Northern Nevada business briefly 8-9

Grand opening at The Lodge set for Aug. 22

The Lodge, an assisted living and memory care community, is having a grand opening celebration Saturday, Aug. 22 from 12-4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend, and company staff will be on-site to answer questions about this new senior housing community.

The Lodge will open mid-August with 61 senior assisted living and 21 memory care apartments. The Lodge Memory Care will be the first residential setting dedicated to Alzheimer's care in Carson City.

The grand opening will feature live music by the Sage Brush Boys, appetizers, children's games, and door prizes. Guests will be able to take tours, learn about the programming at The Lodge, and talk with representatives from The Lodge and Ridgeline Management Company.

The Lodge is located at 2200 E. Long St., Carson City. For this event, park in the west lot of the Gold Dust Hotel and Casino, 2171 Highway 50 East, and shuttles will be provided to take guests from the parking lot to The Lodge. For more information, call Lori Hart, community relations coordinator, at 775-283-9888.

Pat Hon joins sales staff at Millard Realty

Patricia (Pat) Hon has joined the sales staff of Millard Realty and Construction.

Hon joined the Millard group in 2005 in the development and financial area before joining the sales staff. Hon also brings 33 years experience in the local banking industry. Hon left Colonial Bank in 2005 as the Carson City president and had previously headed its commercial real estate and construction division. Hon currently is president of the Builders Association of Western Nevada, and the immediate past president of Sunset Rotary of Carson City. She is also an alumnus of the 2004 Carson City Leadership class.

Wells Fargo hiring tellers, personal bankers

Wells Fargo is increasing the number of tellers and personal bankers throughout its locations in Nevada. The company seeks to hire more 150 tellers and personal bankers statewide.

"That number includes 50 people in northern Nevada communities including Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fallon, Winnemucca and Yerington," said Wells Fargo Northern Nevada Regional President Chad A. Osorno. "Despite record unemployment in our state and challenging economic conditions, Wells Fargo is growing and hiring. Our customers want financial service and advice delivered personally and we want to ensure they receive immediate, top-notch service at all our locations."

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the company's career site: wellsfargo.com/careers and search for open positions in their community.

End of summer chamber BBQ

The next monthly mixer for the Carson City Chamber of Commerce will be an end-of-summer BBQ on Aug. 19 at 5 p.m. at the Carson City Elks Lodge #2177, 515 N. Nevada St. Admission is free for chamber members, $5 for non-members. For more information, call 882-1565.

Loans available for rural businesses

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last week announced that USDA is now accepting applications for up to $1.7 billion to fund projects that help spur business activity and economic growth in rural communities. This infusion of money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into rural businesses is designed to create and save jobs and help rural communities grow and prosper.

The funding will be made available through USDA Rural Development's Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan program, which supports the development of private businesses. Eligible applicants include cooperative organizations, corporations, partnerships, nonprofit groups; federally recognized Indian tribes, public bodies and individuals. The funds will be targeted to creating and retaining quality jobs and serving difficult to reach populations, and areas hardest hit by the current economic downturn.

USDA will accept applications for the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan program until Sept. 15, 2010, or until all funds are expended. Recovery Act funding will be available through Sept. 30, 2010. For information on eligibility criteria and for application assistance, please contact the USDA Rural Development State Office located at 1390 South Curry St., Carson City NV 89703, or call (775) 887-1222 Ext 20.

Carter joins Heritage Bank

Lindsay Carter has joined the Carson City location of Heritage Bank of Nevada as a new accounts representative.

Carter began her banking career as a teller at Irwin Union Bank in Carson City. She then moved up the ladder going from teller supervisor to the commercial loan assistant for the Carson City Branch. After a few years of pursuing other business ventures, she decided to return to the banking industry in 2008.

According to Stan Wilmoth, President and CEO of Heritage Bank, "Lindsay is a great addition to Heritage Bank. She brings exceptional customer service and banking expertise, and she is great with the customers. I encourage everyone to stop by the Carson Branch and welcome Lindsay if you have not done so already."

Shaheen Beauchamp wins Battle Mountain hospital contract

Shaheen Beauchamp Builders LLC, a commercial general contracting firm based in Carson City, has been awarded the contract to expand and renovate the emergency room and long term care facilities at Battle Mountain General Hospital. The mutli phased project will require extreme coordination to maintain the emergency room and healthcare facilities 24 hour operation. Shaheen Beauchamp Builders LLC specializes in healthcare construction including most recently work for Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare, Carson Urologists, Carson Medical Group, GI Consultants, and the Skin Cancer & Dermatology Institute. The Architect for the project is HMC Architects, Reno.

Nevada Business Connections August Meeting

Rep. Dean Heller (R) will be the guest speaker at the next monthly breakfast meeting of Nevada Business Connections, scheduled for Aug. 19 at 8 a.m. at the Gold Dust West in Carson City. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m., and cost is $20 for members or $25 for guests. Please

RSVP to NBC at 882-8306 or kris@nevadabusinessconnections.com.

Make your business more energy efficient

Business owners and managers, as well as property owners, can learn more about how they can save energy and money at two free workshops presented by the University of Nevada, Reno's Nevada Small Business Development Center Business Environmental Program, in Carson City on Aug. 11, and in Las Vegas on Aug. 18.

The seminar will provide information on how retail businesses, offices and commercial buildings can conserve energy and reduce operating costs by making changes in things such as light, ventilation and hot-water systems.

"Investments in energy efficiency outperform almost all other investments available today, often achieving 30 percent to 200 percent simple return on investment at minimal risk," said Peter Millar, Energy Management Specialist with the Nevada Small Business Development Center at the University.

The workshops will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Aug. 11 in Carson City at Western Nevada College, 2201 W. College Parkway, in the Reynolds Room 113; and 2 to 5 p.m., Aug. 18 in Las Vegas at NV Energy, 6226 W. Sahara Ave., in the Wengert Room. Although the seminars are free, interested members of the business community should register online at https://ssl.nsbdc.org/education/calendar, or by calling 866-638-7232, in order to reserve a space. Space is limited, and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.