Henderson: Economy

Major Industries and Commercial Activity

For most of Henderson's short history, the city has been a manufacturing center. Though its beginnings were fast and furious as a magnesium producer for World War II efforts, Henderson's economy today has diversified. The city is still a manufacturing center and a producer of metals and industrial chemicals, but its diversification includes a competitive marketplace for communications technology.

In the past two decades, city leaders, businesses, and the community have been working together to diversify the city's economy with aggressive programs to attract modern industries. The top industries showing growth in Henderson are education services, medical and biomedical technology, the supplier industry, and computer and electronic transfer. In addition, businesses that service senior citizens are sprouting up in the area as more seniors relocate there.

A modern "boom town," Henderson's growth shows no signs of slowing, as city estimates count nearly 6,000 people moving to the region each month. Major corporations with large offices or headquarters in Henderson include Levi Strauss & Company, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Ford Credit, and Good Humor-Breyers. Henderson's growing community and highly favorable business climate continues to attract businesses to the area.

Due only in part to Henderson's proximity to Las Vegas, it goes without saying that a large portion of economic gain stems from the tourism and services industry.

Items and goods produced: baked goods, clothing, food products

Incentive Programs—New and Existing Companies

Several city and state programs are available to assist new, current, or expanding businesses in the City of Henderson.

Local programs

The City of Henderson can offer partial exemption from public utilities license or franchise fees for gas or electricity; businesses must meet stringent requirements to take advantage of this program. The city's department of economic development staff, along with community resource partners, work together to provide relocating or expanding businesses with needed resources. The city's Redevelopment Agency, as part of the Downtown Investment Strategy plan, offers development incentives via grants, low-interest loans, and other financing to businesses for building improvements, equipment, start-up capital, and other expenses; two of the most successful programs are the Facade Improvement Program and the Revolving Loan Fund.

State programs

A variety of state programs exist for new, expanding, or established businesses in Henderson. The Sales Use and Tax Abatement Program offers tax breaks on eligible machinery and equipment for businesses with operations that are consistent with the state's economic diversification and development plans. The Sales and Use Tax Deferral Program defers taxes on qualifying equipment purchases of more than $100,000. Personal Property Tax Abatements are available for qualified new businesses.

Job training programs

The Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation offers a variety of job training services to both employers and job seekers, including applicant recruitment and screening, tax credit benefits, training programs and career enhancement programs, and labor market information. The Train Employees Now (TEN) program, administered by the State of Nevada Commission on Economic Development, helps new and expanding firms by providing intensive skills-based training programs tailored to the company's needs. The TEN program utilizes training providers such as local businesses and community colleges. The Family Support Center at Nellis Air Force Base offers job information and employer connections to spouses and family members of base personnel. A variety of programs exist through the area's educational institutions.

Development Projects

According to the city's office of economic development, 18 companies either expanded their existing facilities or established new ones—each developing or adding square footage of 5,000 feet or more—in Henderson in 2003. Of those 18 companies, seven were manufacturing operations; the others are made up of services, software, educational, and office or headquarter space.

The Henderson Redevelopment Agency was created in 1995 and utilizes tax increment financing funds for projects in three designated areas of Henderson: downtown, Tuscany, and Cornerstone. In 2005 a variety of projects had set construction start dates or were already underway as part of the city's redevelopment plans, among those are projects totaling more than 230,000 square feet of residential, retail, and office space. A new amphitheater was under construction in the Water Street District, the city's arts and culture center. Other Water Street improvements include sidewalk expansions and beautification of pedestrian areas.

The Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas opened in 2003 in the new resort development area of Lake Las Vegas in Henderson. A spectacular, European villa-style hotel and spa, the hotel offers beautiful views from its 8 floors and 349 rooms. The hotel's $500 million price tag includes a 25,000 square foot full-service spa; two championship golf courses; a pool; 33,000 square feet of banquet, meeting, and ballroom space; and a 40,000 square foot casino.

