Local nonprofits were recently awarded nearly $12 million in federal funds in an effort to train and employ a ready workforce in Southern Nevada.
The funding was divided, in varying amounts, among several local agencies including Nevada Partners Inc., HELP of Southern Nevada, Goodwill of Southern Nevada and others.
Workforce Connections, Southern Nevada’s workforce development board, facilitated the award for the 2016-2017 fiscal year that starts in October. The funding targets adults who are re-entering the workforce and face barriers to employment, adults who have been laid off or terminated and youth looking to strengthen their careers.
The federal funding was part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which was signed into law in 2014 and created the American Job Center system.
Workforce development boards facilitate distribution of federal funds to a local region in a strategic manner. Each state and local WDB serves as a go-between for the U.S. Department of Labor and over 2,500 American Job Centers that deliver services to workers and employers, according to the CareerOneStop website.
The Las Vegas One Stop Career Center is at 6330 W. Charleston Boulevard and four affiliate locations operate through local partner agencies.
WDBs assist in partnering local businesses with similar training needs, and target regional high-growth sectors, which often includes skill training for businesses.
“Our goal is to maximize the federal funds by reaching as many Southern Nevadans as possible with an array of services designed to help secure sustainable careers in our changing local workforce, while providing accountability and transparency to our community.” said Ardell Galbreth, Workforce Connections’ executive director.
Pizza franchise expands to Las Vegas
An existing franchisee of Dallas-based Pie Five Pizza Co. is planning a major expansion of the label across several states with locations planned for Las Vegas.
“Our first Pie Five has taken off in West Texas – we’ve brought new jobs to the area and have been really well received,” said Nathan Cage of Foodstone LLC. “When we come into these new areas, we want to be a true investment to the community. Our goal is to provide quality dining experiences and create real partnerships with our neighbors.”
Cage is planning to bring up to 16 Pie Five locations — known for creating pizzas in five minutes — to Nevada and Louisiana, according to a recent release.
That’s on top of Cage’s existing stores in Lubbock, Texas. He also has several additional locations planned for Texas in Amarillo, Odessa, Midland and Abilene, along with developments in East Texas and Texarkana. Cage is also an owner of a Wingstop restaurant in West Texas.
Pie Five Pizza Co. is a subsidiary of Rave Restaurant Group Inc. that owns, franchises and supplies over 300 Pie Five and Pizza Inn restaurants.
Franchise fees for Pie Five average $418,500 to $600,000, according to information on the Pie Five website. This cost estimate doesn’t include the cost of future rental payments or mortgage costs, if a franchisee decides to purchase their own real estate.
Momenti Spirited Ice Cream moves in on the retail market
After building a specialty manufacturing plant earlier this year, Momenti Spirited Ice Cream has now made its way onto the shelves of local retailers with its spirit-infused ice creams and sorbets.
Momenti products are now available at some Total Wine &More locations, including 730 S. Rampart Blvd. in Las Vegas and at 501 N. Stephanie St. in Henderson, as well as at Khoury’s Fine Wine &Spirits at 9915 S. Eastern Ave.
Momenti’s flavors include white Russian pecan, chocotini chip, vodka cookies and cream and others. Momenti was previously only available at its factory and in select restaurants.
“Momenti means moments in Italian, and through our super premium alcohol-infused ice creams and sorbets we hope families and friends can indulge and create special moments that will last a lifetime,” said Leif Pearson, COO of Momenti. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Total Wine &More and Khoury’s Fine Wine &Spirits as another outlet to offer our products to the great community of Southern Nevada.”
Momenti is the first factory of its kind in the U.S. In addition to its Las Vegas plant, the company is opening a wholesale distribution center in Fullerton, California.