The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada’s mass transit system is about to get a little greener with the help of a federal grant.
The RTC recently was awarded a $13.3 million grant through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, program by the U.S. Department of Transportation in support of the agency’s Green Fleet Procurement plan.
The Green Fleet plan calls for $20.3 million to replace about 25 older buses that are at the end of their service life with cleaner-burning compressed natural gas.
The RTC project was one of 40 around the country funded under the TIGER program. Nearly $500 million was awarded on various projects. A minimum of 20 percent was set aside for rural projects.
“For the eighth year running, TIGER will inject critical infrastructure dollars into communities across the country,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. “This unique program rewards innovative thinking and collaborative solutions to difficult and sometimes dangerous transportation problems. A great TIGER program doesn’t just improve transportation; it expands economic opportunity and transforms a community.”
Since 2009 the TIGER grant program has supported a combined $5.1 billion to 421 projects across the 50 states, along plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Island and tribal communities. The program got its beginnings from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law that year.
Demand for the grants well exceeded the available funds. According to a release by the DOT, more than $9.3 billion in funding for 585 individual projects was applied for during this round of grants. The 2016 TIGER grants go to support $1.74 billion in projects out of the nearly $500 million allocated.
The TIGER grant program supports projects that often have difficulty accessing federal funding because they are multijurisdictional and multimodal. The criteria for the 2016 awardees was focused on capital projects that “generate economic development and improves access to reliable, safe and affordable transportation,” for both urban and rural communities, according to a release from the DOT.
Restaurant corridor at MGM The Park project gets LEED Gold certification
The restaurant corridor at MGM Resorts’ The Park project was awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
“One of MGM Resorts’ strongest values is offering destinations that create exceptional guest experiences while reducing environmental impact,” said Cindy Ortega, MGM Resorts International’s chief sustainability officer. “For us, environmental responsibility is a commitment that extends across all levels of our organization. The Park exemplifies our dedication to environmental leadership in Las Vegas.”
The corridor includes several establishments including Beerhaus, Sake Rok, Bruxie and California Pizza Kitchen.
The corridor was awarded the Gold rating for its use of recycled materials. According to a written statement by MGM Resorts, all of the corridor’s furniture, shade structures, trash bins, tree grates and building structures were derived from pre- and post-consumer recycled steel.
Also, more than 85 percent of construction waste was recycled and an on-site well provides The Park’s irrigation water. There were also water-efficient features installed including point-source drippers that conserve 72 percent more water than traditional sprinklers, according to a release.
The Park, which opened in April, uses less energy by way of LED lighting, along with high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.
The recent LEED Gold certification marks the seventh such designation for the company overall.
MGM is also seeking LEED certification on T-Mobile Arena, as well as two upcoming projects, MGM National Harbor and MGM Springfield.
Miracle Mile Shops helps green education in August
The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort &Casino plans to donate all change tossed into its fountain and rainstorm feature in August to support the expansion of green energy in Nevada.
The Clean Energy Project, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit that seeks to grow the clean energy economy and develop jobs in Nevada and throughout the West through policy development, will be the receiver of the feature’s funds.
In recognition of the collection, the fountain will glow green between regularly scheduled water shows throughout August. The fountain shows take place on the hour from noon to 11 p.m.
The indoor rainstorm attraction features thunder, lightning, fog and pouring rain. That feature, nearby the fountain, runs at the top of the hour from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday and every half-hour Friday-Sunday.
The partnership is part of the Miracle Mile Shops’ ongoing Caring, Giving, Changing campaign. That effort raises funds for nonprofit programs and organizations through community sponsorships, partnerships and several cash and in-kind donations.
Clark County Association of Health Underwriters install new president
Heidi Sterner has been installed as the new president of the Clark County Association of Health Underwriters. Sterner has been a licensed health and life insurance producer for more than 20 years and is employed by Leavitt Group Benefits Services.
She has served on the CCAHU board of directors for five years as the chair of the Legislative Committee. She serves on the Nevada State AHU board of directors as the Legislative chair, as the National Association of Health Underwriters Region VIII Legislative chair and the NAHU Legislative Council.
The National Association of Health Underwriters represents 100,000 professional health insurance agents and brokers who provide insurance for millions of Americans. For more information or a list of 2016-2017 CCAHU board of directors, email Brian McEvilly at brian@glbins.com.
LAS VEGAS FIRM Right Lawyers to expand into Henderson market
Right Lawyers, a Las Vegas-based divorce and custody law firm, has opened its second office at 170 S, Green Valley Parkway, No. 300, in Henderson.
The state-of-the-art facility offers residents the opportunity to receive expert guidance in the areas of family law and divorce. Right Lawyers also will offer Henderson clients services such as division of property, spousal support and child custody. For information online, visit henderson.rightlawyers.com.