You don’t get economic diversity simply by recruiting businesses here. Most businesses need talent, and that talent comes from an educated workforce. That’s why I would offer that higher education should be an essential component of this region’s economic diversification strategy.
The water shortage that is affecting the Colorado River and Lake Mead is definitely something to keep an eye on. As our city continues to grow very rapidly, both in number of residents and with all the new businesses transplanting here, the topic of water sustainability will become an even bigger part of living in Southern Nevada. Businesses, big and small, will have to be flexible and adjust.
I believe that the need for employees throughout the valley will be a huge challenge very soon. I know there is a current struggle with staffing businesses and with all the new projects coming to town it will only increase the amount of jobs that are available.
Going green is the biggest challenge we face. We have an enormous amount of energy shining down on us nearly 365 days a year, and it’s largely untapped. We need to do a better job of harnessing it for both residential and commercial applications. What a terrific opportunity for us to lead the nation and the world in sustainable practices.
The biggest challenge facing Southern Nevada is the shifting political climate and the plodding retraction of COVID-19 governmental restrictions.
The water shortage on the Colorado River is highest on my list. Our partners on the river basin need to join the conservation and water re-use efforts that Southern Nevada has implemented.
I believe that finding unity is one of the problems that must be addressed as we come out of the pandemic and recover as a city.
I believe inflation is the largest issue we will have to account for and the impact to consumer pricing. Wages have increased, goods and materials have increased, and shipping and freight are seeing price adjustments.
Robert Potter is the president and CEO of Affordable Concepts Inc., a general contractor based in Las Vegas specializing in design-build, site development and tenant improvement projects in the health care, office, retail, industrial and education sectors.