Sept. 11 drives home need for more diverse economy

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, Nov. 1, 2001 | 9:40 a.m.

Many local government officials have believed diversification of the Las Vegas Valley's economic base was Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt's top initiative and the state's responsibility.

On Sept. 11, that contention changed. Southern Nevada was one of the nation's first regions to suffer from the tumbling of the tourism and hospitality industries after the terrorist attacks.

Clark County officials scrambled to assist more than 10,000 hotel workers who were laid off. They also worked to develop strategies to keep a lagging economy from hurting more workers.

And the officials began to contemplate their roles as they relate to changing the economic makeup of the valley.

"If Sept. 11 showed us anything, it's that our economy is entirely too dependent on hospitality and travelers," said Clark County Commission chairman Dario Herrera. "We need to provide a broader economic base so we are less susceptible to national trends."

How can county government help change an economic base so immersed in one industry?

Clark County Manager Thom Reilly said the government not only needs to tout its assets, such as low property taxes and vacant land, but also show out-of-state companies that Southern Nevada is business-friendly.

The county can work on methods to help with building and planning permits to make the process more inviting to potential corporations.

"Given the state of economics for businesses, it seems like a host of businesses could relocate," Reilly said. "We need to look at resources to facilitate that; we haven't spent much time doing that."

Herrera said the county needs to work more closely with the Nevada Development Authority to find solutions, but emphasized the importance of looking into longterm solutions, as opposed to simply applying "window-dressing."

Michael Slater, executive director of the Las Vegas Interfaith Council, told politicians and business leaders who took part in an economic roundtable shortly after the attacks that the valley must begin to expand its economic base.

Slater said Tuesday that perhaps the most effective method to bring in more industry is to provide a pool of skilled workers by offering more educational opportunities to Clark County residents.

"You invest in educational opportunities so people here have skills, and companies want to come here because it's a developed work force," Slater said.

Local government officials must look at whether they're providing funds to allow business entrepreneurs and minorities to start their own companies.

While discussions between county officials are preliminary, Herrera said county officials are serious in their efforts.

"We need to better understand our options," Herrera said. "The review committee (which looked at reorganization of the county) identified the need to work closely with the Nevada Development Authority. The county historically hasn't done that."