In January 2005 ground broke on The Pinnacle, a $2 million, mixed-use structure on Water Street in downtown. The Pinnacle is expected to be finished in summer of the same year, and will offer a coffeehouse and bakery on the ground floor, with offices on the second and third floors. Parkline Lofts, under development in early 2005, is a loft-style, 65-unit condominium development in a targeted downtown redevelopment area. Water Street South, expected to be finished by the end of 2005, will consist of 30,400 square feet of retail and office space.

Economic Development Information: City of Henderson Economic Development, 240 Water Street, Henderson, NV 89009; telephone (702)267-1650.

Commercial Shipping

Southern Clark County is the hub of an extensive transportation network serviced by three highway corridors: Interstate 15, U.S. Highway 95, and U.S. Highway 93. More than 50 motor freight carriers serve the area. In addition, a variety of warehousing and support services are available in Clark County, including foreign trade zone accommodations, packaging support, and U.S. customs service. McCarran International Airport handles in excess of 600,000 pounds of arriving and departing cargo. McCarran International Air Cargo Center offers cargo storage and handling and operates in a designated Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ). Union Pacific Railroad runs northeast/southwest through Clark County, linking the area to markets in most states.

Labor Force and Employment Outlook

Henderson's rapid population expansion in the last several decades especially means that local businesses experience no shortages of labor supply. Area businesses draw from a southern Nevada workforce of more than 800,000 people. Additionally, the array of vocational and technical trade schools, higher education institutions, and opportunities for customized training programs enhance both business and employment prospects.

The following is a summary of data regarding the Henderson (including Las Vegas-Paradise) metropolitan area labor force, 2004 annual averages.

Size of nonagricultural labor force: 811,700

Number of workers employed in . . .

natural resources and mining: 400

construction: 88,100

manufacturing: 23,200

trade, transportation and utilities: 140,000

information: 10,200

financial activities: 46,000

professional and business services: 95,400

educational and health services: 53,900

leisure and hospitality: 247,600

other services: 23,500

government: 83,100

Average hourly earnings of production workers employed in manufacturing: $14.60 (Nevada average)

Unemployment rate: 4.2% (Las Vegas-Paradise; January 2005)

Cost of Living

Henderson's cost of living, as well as its housing prices, are somewhat above the national average.

The following is a summary of data regarding several key cost of living factors for the Henderson area.

2004 (3rd Quarter) ACCRA Cost of Living Index: 113.3 (U.S. average = 100.0)

2004 (3rd Quarter) ACCRA Average House Price: $353,798

State income tax rate: None

State sales tax rate: 7.5%

Local income tax rate: None

Local sales tax rate: 7.5%

Property tax rate: 2.9027-2.9468 (depending on tax district) per $100 assessed value (2005)

Economic Information: Sierra Pacific Power Company Economic Development; Grant Sims, Economic Development Manager; phone (775)834-3716; fax (775)834-3384; email [email protected]. City of Henderson Economic Development, 240 Water Street, Henderson, NV 89009; telephone (702)267-1650

Henderson: Recreation

Sightseeing

Less than 20 miles southeast of Henderson is the Hoover Dam. A National Historic Landmark, and recognized as one of America's Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the dam entertains more than a million visitors and tour-goers annually. Lake Mead National Recreation Area in nearby Boulder City offers opportunities for a leisurely afternoon outdoors or multi-day, multi-activity trips, and dinner or dinner-and-dance cruises are available on a Mississippi-style paddlewheeler.

Ghost towns of the Old West are popular tourist destinations; several exist within an hour's drive of the city. EthelM. Chocolates, a mainstay in Henderson though originating in Tacoma, Washington, offers tours of the chocolate factory (samples included) and the botanical cactus gardens on its grounds.

Arts and Culture

Henderson's Veterans Memorial Wall on Water Street honors not only those who have fought for their country, but those who played a part in Henderson's heritage. The wall was dedicated in 2004 and is inscribed with more than 1,000 names.

