Nevada's two most admired companies

The two most admired companies in Nevada are Harrah's Entertainment and the MGM Mirage, according to Fortune magazine's 2006 list. Nevada's crown jewels continue to be gaming corporations based in Las Vegas.

Much of the world looks to Nevada's most populous county, recent state numbers peg Clark at $1.7 million, as the pinnacle of gaming success. In the hotel/gaming/resort industry, Harrah's and the MGM ranked third and fourth behind Marriott International and Hilton Hotels. A hot topic: How these admired companies find the top talent.

To check out the top 20 list, and the contenders, visit the CNN money site at http://money.cnn.com/ and scroll down to the Fortune icon. Also check out the "Best Places to live" for 2005. Gardnerville and Reno were contenders. Gardnerville, a city with a population of about 23,000, has a median home price of $285,000, just below the average for the top-ranked cities.

St. Mary's Art Center will begin an Outback Express for tourists and locals who want to get out and paint Nevada scenery.

"The plein air outdoors painting has become such a big deal, so we wanted to add to the experience and provide artists with a dinner and class," said Mimi Patrick, president of the art center board.

Class participants will be driven out into the "boondocks somewhere" for painting, a chuck wagon dinner, music and sleeping under the stars. All ranges of artists are welcome. The first class will be in June. The price hasn't been set yet. For information, call 847-7774.

The Nevada Commission on Economic Development awarded more than $200,000 in February to three new companies coming to Nevada and two businesses that will be expanding their operations in the Silver State.

Powered by Renewables of Nevada and SunEdison of Maryland will develop the world's largest solar-energy project in Clark County.

Peter Lik USA is in the process of moving its headquarters from Australia to Las Vegas. The move will create 21 new jobs in Nevada. Lik created Peter Lik USA Inc. to maintain and manage photo galleries throughout the United States and Australia that contain his work.

SC Circuits Inc. will move its operations to Clark County. The company is a high-tech circuit board manufacturer with customers around the world.

American Salvage Inc. is a joint venture between two Northern Nevada businesses, American Salvage, a mobile scrap metal processor, and Sunshine Truck Scales and Recycling, a metal salvage yard. American Salvage Inc. provides Reno/Sparks residents with a convenient location to take all recyclable metal goods.

Founded in 1999, Pro Line Printing services the newspaper insert advertising needs of national and regional retailers. In fewer than five years, the company has grown from one press to 17 in four plants across the country including one in Reno that opened in 2004. To continue adequately servicing their clients, the company will expand and open a new press line in Reno. This new press will create 24 new jobs in Nevada.

Greater Nevada Credit Union chose KAHL to furnish its new administration headquarters in Carson City. KAHL has provided Northern Nevada with office furniture planning, supply and management services for the last five years.

The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration awarded $220,704 to Nevada to provide mine safety, health training and education to miners. The grant is part of more than $7.9 million in grants that the administration began distributing in fiscal year 2006.

"The recent mining tragedies in West Virginia underscored the importance of safety training and education for America's miners," said Acting Administrator David Dye. "This grant money will enable thousands of miners to become even better prepared to deal with the conditions they encounter in their work."

Paul M. Laxalt is the new co-owner and chief executive officer of JLH Direct Mail Marketing Co. with Chris Fleiner, current president and co-owner. Founded more than 22 years ago, JLH is the largest direct mail marketing firm in Northern Nevada. Based in Sparks, it mails across the United States, Canada and abroad.

Laxalt, a fifth-generation Nevadan, has a family name that has become synonymous with the Silver State. His uncle, Paul D. Laxalt, is a former governor of Nevada and served as a U.S. Senator. Laxalt's other uncle, Robert Laxalt, now deceased, founded the University of Nevada Press and was a famous Nevada author.

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