Laughlin Economic
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
A Community Partnership
Laughlin Economic
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
A Community Partnership
LEDC Announces Dr. Brian Paulson As New Government Affairs
[PRESS RELEASE]
LEDC Announces Dr. Brian Paulson As New Government Affairs Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [October 2020]
CONTACT: Martin Knauss, President, laughlinedc@gmail.com
LAUGHLIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ANNOUNCES GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DIRECTOR DR. BRIAN PAULSON TO SERVE AS INTERGOVERNMENTAL LIAISON OF NONPROFIT
LAUGHLIN, Nevada (October 2020) The Laughlin Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) announced Dr. Brian Paulson has been named government affairs director of the nonprofit devoted to promoting the economic health, welfare, and quality of life for the residents of
Laughlin through economic development.
Paulson, the former Laughlin Town Manager, has supported the efforts of the LEDC in the past few years to bring about greater economic vitality to Laughlin.
“All of us at the LEDC see an opportunity to have a greater influence on intergovernmental matters as they pertain to Laughlin economic development,” LEDC President Martin Knauss said. “We are excited to take this next step and retain Dr. Paulson’s wealth of experience and
insight in government for the betterment of Laughlin.”
Paulson’s hiring comes as the nonprofit is actively providing a platform for economic development for business and industry leaders looking to expand their operations to southern Clark County and the advantages the Laughlin community offers to prospecting business.
As governmental affairs director, Paulson will enhance these efforts by working as a liaison and consultant with local, state, and federal staff and representatives, including the offices of Senator Joe Hardy, Assemblyman Glen Leavitt, and other members of the 2021 state
legislature, the Governor’s Office on Economic Development, and the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance. Additionally, Paulson will work closely with both the Henderson and Boulder City Chambers of Commerce along with Laughlin local organizations to promote mutual joint interests. He will monitor state and federal legislative actions in relation to Laughlin economic development and represent the LEDC in legislative and regulatory sessions.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to help build and strengthen a town and a valuable community asset, the LEDC, for the residents of Laughlin,” Paulson said, “and look forward to working with the community again and its many partners in both government and economic development in this new position.”
Paulson served as Laughlin town manager from June 2016 until his retirement from Clark County in August 2020 after 31 years of public service, including over 20 years as the County’s senior community development coordinator for the Community Development Block Grant
program. Paulson is a past president of the National Association for County Community and Economic Development and holds both masters and doctoral degrees in public administration from Iowa State University and the University of La Verne.
The LEDC is a Nevada-based nonprofit whose mission is to create and implement a collaborative venture among civic and business leaders in the town of Laughlin, to promote the health, welfare, and quality of life for the residents of Laughlin through economic development.
A community partnership for action, members provide networking, professional services, financial support initiatives, and community building through economic development in the town of Laughlin.
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Pandemic Emergency Technical Support (PETS) grant program
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Governor Steve Sisolak announced details for a new $20 million grant program aimed at helping small businesses and non-profit organizations that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Pandemic Emergency Technical Support (PETS) grant program makes $20 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds available to small businesses, non-profit organizations, arts and culture organizations, and local Chambers of Commerce to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
LEDC Welcomes The Market at Laughlin
LEDC President Martin Knauss presented an engraved crystal plaque commemorating the Grand Opening of The Market at Laughlin on Saturday, September 26, 2020 to Darin and Valerie Hill, owners of the Hill Grocery Company. Steve Stewart, General Manager for The Market at Laughlin, and new member of the LEDC, was also in attendance.
LEDC member Ashlyn Sainz was instrumental in assisting Mr. Hill and his organization in finding contractors to quickly manage the remodeling of the store in a very short time period.
Recap 2020 Perspective Addresses Southern Nevada’s Economy
JIM MURREN AND JEREMY AGUERO DISCUSSED THE REGION’S RESPONSE, RECOVERY AND ECONOMY
More than 1,100 people registered to attend the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance’s (LVGEA) first-ever virtual Vegas Perspective, marking the 40th anniversary of the event. Perspective is the region’s premier source for community and economic development information, analysis and forecasting. Read the rest of the article here
** View Jeremy Aguero’s presentation here **
Laughlin Community to receive $4.67 million CBD grant for multi-generational Center
The Laughlin Community Development Advisory Committee, led by members Robert Bilbray and Cheryl Crow, received good news that their effort to secure a Community Block Development Grant was successful (pending final approval). The grant of $4,670,399, through the Capital Improvement Plan Application process in Clark County, is for a multi-generational center at the Spirit Mountain Activity Center located at Mountain View Park in Laughlin.
