Be part of the change at focus group meetings

Those who complain about Carson City's growth, or the status of the city's commercial outlets or jobs, have an opportunity to be heard by the decision makers. Focus groups for the regional Northern NVision economic development planning project begin this week. Why not take advantage of it?

The Northern NVision project was launched to determine and market the economic development assets of the seven rural Northern Nevada counties, which includes Carson City. The project is sponsored by the Northern Nevada Development Authority and Western Nevada Development District.

The focus group for Carson City residents is from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday at Western Nevada Community College's Marlette Hall.

The focus group for major employers in Carson City, Douglas County and the western portion of Lyon County is from 3-4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Plaza Hotel in the Sierra Room, 801 S. Carson St.

The young professionals focus group is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Piñon Plaza, 2171 E. Highway 50.

For the region and each county, the study will:

• Define competitive strengths and assets

• Identify appropriate industry

• Identify region and county visions

• Give an action plan to follow to spur economic growth and to make that vision a reality

The project's consulting team will present its first report on the region's assets. It will lead the focus groups and interviews with local residents, government officials, educators and business leaders.

Residents are also encouraged to take a few minutes and visit the Northern NVision Web site, www.northernNVision.org, to complete an online survey.

For information, or to RSVP for a focus group meeting, contact Ron Radil, development district executive director, at 883-7333, or Judi Bishop, development authority business development director, at 883-4413.

Business Bank Corporation, the parent company of Business Bank of Nevada (OTCBB: BBNV), announced unaudited net after-tax profits of about $1.8 million for the first quarter. Shares ended at 84 cents each compared to 43 cents per share for Q1 2005.

Company president and Chief Executive Officer John Guedry said this performance is attributed to solid performance during the first quarter and sustained increases in both loan and core deposit growth.

Loans for the quarter increased by $31 million, while year-over-year loan growth increased by more than $73 million, or about 30 percent. The company continues to generate most of its income from interest on loans, which accounts for about 86 percent of its total net-interest income.

A corporation that bought a Carson City manufacturing company was awarded $35,000 in incentives by the Nevada Commission on Economic Development this month.

Pro-Dex, which purchased Astromec, will use the award to train 35 new employees. The company provided a $32,000 match.

Four businesses were awarded more than $200,000 combined in incentives. VadaTech Inc. and Ford Motor Credit Co. will expand their existing businesses in Clark County. Independent Inc. will expand its Washoe County operation.

Pro-Dex will add 35 new jobs at the 2950 Arrowhead Drive facility over the next year. The company develops and manufactures custom fractional horsepower DC motors for the medical, aerospace and military markets.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.