The Clark County Museum tells the story of southern Nevada in a variety of exhibits, including prehistoric dioramas, Native American collections, a walk-in mine, and a pueblo. Heritage Street, an outdoor exhibit of the museum, offers a look at the structures and homes of the early 1900s, including a replicated newspaper print shop, historic homes, and the 1932 Boulder City Depot. The Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum at the airport tells of the history of aviation in the region.

The Nevada Chamber Symphony, founded in 1985, presents four concerts and a holiday pops series each season. Many performances are free at a variety of venues, some outdoors, throughout the city.

The Arts Council of Henderson, a nonprofit group, works to bring arts programming to Henderson residents. One of the Council's ventures is the annual Nevada Shakespeare in the Park, presented in cooperation with the city of Henderson, American Nevada Corporation, and the Clark County School District. Shakespeare in the Park presents one play per season over one October weekend, with a performance each day. An Elizabethan Festival precedes each daily performance. Theatre in the Valley presents community theater in a season of four to five shows per year.

Festivals and Holidays

The St. Patrick's Day Parade and Block Party, celebrating 39 years in 2005, is celebrated in March in downtown Henderson. For nearly a week in April the FLW Outdoors EverStart Series offers fishing competition action at Lake Mead. In late April at the Lake Las Vegas Resort, crews compete in the Dragon Boat Race and Festival. ArtFest happens over Mother's Day weekend in May in downtown Henderson's Water Street district, featuring more than 200 artists, music, food, and fun kids' events. Also in May, Bon Appetit magazine spends the weekend at several area hotels and resorts, offering culinary demonstrations, wine tastings, brunches, and dinners during the Annual Bon Appetit Wine & Spirits Focus. Fourth of July events and fireworks happen citywide. September features the Super Run Car Show, with car cruises and drag racing, concerts, and food at Water Street and various locations throughout the city. The Nevada Silverman, an iron-distance triathlon event in November, offers spectators and participants views of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Sports for the Spectator

While no sports teams reside in the city of Henderson, nearby Las Vegas offers enthusiasts many opportunities to cheer for their favorite sports. The Las Vegas 51s, triple A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, play minor league baseball at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. The AFL's Las Vegas Gladiators play professional indoor football at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Las Vegas Wranglers, members of the ECHL Division, also play at the Thomas & Mack Center. The new Las Vegas Strikers of the National Premier Soccer League play at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex. The University of Las Vegas offers collegiate sporting events in baseball, soccer, football, and basketball. The Las Vegas Moter Speedway offers NASCAR and other motor sports events. High-profile boxing matches are often scheduled in Las Vegas.

Sports for the Participant

Henderson and nearby areas are an outdoor lover's paradise. The city of Henderson offers visitors 621 acres of outdoor opportunities in 40 parks—Henderson's parks and recreation system is nationally recognized. Among Henderson's outdoor amenities in the park system and beyond are 42 ballfields, 50 tennis courts, more than 11 miles of trails, and 10 golf courses. The city of Henderson's bird viewing preserve is a 147-acre migratory bird and wetland area featuring basins, ponds, and lagoons; signs, kiosks and nature trails guide visitors.

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area consists of a man-made lake in a massive crater created during the building of the Hoover Dam, offering opportunities for boating, swimming, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, and fishing. Bootleg Canyon, also in Boulder city, is heralded as one of the best mountain biking spots in the U.S. and offers more than 20 miles of challenging terrain. Red Rock Canyon, a 197,000-acre National Conservation Area, presents a variety of outdoor opportunities, including hiking and biking trails, rock climbing, a visitor's center with interpretive programs, and Spring Mountain State Park. Ten area golf courses beckon year-round.

