WELCOME TO THE LAS VEGAS
VALLEY
Situated at an elevation of 2,174 feet, the City of Las
Vegas serves as the county seat of Clark County. Other cities and communities that are included in
the area surrounding Las Vegas are North Las Vegas, Henderson with its
sprawling enclave popularly called Green Valley, and Boulder City.
The Las Vegas Valley encompasses about 7,930 square miles
of area, bordered by Hoover Dam, the respected Nellis Air Force Base complex
and range, and the Nevada Nuclear Test Site. This vast region lies on the
southern edge of Nevada’s distinctive basin for a truly open, expansive
feeling.
As the largest city in the state, Las Vegas delivers all
the amenities and advantages of a major metropolitan center. Culture and the
arts, higher education, leading research institutions, and major healthcare
facilities are all available. At the same time, Las Vegas combines the casual
warmth of the Old West with a pulsating and glittering nightlife that has
earned the city the title of “Entertainment Capital of the World.”
Las Vegas is a city like no other in the nation. Gambling
was legalized decades ago in Nevada, which eventually created a recreational
culture that combined world-class shows and exclusive resorts with
opportunities for an evening with “Lady Luck.” Throughout the last decade
of the 20th century, the Las Vegas Valley became a hotbed of residential
development and economic activity.
The valley offered an impressive list of advantages to
new businesses and relocating companies. With billions of dollars of revenue
pouring into the economy from gaming and tourism, the state legislature could
afford to offer a favorable tax climate. Individuals do not have to pay state
income tax, and the corporate world is exempt from many taxes that other states
impose. When you consider the desirability of the Las Vegas Valley as a place
to live, play, work, and carry on business; it is no surprise that this region
is one of the fastest growing in the nation.
The communities that border the City of Las Vegas like
Henderson and Boulder City have shared in the real estate and economic boom,
building contemporary industrial parks and prime office space to welcome new
businesses. The Green Valley area of Henderson, for example, offers thousands
of prime acres of exceptional commercial, residential, and industrial property
in a modern, suburban atmosphere. Each city takes pride in its municipal
programs, from recreational facilities and lush parks to sports leagues and
summer programs.
Without a doubt, Las Vegas Valley is a shining jewel in
the Nevada desert. This oasis of beauty and sophistication will be attracting
newcomers for decades to come with its superior quality of life.
Economy & Services
The economic prowess of Las Vegas lies in its people and
rich resources. A youthful, highly skilled and well-educated labor force
contributes to a productive and competitive business climate. The region’s
centralized location in the Southwest provides easy access to the West Coast,
Mexico, and other regional growth markets. An efficient transportation network
provides excellent rail, highway and air connections to major cities around the
nation. Ample resources enhance an environment that encourages the growth and
prosperity of both stable and new industries.
The economic strength of the state can be determined from
the unique relationship between employment, the labor force, and population.
The population and employment have increased at a substantial rate over the
past 12 years, encouraging vigorous economic activity in spite of the national
cycles of upswings and downturns. With a longstanding ranking as “Number One”
in job growth throughout the ‘90s, Nevada continually ranks among the nation’s
top states in this category.
Investment in educational institutions has yielded Las
Vegas high returns. The metro area is a leading center for training engineers
who can supply the fast-growing demand for talent and expertise in high-tech
fields. Area youngsters receive a quality education in public and private
schools, with a number of excellent choices for higher education close to home.
The University of Nevada-Las Vegas not only serves as an outstanding
educational resource for the region, it enriches the community with stellar
attractions in dazzling venues.
State-of-the-art healthcare is available throughout the
Las Vegas Valley in major hospitals and medical centers as well as primary care
centers, emergency centers, long-term care facilities, and home health
organizations. Boulder City Hospital in Boulder City, Lake Mead Hospital in
North Las Vegas, and two modern campuses for St. Rose Dominican Hospital in
Henderson ensure that sophisticated medical and surgical specialties are
available close to home. Residents of Las Vegas can look to quality
institutions to meet every need, including Desert Springs Hospital Medical
Center, Mountainview Hospital, Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, Sunrise
Children’s Hospital and Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, the University
Medical Center of Southern Nevada, and the Valley Hospital Medical Center.
Lifestyle
The casual and relaxed lifestyle available in the Las
Vegas Valley represents yet another significant asset, and the quality of life
is often measured by natural beauty and unique cultural opportunities. Strong
support for the arts and a sun-drenched climate are prime attractions to this
oasis in the high desert. Outdoor recreation offers unique sites such as Hoover
Dam and the Lake Mead Recreational Area; Mount Charleston Recreation Area for
wintertime sports, campgrounds, multi-purpose trails and ghost towns; pristine
Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The cultural community in Las Vegas is flourishing in
both performing and visual arts. Newcomers will discover the finest art
exhibitions, dance, opera, symphony, or live stage theatre. Museums preserve
the area’s rich cultural heritage. Sports enthusiasts can look forward to
world-class competition in golf, rodeo, boxing, bowling, off-road and
hydroplane races. The University of Nevada Las Vegas boasts nationally ranked
teams; including the UNLV Rebels football and the championship UNLV basketball
team, the Runnin’ Rebels. Sports fans can also cheer on the outstanding AAA pro
baseball team, the Las Vegas 51s.
Long recognized as one of the nation’s most popular
vacation destinations, Las Vegas is emerging as a first-rate center for
business and residential development. A recent study released by economist
Howard J. Wall at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis ranked Las Vegas as the
nation’s “most livable metropolitan area.” The study used a rational index to
compare nearly 60 metropolitan areas with a population over one million. One of
the primary indicators followed statistics on newcomers who moved into a
metropolitan area and were so satisfied that they decided to remain.
Any newcomers to the Las Vegas Valley who only recall the
city as it appeared a decade ago will have difficulty recognizing the urban
landscape. In just a single decade, Clark County and Las Vegas added more than
320,000 new residents. More than half of the people living in this area today
were not residents 10 years ago. During this same timeframe, a dozen
world-class resorts had their grand openings along The Strip.
The historic Fremont Street area transformed into a
dazzling pedestrian mall complete with entertainment and a laser-lighted
canopy. Characterized by phenomenal
prosperity, the Las Vegas Valley claims an even brighter future. This gleaming
desert jewel is still a fertile place where the individual can be a moving
force that makes the right things happen.