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”

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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[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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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 the Laughlin Nevada Times article contains additional details about the CBD grant and plans. 

Laughlin receives $4.67 million CBD grant for center