Shopping and Dining

The Galleria at Sunset mall is anchored by Dillard's, Robinsons May, JCPenney, and Mervyn's, and offers 140 stores and restaurants on two levels with fountains, skylights, and desert flowers in its indoor landscaping. The District at Green Valley Ranch, part residential development and part stylish shopping mecca, offers a "main street" shopping experience for its loft residents and visitors alike, with 40 upscale shops and restaurants on the development's street level. Shoppers looking for bargains can head to the Las Vegas Outlet Center, featuring 135 outlet shops. Shoppers in Henderson's Water Street District area will find a variety of unique shops, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. The Country Fresh Farmers Market operates throughout the spring and summer on Fridays in the Water Street District. Henderson's variety of restaurants satisfy urges for area favorites like steak and Mexican food; other tastes tempted include French, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Greek, and Thai.

Visitor Information: Henderson Convention and Visitors Bureau, 200 Water Street, Henderson, NV 89009; telephone (702)267-2171; toll-free (877)775-5252; fax (702)267-2177; email [email protected]

Henderson: History

Spanish Move Through Area

Spanish explorers moved through Southern Nevada in the early 1800s, discovering and naming Las Vegas as a stop on their way to California. Mormon missionaries established a settlement and built a fort in 1855 in Las Vegas but didn't stay long. In the latter half of the century, Las Vegas, and with it the area that is now Henderson, was detached from Arizona territory to become part of Nevada. Small farming communities developed, but things were quiet in the area until construction on the Boulder Dam was begun in 1931, bringing thousands to the area for work.

A City Born Overnight

Southern Nevada had but a handful of residents in the early decades of the twentieth century. Henderson, quite literally, was created almost overnight in 1941, as building began on a plant that was, at the time, a massive undertaking in the middle of desert land. Magnesium and its importance in munitions and to the brewing war were the key to the city's beginning.

In 1941 a Cleveland, Ohio manufacturer named Howard Eells and his newly formed Basic Magnesium Inc. (BMI) company signed a contract with the U.S. Defense Plant Corp. to build the Basic Magnesium Plant. Only days after signing, the government asked Eells to expand the planned site to 10 times its original size, making it 1.75 miles long and .75 miles wide, the largest such magnesium plant in the world. More than 13,000 workers—which was 10 percent of the entire state's population at the time—lived in ramshackle housing or "tent cities" until construction began on a company town in 1942. Under scrutiny for attempting to profit from the war, Eells sold BMI to Anaconda Copper Mining Co. that year. Anaconda was charged with finishing the plant, and the burgeoning city was named not after Eells, but for former senator Charles P. Henderson for his role in helping to get the plant financed and built.

For the next few years, BMI exceeded its planned production rates and employees numbered 14,000 at peak production. However, by 1947 magnesium was no longer needed for defense, the plant closed, and more than half of the employees left. Almost as quickly as the city was built, it all but disappeared. Henderson stood in danger of becoming a ghost town, and in 1947 the U.S. War Asset Administration offered the entire city for sale as war surplus property. In a brochure created to help sell the city, a description was provided that outlined the housing, streets, alleys, sanitary systems, schools, general buildings, shops, churches, and other city amenities.

Last Ditch Effort Saves City

In an effort to save Henderson, the Chamber of Commerce convinced the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce to issue an invitation to the entire Nevada Legislature to come visit Boulder Dam (now Hoover Dam). They were asked to evaluate the Basic Magnesium site and explore the possibility of construction of a power generator at the dam, which would bring new workers and provide work for those Henderson residents that remained. The plan worked—a bill was unanimously approved, giving the Colorado River Commission of Nevada authority to purchase the plant. By 1953 signs of improvement were well underway and the city was officially incorporated, with a population of 7,410 residents.

Modern Henderson Emerges

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Henderson remained a relatively small factory town. In the early 1980s, the first master planned community, Green Valley, was plotted. Henderson's population in 1980 was 24,363; by 1990 it had more than doubled, and by the end of the twentieth century Henderson had reached 175,381. Local estimates project the 2010 population will reach 310,000 as a steady stream of new residents and businesses continue to be attracted to the area. By 1999 Henderson overtook Reno as Nevada's second largest city.

