Southern Nevada has much to offer despite downturn

Has Las Vegas lost its mojo?

A daily reader of the local papers might think so. The implication is that Nevada, Clark County, Las Vegas and other Southern Nevada municipalities have nothing to offer new residents or new businesses.

Even when a positive story or viewpoint appears, it is often qualified with a "but" -- and followed by recounting the negatives of the state or region. This negative attitude is also reflected in the community. We can't all be as positive as Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, but we have to emphasize the positive aspects of the area.

I am fairly new to Las Vegas, but I see a great many advantages for the area and a tremendous current opportunity to attract business executives and their operations. Some of these advantages include:

1. Current bargains in housing for individuals at all income levels.

2. A large pool of trainable, hardworking people.

3. A large inventory of available office space at low cost.

4. An excellent business climate with no corporate income taxes and many other incentives.

5. No personal income taxes, no estate or gift taxes, no inheritance taxes, and the reputation of being the leading state in domestic asset protection trusts.

6. Great weather.

7. A nationally respected university and a very good college with many vocational programs.

8. An abundance of cultural and social attractions, including Nevada Ballet Theatre, the Las Vegas Philharmonic, other attractions at UNLV, and the opening of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts on the horizon.

9. First-class shows and other entertainment on the Strip.

10. The best of year-round outdoor activities including plenty of golf and country clubs, unlimited regional hiking trails, off-road four-wheeling, camping, sight-seeing, skiing, boating, many well-lighted and monitored community parks, and proximity to the biggest, best and most beautiful national parks.

11. An excellent regional library system.

12. Extensive fiber optic communications.

13. Excellent magnet schools and career and technical Academies. (Area schools get a bad rap because of the dropout rate, but a high percentage is caused by families moving on or returning to their original homes).

14. A good public transportation system and an ever-improving, controlled-access highway system.

15. An abundance of first-class restaurants of all types, good supermarkets and specialty food stores and, of course, there's Trader Joe's.

16. An international brand with nonstop flights to places throughout the world, plus a World Market Center that is growing in importance, plus the Las Vegas Design Center.

17. Highly competitive energy costs with a head start in research and application of alternative energy.

18. Sufficient numbers of physicians and hospitals for the population and incrementally improving medical care, plus the addition of a Cleveland Clinic operation.

19. Nearly 20 museums (a few of which may have to close temporarily because of a lack of operating funds).

20, Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases and the Nevada Test Site, which play a big role in defining Las Vegas.

21. The Runnin' Rebels, an invaluable asset in the minds of some people.

22. Proximity to California and 10 other states with a market of 60 million people.

23. And, of course, a very good all-around daily newspaper, another newspaper noted for its investigative reporting and viewpoints, plus plenty of local choices on the radio dial and TV listings.

Before retiring, I worked in economic development in New Jersey and would have given anything for just a few of these advantages. With all this ammunition, there is no reason for any negative thoughts about the area. The pioneering spirit of Las Vegans has to be restored. This can be initiated by first appreciating what you have.

There are a number of agencies promoting the area, but redoubled and coordinated efforts are needed now while some companies are ripe for the picking. I would also suggest a corps of ambassadors to promote the area, beginning with people such as Oscar Goodman and Jim Rogers. Gov. Brian Sandoval is also a great salesman for the state and area in pointing out Nevada's exceptionalism.

One thing to remember: If you can get an executive interested in the area, there is a good chance he will move his business operation here.

Jay A. Miers lives in Las Vegas.