Legislative session gives boost to local businesses

Coffee shop owner June Joplin is eagerly awaiting the start of the 2005 Nevada Legislature. But it's not only because she's a fan of the political process.

For Joplin and other business owners in this state capital of just 52,000 people, the impending session signals a much-needed financial shot in the arm.

"Business at least doubles," said Joplin, who runs Comma Coffee across the street from the legislative building. "This year, I'm really banking on that."

Joplin isn't alone.

Commerce in the capital has been slowed by wintry weather in January, so for some store owners the Legislature's Feb. 7 start can't come soon enough.

When the 63-member Legislature meets every two years, it brings with it at least 1,000 people over the 120-day session. That includes at least 800 lobbyists who may stay in town anywhere from one night to all four months. Of those, at least 200 can be found roaming legislative hallways each working day and pumping up the local economy by night.

The Legislative Counsel Bureau, which does research for lawmakers, also hires more than 200 extra people for the session, though many come from around the area, said Lorne Malkiewich, bureau director.

All the newcomers mean extra revenue for restaurants, hotels, bars, dry cleaners and other businesses.

"We suddenly are faced with an influx," said Larry Osborne, chief executive of the Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce. "It's a major boon to the Carson City economy."

But Osborne said he cautions businesses against the tendency to rely too heavily on the revenue.

"We also remind businesses, don't count on this because it's only every other year," he said. "This is like icing on the cake, a chance for Carson City to pick up after slow times."

Though Osborne doesn't have exact figures, he estimates Carson City's economy sees a $3 million to $7 million bump during the session. The money spent while lawmakers are in session will change hands from three to five times over the next six months, compared with a normal turnover rate of 1 1/2 to two times, Osborne said.

"It's a great time of year for us," said Dixie Dickerson, general manager of Hardman House Inn and Suites. "Our business goes up 25 percent."

Others see slightly smaller increases. Charlie Abowd, owner of Adele's Restaurant and Lounge, in Carson City for 28 years, said he gets a 15 percent increase in customers.

"It's significant," he said. "It's the support staff and families that really make that big impact."

The downtown area proves most lucrative for many businesses. For them, it's all about location.

Doug Cramer's Mom & Pop's Diner is just a couple of minutes' walk from the Legislature and that proximity can mean double the customers for the eatery.

"Basically I see a horde of people walking across the street," Cramer said. "They're mostly in suits and ties. They're very hungry. And they're in a hurry. They all order the same thing sometimes."

Mark Frady, manager of Mercury Cleaners, also within walking distance of the legislative building, said business picks up about 10 percent or so every two years though patronage has slowed the past few sessions over what it used to be.

"Dry cleaning has become a luxury that a lot of people try to avoid," he said. To lure the lawmakers, Frady offers discounts and free pickup and delivery.

Dwight Millard, owner of the Plaza Hotel just down the street from lawmakers' daily headquarters, also offers discounts. Last July, he opened 30 extended-stay rooms, complete with living rooms and kitchens, for those who plan to stay until June. He already has reservations for nearly one-third of all the hotel's 168 rooms.

During the session, Millard said his business doubles, but figuring the discounts his revenue will increase from 60 percent to 70 percent.

"Some will cancel. Some will find a house or apartment instead," he said.

Like Millard, Joplin also makes some changes when the session comes to town. She's hired two extra workers and anticipates longer hours late in the session.

"As it goes on it gets more intense" for the lawmakers, Joplin said. "Their days get longer, so we start lengthening our hours. They have 16-, 18-, 20-hour days " and so do we."