Nevada Grow Program Takes on First Group of Local Businesses

Experts will provide services and guidance to local businesses looking to expand

 LAS VEGAS, June 28, 2016 – The Nevada Grow program, funded by the 2015 Legislature and designed to bolster local small businesses, has selected a handful of locally owned businesses after a thorough application process.

The businesses, which range from cafes to virtual office assistants, are located across southern Nevada. Many are minority or women owned, as well.

“Nevada Grow is part of a common-sense approach to economic growth in Nevada,” said Assemblywoman Dina Neal, principal author of the program’s legislation. “This economic gardening program will help stimulate investment in the state’s economy by providing technical assistance to expanding businesses.”

The program is a partnership between CSN, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the Latin Chamber of Commerce, the Urban Chamber of Commerce of Las Vegas, the Nevada Small Business Development Center, CSN’s Division of Workforce and Economic Development, and the Clark County Business License Office.

“Community colleges are the engines of workforce development,” said CSN President Michael Richards. “Our state’s future depends on an educated workforce, and CSN will be here to help provide it.”

The Legislature created the program to help local small businesses grow through the strategic use of data, mentoring, business plan development and other assistance. Representatives from each business meet with an assigned counselor from the Nevada Small Business Development Center to discuss their goals and how to meet them. Based on these goals, the businesses work with the center, CSN’s Division of Workforce and Economic Development, the Latin Chamber and the Urban Chamber to get the necessary mentoring and training needed to achieve the goals.

Experts from these groups, as well as the Valley Center Opportunity Zone, the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension in Clark County, Applied Analysis and incorporated cities in Clark County, are part of a stakeholder group that will manage the project and ensure the businesses receive access to a variety of services.

Denette Braud, owner of the Funnel Cake Cafe, said she sought help from the experts in the program because she wants to expand the business, which she’s run for nine years. For now, she operates a food truck. She has plans to open a retail store.

“I don’t want to go into it without knowing all the steps I’ll need to take. There’s so much involved, there’s so much to learn,” Braud said. “We’re very busy, but it’s time to take it to the next level.”

The businesses accepted into the program and receiving support are:

  • CapM Funding
  • Dot’s Southern Kitchen
  • Gritz Café
  • HERServices
  • Imagine & Create
  • Paper and Home
  • Paragon Development Group
  • Prodajsa USA Inc.
  • Strut’n
  • The Funnel Cake Café
  • TheOfficeSquad
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