CityWalks causing citywide responses

The first of four CityWalks was conducted April 2 through the southern section of North Las Vegas. About 30 chamber members and city officials, including Ward 2 Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Pamela Goynes-Brown, visited 70 businesses in two hours.

The group then gathered for a “triage” session to evaluate findings, said Lynne Sloane, North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce director of member services.

The group split into pairs and had business owners answer a minisurvey about the state of business, trends and what they needed or wanted from the city or chamber.

“The business owners were really bowled over that someone from the city was asking how they are doing,” Sloane said. “A lot of times we would be able to put people together and effect a change.”

The teams reconvened to rehash findings.

Sloane and Goynes-Brown were paired for their walk through an industrial section of North Las Vegas.

Businesses affected by the housing crisis, such as a cabinet company, were struggling, but others, such as an industrial laundry and recycling center, were flourishing, Sloane said.

“You had some not affected by the economy and others who had to let go three-quarters of their workers,” Sloane said. “They said they are still not coming back as quickly.”

North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Curtis Cummings said an official report is still being drafted to present to City Council, but he estimated that about 7 percent of businesses polled reported an actionable issue.

“If you reverse that, it’s a 93 percent satisfaction rate,” he said.

A trial CityWalk program was conducted in October.

Cummings dubbed the concept “the single best way, as the leader of the Chamber, I can get to measure the temperature of our community.”

Businesses responded favorably enough in October to expand it into all wards this year, Cummings said.

“People wanted to spend more time talking about their business and business environment,” he said. “The folks that are still in business are the survivors; they are very hardy.”

CityWalks are planned for May 21 in Ward 1 with Councilman Robert Eliason, Sept. 13 in Ward 3 with Councilwoman Anita Wood and Nov. 27 in Ward 4 with Councilman Wade Wagner.

Goynes-Brown said she has walked through her ward similarly before, but the April 2 jaunt introduced her to new businesses and optimistic owners.

“The good thing is business is picking up,” she said. “And it will get better and better.”

For more information about CityWalk, call 642-9595 or visit northlasvegas
chamber.com.

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.