County cancels $93 million Casino Drive SID project because Las Vegas Valley Water District cannot provide a water commitment 

By the Laughlin Economic Development Corporation @ October 6, 2022

Clark County Public Works Department, after 3 years of engineering and analysis, NOW says a water commitment is NOT in compliance with unchangeable LVVWD policy, so the SID is NOT viable and the County will NOT proceed with any further design of utilities in Casino Drive

     The above statements were issued by Public Works in an October 5th notice emailed to potential attendees and other parties interested in the County’s now canceled second Casino Drive Special Improvement District (“SID”) Public Informational Meeting on October 12th in Laughlin.  The Laughlin project went 4 miles from Needles Highway to Harrah’s at the south end of the casinos, and involved water, sewer, and full roadway improvements.

The notice further states that if a property owner desires to obtain water and sewer services to their property, they should contact the appropriate agency which provides such services.  For information contact Bridget Russo at (702) 455-2097 or Bridget.Russo@clarkcountynv.gov, OR Louise Steeps, Principal Civil Engineer at (702) 455-6216.

     The County’s total project estimate of $93 million included approximately $30 million for the roadway, $43 million for the water and sewer, and a $20 million contingency. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (“RTC”) indicated its willingness to cover the entire cost of the roadway widening, excluding sewer and water.  Normally, the property owners would have to cover the cost of curbs, gutters, sidewalks and street lights. 

     GCW Engineering, a Las Vegas firm, assisted Public Works in the design of the sewer and water for the SID, and is being paid from an allocation of up to $900,000 from the Fort Mohave Valley Development Fund (“FMDF”), approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The fund is a unique account reserved for Laughlin from the sale and lease of public land in Laughlin which the County holds in trust for the community’s infrastructure development. As of the first County Informational meeting on August 3rd, $500,000 of the fund had been spent.

     The bottom line is that Laughlin will lose the $30 million RTC commitment for the roadway and at least $500,000 from the FMDF, and have no sewer or water service available for additional development in South Casino Drive for the foreseeable future!

     Moratorium is defined as “a temporary prohibition of an activity” -- in fact, the above indicates there’s a temporary (unforeseeable!) prohibition of an activity (development) – this is a Moratorium on Casino Drive development from Harrah’s to Needles Highway!

     Private well-based water systems are the only other possibly viable alternative for Casino Drive projects underway or in planning, since no single project can bear total water main costs. 

22-1004 Updated Casino DR SID Press Release - LEDC.docx

LEDC is a 501(C)3 non-profit whose mission/vision is to attract -- and keep growing -- businesses, industries, and housing providers that Laughlin needs, and for which we know our existing residents and visitors can support -- For more information, contact: Martin Knauss at “laughlinedc@gmail.com”

 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. 

By Martin Knauss

President

Laughlin Economic Development Corporation

At the May 28, 2019 City Council meeting for the City of Needles, the LEDC gifted a wall map of the Tri – State area to the City. Attending from the LEDC was Martin Knauss, President, Jim Maniaci, Vice-President, Cheryl Crow, Board Member, and Robert Bilbray, Strategic Development Advisor. Also attending was Dr. Brian Paulson, Laughlin Town Manager.

Jeff Williams, Mayor of Needles, the City Council members, and Rick Daniels, City Manager, warmly accepted the gift and thanked the LEDC.

The LEDC supports the City of Needles in improving their infrastructure, especially Needles Highway. We hope to work together in the future on a potential Railroad Spur for the area to support commercial development that will provide jobs for the citizens of Needles and

Laughlin.

For information about the LEDC, contact President Martin Knauss at laughlinedc@gmail.com; 725-867-8190; or go to laughlinedc.org. 

Martin Knauss, President, LEDC, and Robert Bilbray, Strategic Development Advisor, LEDC, met with Executive Director Michael Brown, Deputy Director Kristopher Sanchez, and Director of Business Development Melanie Sheldon on January 24, 2020. Joining the discussion was State Senator Joe Hardy, State Assemblyman Glen Leavitt, and Jared Smith, LVGEA. 

