Las Vegas, Boulder City companies to get boost from state

State officials on Tuesday approved tax reductions for a new Las Vegas company that recycles old electronic devices and a training grant for a Boulder City company that plans to make wind turbine blades in Pahrump.

The Nevada Commission on Economic Development unanimously approved tax benefits and a $55,000 training grant for U.S. Micro Corp. The company is building a 130,000-square-foot, two-story building in southwestern Las Vegas and intends to employ 100 workers by the end of 2012.

Separately, the commission authorized a $162,000 training grant for Wind Sail Receptor, a Boulder City company that intends to employ 90 workers at a Pahrump manufacturing plant by the end of the year. Wind Sail expects to ask the commission for tax reductions later.

U.S. Micro President Jim Kegley said the company's executive staff is moving to Las Vegas from Atlanta, where the company will maintain a staff of about 100.

U.S. micro's average hourly pay will be $26.16. Workers also get free meals prepared by a chef and use of a gym with a trainer, Kegley said.

The commission approved a sales tax abatement that is expected to save U.S. Micro $85,000 and deferred sales tax collection of $28,000. The economic development panel authorized a $14,000, or 50 percent, reduction in the modified business tax. U.S. Micro also received training grants of $5,000 each for 11 employees.

Kegley and partner Steve Bowen started U.S. Micro with three employees in 1995. The company sends technicians around the country to buy used computers, smart phones, copiers and other electronic devices from large corporations. U.S. Micro removes all the data from the devices and sends newer equipment to Atlanta for refurbishing and resale.

Equipment that is 5 years old or older typically will be "demanfactured" in Las Vegas, Kegley said. The old equipment will be dismantled and separated into plastics, aluminum, steel and other materials that can be reused for manufacturing, Kegley said.

Kegley decided on Las Vegas after reviewing sites in Texas, Washington and Phoenix.

Wind Sail Receptor intends to make polyethylene wind power turbine blades in Pahrump for use in homes and small businesses. It has found another company that makes generators for attaching to the blades. WindGen Energy of Scottsdale, Ariz., will install the wind turbines.

The Nevada Development Authority backed the U.S. Micro and Wind Sail applications.

Contact reporter John G. Edwards at jedwards@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0420.