LV Internet firm sold

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Friday, June 16, 2000 | 11:08 a.m.

A Denver-based Internet communications provider said it acquired a Las Vegas Internet service provider to expand its regional footprint into Colorado, Arizona, Utah and Nevada.

ViaWest Internet Services Inc. bought @wizard.com, an eight-person company, to grow its DSL services and network consulting services in Nevada. It said it chose to expand into the Las Vegas market because it is one of the fastest-growing communities.

The 100-employee company cited a research report that says the Las Vegas metropolitan statistical area is expected to grow at a rate of 19.3 percent between 1998 and 2003, compared with 4.3 percent for the entire United States.

"We are trying to bridge the gap between local and national providers by delivering a regional solution," said Wendy St. Clair, Viawest's spokeswoman.