Thursday, March 14, 2002 | 11:10 a.m.
The Urban Chamber of Commerce found its first backer Wednesday in its efforts to build a business development center in impoverished West Las Vegas.
The chamber, which is oriented toward black business owners, announced it had received a grant from Park Place Entertainment Corp. to go toward development of the center. The chamber did not disclose how much Park Place contributed.
"It's a nice, five-figure number," said Louis Overstreet, executive director of the chamber.
"It's consistent with our philosophy of providing education and economic opportunities in the community we do business," said Lorenzo Creighton, vice president of government and community affairs for Park Place. "We've been involved with these kind of activities around the country, and we felt it was appropriate to get involved in that kind of activity in Las Vegas."
The chamber is estimating the cost of the center at $3.4 million, and is looking to Las Vegas business community to raise about $600,000 of that total. The remainder of the funds would come in the form of a grant from the federal Economic Development Authority, Overstreet said.
The chamber is also lobbying Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman to donate city land at an undetermined location to the center. Should funding come together, the center should open in late 2003, Overstreet said. West Las Vegas, centered around the Lake Mead Boulevard/Martin Luther King Boulevard area, has been largely bypassed during the city's economic boom.
The proposed center would provide office space to small minority and women-owned businesses, as well as provide job training services to local residents. Services housed by the center would include job training, accounting and tax services, legal assistance for businesses reviewing contracts and business proposals, an "e-commerce center," and a distance learning center. The chamber is also hoping to convince a local bank to locate a branch in the center.
"It could be significant," Creighton said. "The training and education component is much needed in this community. This project could really help West Las Vegas dramatically."
Creighton said Park Place will also supply employees to serve as trainers and teachers at the center.
Helping local residents find gaming jobs and gaming contracts will be just one element of the center. Other industries will also be targeted, including highway construction services and jobs.
Overstreet said the chamber is just beginning the process of approaching other gaming companies in Las Vegas, as well as local banks.
"We're hitting them all, and so far the reception is pretty good," Overstreet said. "We're expecting (financial help) from others. These people know we're credible and honorable."
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