NV Energy Business Conservation

nvenergy.com/saveenergy/business

Energy Star:

energystar.gov

Environmental Protection Agency:

epa.gov

Republic Services (Recycling):

republicservicesvegas.com/Pages/RecyclingServices.aspx

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Recycling Project:

facilities.unlv.edu/recycling/

Southern Nevada Water Authority:

snwa.com/html/cons_index.html

LEED Certified Buildings

The U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^®) Green Building Rating System™ encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices. This is accomplished through the creation and implementation of universally-understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. Business owners and operators are becoming more environmentally aware and many are building their own structures to meet the LEED^® certification. LEED^® promotes sustainability by focusing on performance in five key areas of human and environmental health:

Sustainable site development
Water savings
Energy efficiency
Materials selection
Indoor environmental quality

Building green structures can help reduce operating costs, enhance asset value and profits, improve employee productivity and satisfaction and optimize life-cycle economic performance. There are also numerous environmental and community wellness benefits. For more information visit usgbc.org.

Commercial Real Estate

A qualified and experienced commercial real estate broker is highly versed in the specifics of the local commercial market. He or she will know what kind of space is available and the average going cost per square foot. A broker can also provide you with details about various commercial areas, such as building-specific amenities and traffic flow. In addition, a broker can negotiate terms and rental rates and oversee contracts and other written agreements.

A broker's value-added role:

A qualified broker is a strategic partner that fully understands how real estate decisions impact business growth. His/her primary task is to judiciously advise clients on the potential gains and challenges of site selection, expansion, consolidation, as well as the optimal financing conditions for each growth phase.
Market knowledge is a broker's strongest asset. Specifically, a broker will have the most current information on competitive rental rates, deal structures and comparable lease transactions. Also significant will be a broker's knowledge of current market trends, for example, the pros and cons of opting for an open concept layout versus traditional office and cubicle space or leasing at a downtown location versus the suburban markets.
Participation in established professional associations and networks allows a broker to effectively navigate all phases of the real estate transaction process. Strong business relationships with landlords and sellers further facilitates strategic real estate negotiations on a client's behalf.
Information technology advances have dramatically transformed all aspects of real estate marketing and research. Maximizing the use of these tools allows a broker to comprehensively analyze the market and strategically direct marketing efforts to effectively canvass designated trade areas.

What criteria should be applied in selecting a broker?

As with any product or service, a solid brand name buys the reassurance that a real estate broker has successfully represented many business clients. Choose a broker who has gained the respect of clients and peers alike, based on a proven track record and an established reputation for excellence.

During this process, it's important to keep in mind your specific business requirements, as a brand that works for others may not work for you. Once you have narrowed your search, be prepared to invest the necessary time to ascertain your level of trust with each professional broker on your short list. The fiduciary legal and financial nature of the broker-client relationship demands you pursue only those brokers with whom you foresee a strong and lasting relationship based on trust, open communication and an affinity or likeability factor.

Key indicators of a broker's future performance:

Superior customer service, "open-book" policy and information-sharing.
A broker's superior customer service, as measured by excellent response time with you and business prospects, is crucial to the success of your project. Look for multiple access avenues, such as telephone, cellular, e-mail and fax communication as well as a back-up system that includes a broker's associates and/or support staff.
Today's real estate clients are sophisticated and engaged participants who bring a crucial perspective to the transaction process. A broker should be willing to open his/her "books" to keep clients abreast of all activities performed on their behalf. Clients should expect a broker to provide timelines and regular updates on all marketing and brokerage activities, as well as consistent updates on all strategic planning meetings.

Office Building Classification:

Class A: The most prestigious buildings, Class A office space is typically the most expensive and most coveted, high-profile form of commercial real estate. Buildings have high-quality standard finishes, state-of-the-art systems, exceptional accessibility and a definite market presence.
Class B: Class B buildings have rent prices in the "average" range for a commercial area. Building finishes are fair to good for the area and systems are adequate.
Class C: Class C buildings are considered merely "functional," and carry the lowest rental prices.

Source: The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International

Site Selection Checklist

What to Look For in Choosing a Location

Proximity to competitors, suppliers and distributors
Accessibility to customers, employees and support service
Neighborhood cost of real estate, reputation, city services, future plans for and compatibility with surrounding land or building uses and amenities
Availability terms, time period and future redevelopment of area
Environmental concerns

Choosing a site with an existing facility:

Restrictive covenants/deed restrictions
Size and shape of lot parking
Utilities
Building structure
Age of building, type of construction, floor construction
Windows, casings, adaptability, expansion possibilities, condition and functional adequacy
Building equipment
Elevators
Plumbing and toilet facilities
Lighting
Truck-loading facilities
Miscellaneous: utility charges, insurance rates, taxes, landscaping, sidewalks/paving, common area maintenance (CAM) fees

Choosing a site on which to build:

Character of terrain, estimated grading cost, elevation, load-bearing characteristics of soil
Sub-soil characteristics, depths of bedrock, depth of ground water, drainage
Natural run-off capacity, need for artificial drainage facilities, need for flood protection, prevailing winds
Access to utilities
Water: size of mains, pressure, capacity, cost of extending to site
Gas: nearest lines, size, pressure, cost of extending to site
Sewage: size of mains (storm and sanitary), capacity of treating plant, means of disposal, cost of extending to site
Electric: size of transmission lines serving area, cost of extending to site
Road access to site-type of road; surface, width, load limits/restrictions
Cost of providing road access if not yet available
Distance of site from arterial street or highway
Railroads serving site/area, cost of extending service (spur) to site if not available
Commercial airport distance, public transportation serving site
Taxes associated with building
Restrictions: easements, rights of way, title/lien on property, restrictive covenants/deed restrictions