Discussed during the meeting was the status of economic development in Laughlin including paths forward to bring small business, light industrial, and commercial entities to Laughlin. Focus was on the Fort Mohave Development Law and its past use, former and current Special Improvement Districts and their success, the Mohave Generating Station land, and the Southland properties including the solar energy area. 

Mr. Brown shared state-wide economic development trends and drilled down on what items that GOED could assist with in Laughlin. 

A commitment was made for Mr. Brown and team to visit Laughlin in the near future and further the discussions with the LEDC.  

The Board of our South Bay Homeowners Association accepted and acrylic evening photo donation from Robert Bilbray the Strategic Development Advisor for the Laughlin Economic Development Corporation for display inside their clubhouse. South Bay has and remains and integral part of the economic history and future for our Laughlin Community. 

 The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance hosted the State of Economic Development Event on February 13th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas.  The State of Economic Development brings together elected officials, as well as community and business leaders from Southern Nevada and across the state, to celebrate our advancements and gain insight on the investments being made in Nevada through economic development and job creation.  Martin Knauss, President of the Laughlin Economic Development Corporation, was one of the speakers at the event.  Read more below about the event from the 

Laughlin Nevada Times article published on 2-21-20:

Knauss takes part in State of Economic Development event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Media Contact: Jennifer Schuricht

March 22, 2021 702-402-5241

PUCN Approves NV Energy’s Greenlink Nevada Transmission and Renewable Energy Initiative

Today the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) approved moving forward on NV Energy’s Greenlink Nevada transmission and renewable energy initiative.

Greenlink Nevada will transform Nevada’s clean energy landscape by tapping into resource-rich renewable energy zones throughout western and northern Nevada, helping accelerate the responsible development of clean energy on public lands; increase electric reliability for all Nevadans and drive the

creation of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic recovery from the COVID19 pandemic.

“Today’s approval of the first phase of Greenlink Nevada puts our state one step closer to achieving its environmental and carbon reduction goals while aligning with Governor Steve Sisolak’s vision for a new sustainable energy economy that will assist with Nevada’s recovery from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Doug Cannon, NV Energy President and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to engaging with diverse state and federal stakeholders to construct this project in a timely and environmentally sustainable manner.”

NV Energy’s investment of more than $2.5 billion in Greenlink Nevada is expected to generate $690 million in economic activity and support nearly 4,000 jobs, including the utilization of skilled union labor. The initiative will also allow for the development of approximately 5,000 megawatts of renewable energy projects throughout Nevada that will contribute significant economic growth in the form of nearly 2,000 additional construction jobs and related tax revenue. The project will also provide the infrastructure needed to support the growth of new and expanding businesses in Nevada from west Henderson to Apex in North Las Vegas to Reno.

“NV Energy’s Greenlink Nevada initiative will unlock for all Nevadans the sustainability and economic benefits that come from providing essential transmission access to our State’s vast renewable energy resources and exemplifies the potential of my vision for Nevada’s new energy economy,” said Gov. Sisolak. “I applaud NV Energy for its forward thinking in presenting this project, and for its ongoing commitment to supporting Nevada’s long-term economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”  

With this decision, the company will begin preliminary design and permitting for both segments of Greenlink Nevada. Upon completion of this work, construction will start on Greenlink West, the first major segment of the project, which is a 525 kV line from Las Vegas, NV to Yerington, NV and two 345 kV lines from Yerington, NV into the Reno/Sparks area. Greenlink West has an estimated completion date of December 2026.

“I appreciate the work of the Commission to review this important project,” said Cannon. “I would also like to thank the broad and diverse group of key stakeholders, including local governments, environmental organizations, economic development groups, renewable energy developers, labor unions

and trade associations, who expressed support for Greenlink Nevada and acknowledged the tremendous economic and environmental benefits that Greenlink Nevada will bring to rural communities and the entire state.”

NV Energy provides a wide range of energy services to more than 1.5 million customers throughout Nevada and a typical tourist population of more than 54 million annually. NV Energy, Inc. is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, do

business as NV Energy. NV Energy is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Information about NV Energy is available on the company's website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via nvenergy.com.

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