Adviser: Nevada has ‘inferiority complex’

MINDEN - Nevada officials are honing their corporate courtship skills to lure new business, but one consultant says the state suffers from an "inferiority complex" and would do well to tout its strengths with a little swagger.

During a meeting Thursday at GE Energy in Minden, Lorna Shepard with Noble Studios told the Board of Economic Development that the state's attributes are beaten down by the focus on its challenges and weaknesses.

"There's a belief there's not a great education system," she said, saying there is a "perception problem" about the state.

The remarks were met with raised eyebrows by panel chairman Gov. Brian Sandoval, who said, "I could point to anyone in the room and they'd say that Nevada is not inferior to anywhere else."

Sandoval has made economic development a cornerstone of his administration. He created the Governor's Office on Economic Development to centralize and prioritize the state's efforts.

In February, the office unveiled an economic development plan that calls for targeting seven core industries. Legislation passed in 2011 also created a $10 million fund to help to create economic growth.

While the governor seemed to be chagrined by the inferiority comment, it spurred a discussion that took on the tone of an empowerment seminar.

"There are things we can be proud of," said Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, noting the Millennium Scholarship that provides Nevada high school graduates with sufficient grades with up to $10,000 to attend a state college or university.

Board members also discussed recruiting business executives to be ambassadors for luring new business, and Sandoval suggested welcoming signs at airports bearing the logos of corporate residents.