LAS VEGAS – The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) hosted more than 250 community and business leaders at its annual State of Economic Development (SOED) event, an investor-exclusive gathering focused on advancing regional economic growth. Held at Vu Studios and presented by Wells Fargo, the program provided key insights into economic initiatives, development opportunities, and strategies shaping Southern Nevada’s economic future.
The event opened with remarks from Tom Burns, Executive Director of the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), who highlighted the state’s strategic direction for economic development. Burns emphasized GOED’s efforts in business development, innovation, and workforce training, highlighting the Debra March Center of Excellence, a partnership between the City of Henderson, College of Southern Nevada, and HAAS Automation to providing advanced manufacturing training in the region.
Burns also provided updates on key projects, including the Campus for Hope, a $200 million project to address the valley’s homeless crisis. He concluded by outlining the organization’s legislative priorities, including incentives for targeted industries, infrastructure investment, and economic diversification.
“We collectively need to embrace the Nevada way and invest in innovation in order for us to move forward on a united front,” said Burns. “We are excited to see several bill drafts moving forward in the legislature focusing on the healthcare sector, as we focus on building that industry throughout the state.”
A highlight of the event was a panel discussion featuring economic development leaders from Southern Nevada’s municipalities, moderated by LVGEA’s Vice President of Business Development, Mitch Keenan. Panelists shared updates on major projects and economic priorities within their jurisdictions, offering valuable perspectives on local and regional collaboration.
Featured projects included:
- City of Las Vegas: Economic & Urban Development Director Dina Babsky spoke about the city’s focus on redevelopment due to being landlocked, highlighting Symphony Park as an example.
- Clark County: Community & Economic Development Director Shani Coleman discussed the county’s creation of an innovation district designed to foster technology and innovation.
- City of Henderson: Economic Development & Tourism Director Jared Smith highlighted the West Henderson Hospital project as a catalyst for future medical development in the region.
- City of North Las Vegas: Senior Director of Government Affairs and Economic Development Jared Luke noted the more than $1 billion worth of projects in their pipeline and highlighted ongoing infrastructure work in Apex.
Betsy Fretwell, LVGEA’s Interim CEO, provided insights into the organization’s trajectory and her priorities during the leadership transition, which focus around “simplify, stabilize, and attraction.”
“We need to simplify and stabilize our organization. That means we’ll be getting back to the basics to create a solid foundation for our new CEO,” said Fretwell. “We’ll also renew our commitment to business attraction efforts, as we reassess and revamp our current target industries.”
Fretwell also focused on growing the region’s healthcare sector, identified as a key driver for future economic development. She outlined a 10-year healthcare vision, approved by the LVGEA Board, that positions Southern Nevada as a hub for innovation and investment in medical services. Fretwell also stressed the importance of regional collaboration in preparation for the upcoming 2025 legislative session, which will prioritize infrastructure investment and incentives for targeted industries.
At the end of the event, LVGEA took a moment to recognize outgoing LVGEA Board Chair Clark Wood for his contributions to the organization.
Attendees also received copies of LVGEA’s 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Community Map.