Cheryl Crow is a Director of the Laughlin Economic Development Corporation, and Robert Bilbray is the Strategic Development Advisor for the Laughlin Economic Development Corporation.
An article in a 2-21-20 Laughlin Nevada Times article contains additional details about the CBD grant and plans.
Press Release from the LEDC
BCC awards Casino Drive SID design contract
Use immediately/Contact Martin Knauss laughlinedc@gmail.com 725-867-8190
LAS VEGAS – Clark County Commissioners on August 20 unanimously approved about $2 million for design of street, water, and sewer through a special improvement district for West Casino Drive in Laughlin.
“The large-diameter water and sewer pipes finally will complete the missing link of the utilities in southern Laughlin,” said Martin Knauss, president of the Laughlin Economic Development Corporation which has supported the effort.
“This will open up lots of commercial land for development along a stretch of Casino Drive that is twice as long as the famed Laughlin Strip Corridor. And it certainly will improve access for Laughlin’s main route for visitors from southern California,” Knauss added.
The vote of 5-0, with Commissioner Michael Naft not present, to award the contract to CG Wallace was part of the consent agenda which will result in bonds being paid back by 29 property owners to widen and straighten 3.9 miles of South and West Casino Drive to 4 through lanes (from 2 lanes, and increase the speed limit from 35 MPH to 45 MPH) from Needles Highway in Upper Laughlin to Harrah’s Resort in Downtown Laughlin, and about half that length for water and sewer trunk lines for 19 properties that now lack the wet utilities.
Originally $2.3 million was earmarked for the engineers to design the 3 parts of the project. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) allocated $1.5 million for the street portion that will include turn lanes, curbs, sidewalks, and streetlights. The Clark County Commission approved the Laughlin Town Advisory Board’s request to allocate $800,000 from the Fort Mohave Valley Development Fund (FMVDF) towards design costs for the water and sewer districts, whose boards of trustees are the commissioners.
The $300,000 difference between the maximum allocation and the contract can be reallocated by the RTC Board, while all the unused water and sewer design money must be returned to the unique FMVDF which is limited to planning and construction of Laughlin infrastructure. Clark County is the community’s trustee for the 9,000 acres between developed Laughlin and the California border, only 13 miles from the BNSF Railroad’s main lines at Needles.
In an adjacent project, the LEDC in 2012 initiated the idea of an aquatic-based SID to dredge the navigation channels of the Laughlin Lagoon, in which owners of 24 properties are paying back Clark County-issued bonds for SID 162-A. In turn, it is tied into the planned Laughlin River Park between the Lagoon and Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Park. The Lagoon and planned 40-acre Park are adjacent to the Casino Drive SID, and tie into the LEDC support of the Laughlin Town Advisory Board drive to get the Big Bend Water District (operated by the Las Vegas Valley Water District) and the Clark County Water Reclamation District to install backbone systems in the 14 square-mile Laughlin Southland that is immediately south of the Big Bend park and reaches to the California border.
That would allow the BNSF Railroad to install a branch line to the Needles Highway in the Southland, only 13 miles from its main line in Needles.
County approves improvements in southern Laughlin
Laughlin Times
Laughlin Casino Drive SID
Fort Mohave Development Area
Future for Laughlin!
Overhead view south to the 9000 acre Fort Mohave Development Area (FMDA) in Laughlin, Nevada.
Promoting Economic Development in Laughlin
BLM Resources Management Plan
LEDC Comments on the BLM Plan
The Laughlin Economic Development Corporation released comments
for the Bureau of Land Management's Resources Management Plan.
Our goal jobs and economic development.
Click on the link below to see and download our comments.
Patrons / Enhanced Members
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Partnerships & Memberships
LEDC Membership in Laughlin
Get Involved
The LEDC is always looking for civic and business leaders to join us in our efforts of promoting economic development in Laughlin. If you are interested in getting involved please visit our Membership page for more information.