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Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 | 10:45 a.m.
Reno. Las Vegas.
Guess which one didn’t make businessweek.com's list of America’s top 50 cities?
Yep, it was Vegas.
Sin City failed to make the business news organizations’s list, which was bookended by San Francisco at No. 1 and Los Angeles at No. 50. The rankings were based on leisure opportunities, educational attributes, economic factors, crime statistics and air quality ratings.
Rounding out the top 10 were Seattle, Washington, D.C., Boston, Portland, Ore., Denver, New York, Austin, Texas, San Diego and St. Paul, Minn.
Reno drew a No. 42 ranking.
Here’s what the list’s creators had to say about it:
“Known for its mining and casinos, Reno lately has struggled to park patrons in the seats of slot machines; its 11.7 percent unemployment rate is the highest on this list. The city has worked to reinvent itself through an unlikely pastime: bowling. Reno lays claim to featuring the only bowling stadium of its kind in the world, with 78 championship lanes for its tournaments.”
So what do you think? Is Vegas worthy of Top 50 status — or at least more worthy than such cities as Lincoln, Neb. (No. 34), Anchorage, Alaska (No. 49), Milwaukee (No. 26) and Reno (and its many bowling lanes)?
The Las Vegas Sun: Where we'll take every single opportunity to point out how much better Las Vegas is than Reno, and complain when no one agrees with us.
You think that rag up north is any different? Give me a break....
Vegas is full of cigarette smoke. It could make the
"Worst Indoor Polluted Air" in America list.
Has Anyone Driven around Las Vegas. What is there for Families to do other than expensive roadside stands offered by the Casinos. A Great Natural History Museum? Children's Museum (Just because we have a small Museum as here in Vegas its not adequate ) where they can spend days learning New things. An Aquarium - like in Monterey or Sea World, A Top Tier Water and Amusement Park? Expansive libraries with large Children's section? A Public Park in the Center City where Festivals are held and a Walkable Downtown of more than six blocks.
Zoning - Every road with every different color sign imaginable, a place where no One wants to sit in a sidewalk cafe - because the County Commissioners have caved to every builder wanting to put up a tackier sign than their neigbor. Where the signs on the Strip look far better than those near communities.
Education - Don't Get me Started.
Las Vegas is still a small Mill Town - the mill just happen to be Casinos and the Residents are stuck working for Mill Wages until they get an Education and Leave or DEMAND more economic diversity from their elected officials.
Leisure opportunities - Fair(Strip, Fremont, Off-strip casinos, Red Rock Canyon, Springs Preserve, Arts District, Malls)
Educational attributes - Poor/Fair (CCSD known to not be performing so well, being 5th largest)
Economic factors - Poor/Fair due to housing crisis/unemployment rates/lack of diverse industries
Crime statistics - going up/rising due to economic factors
Air quality ratings - Definitely a lot better than LA
But no, I guess we don't deserve to be in the top 50...yet
Las Vegas is a wonderful city and deserves to be in the top 10! Yes the economic downturn has created havoc in a town that soon will be booming again. These last few years will be a tiny bump in the road a few years from now when everything will start growing again.I just watched a video from 1988 of the strip on youtube and was awe stricken at how much it had changed in just 20 years.How quickly we forget how desolate it was.
Las Vegas has become an amazing city where people from around the world flock to visit. I hardly think Lincoln Nebraska can lay claim to that. I am a Californian who has lived in Southern Nevada as well and look forward to My next visit in October.
A few of the things that make it unique and stand out to me as a visitor and should also stand out as a Resident.
Red Rock Canyon.Hiking trails and Mountain biking in a unique colorful setting no other city can boast.
Clark County Government Center Ampitheater, Go enjoy a free Concert and take the Family,Make it a family picnic and meet new people. So much fun!
Where else can you have such a diverse array of International Cuisine in such an entertaining environment as the strip..... Lincoln Nebraska, Maybe McDonalds drive thru at 2a.m.
A short drive and you can find yourself immersed in fresh air with so many outdoor activities to be found year round.... Lincoln Nebraska,Freezing to minus teens or more in the winter.
Bottom line is enjoy your City, get out and see something new and be proud of it. Stop complaining and support what you have, rebuild it, Clean it up or....Move to Lincoln Nebraska if You really think You have it so bad!
Reno is cooler.
Who *cares*? Without the teat of Vegas and Clark County's tax base, the rest of the state wouldn't be on anyone's list of anything. How about we distribute tax revenue equitably within the state on a per capita basis for once?
Also: If one has time to write a manifesto on a news story as a comment, surely they have time to either make a positive difference in their community or to get on the road and leave. Choose one!
Henderson should have made the list. This city has a unique community feel unlike Las Vegas or any of the other municipalities in the valley.
James, get a grip on it. Reno / Washoe County is an urban area, about half a million people. As such, the Reno area is "funded" much as the Vegas area. Elko sort of also. Other than roads, which there are very few, and not-so-well maintained, the urban areas don't send much money into the outback. There are so few people more than 50 miles away from urbania that no one, including politicians, pays much attention. Oh sure, they speech about it but actual funding is rather short. Our tax revenue is siphoned off into "mandatory" programs like K-12 and law enforcement. It doesn't take many firefighters at 1/4 to 1/2 million a year to strain the cash flow. Ditto teachers and law enforcement. OK, all are essential but not in the numbers and compensation levels that we're giving away.
Reno is unable to keep a smooth jazz radio station afloat. It's "cool" factor may be oversold.
By our local KCNC classical radio stations own admission, Reno residents better support public broadcasting than does Las Vegas. The Reno Philharmonic is more accomplished than our Las Vegas Philharmonic.
"You think that rag up north is any different? Give me a break...."
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As awful as the Reno newspaper is, their story about the Business Week list made absolutely no mention that Las Vegas didn't rank in the top 50.