The city celebrated its 50 year birthday in 2003. Henderson's unparalleled growth in the past two decades shows little signs of slowing. It's no wonder that Nevada's second largest city, with a thriving economy, master-planned communities, world-class recreation, and proximity to several of the country's national and man-made treasures, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

Historical Information: City of Henderson, City Hall, 240 Water Street, Henderson, NV 89009. Nevada State Museum & Historical Society, 700 Twin Lakes Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89107; telephone (702)486-5205

Henderson: Education and Research

Elementary and Secondary Schools

The Clark County School District serves about 250,000 students in all of Clark County—a 7,927 square mile section of Nevada—which includes the city of Henderson. Schools in the entire district total 186 elementary, 51 middle, 38 high schools, 28 alternative schools, and 8 special schools or programs. The large system is divided into five regions; the population of Henderson is served by the Southeast Region. Several grants were recently awarded the school system: the Local Plan grant provides $40 million for expansion and improvements to programs serving students with disabilities; the Gear Up program will provide $845,000 towards efforts to decrease dropout rates, raise academic achievement in the high schools, and develop college preparatory coursework; and the Library Books grant will provide $253,000 for library purchases in the elementary and secondary schools. A variety of magnet schools exist throughout the district, in addition to English as a second language programs, vocational training, language immersion, and fine arts specialties. The school district is constantly expanding; in 2002 the district reported a "typical year" as including 14,000 new students, 12-14 new schools, and 1,300 new employees.

The following is a summary of data regarding the Southeast Region of the Clark County School District public schools.

Total enrollment: 58,268 (2003-2004)

Number of facilities

elementary schools: 39

junior high/middle schools: 12

senior high schools: 9

other: 1 vocational trade center

Student/teacher ratio: 18:1 elementary; 30:1 secondary

Teacher salaries (2004-2005)

minimum: $37,354

maximum: $57,480

Funding per pupil: $5,501

Public Schools Information: Clark County School District, 2832 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89121; telephone (702)799-5011

Colleges and Universities

Henderson offers residents several major institutions of higher learning. The Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN) system, with a campus in Henderson, educates more than 30,000 students in occupational training, university transfer preparation, continuing education, developmental education, and counseling and guidance programs. CCSN's top disciplines include dental hygiene, culinary arts, computing and information technologies, resorts and gaming, nursing and other health professions, automotive technology, air conditioning, and criminal justice. The University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) in nearby Las Vegas enrolls more than 20,000 area residents and confers undergrad, graduate, and doctoral degrees. UNLV also has a School of Dental Medicine and a School of Medicine; both educate students as well as provide low-cost health care to residents. Also in Las Vegas, the International Academy of Design & Technology offers twoand four-year programs in Fashion Design, Interior Design, and Visual Communications.

Libraries and Research Centers

The Henderson District Public Libraries operates four branches throughout the city and served nearly 700,000 visitors in 2004 with holdings of about 289,000 items in all branches. The newest of the branches, the Paseo Verde Library, was constructed in 2002 and houses a Genealogy Collection, a Government Documents Collection, library administrative offices, and a Friends of Henderson Libraries Bookstore and Coffee Shop.

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District serves more than 850,000 area residents in all of Clark County with 24 branches and a comprehensive resource of informational materials. The district's Green Valley branch resides in Henderson. The Community Colleges of Southern Nevada library system, as well as the University of Nevada Las Vegas libraries, are available for public use as well.

The Desert Research Institute's (DRI) main research campus in Las Vegas carries out about 300 scientific research projects at any given time. Environmental research programs focus on three core divisions of atmospheric sciences, earth and ecosystems sciences, and hydrologic sciences. DRI maintains a library that is available to researchers and scholars. A variety of other specialized libraries and research centers are located in the area.

Public Library Information: Henderson District Public Libraries, 280 S. Green Valley, Henderson, NV 89012; telephone (702)492-7252

Henderson: Communications

Newspapers and Magazines

Henderson's only newspaper is the Henderson Home News, published weekly. The Showbiz Weekly is published in Henderson and covers local entertainment in Las Vegas. Henderson residents are also served by the daily Las Vegas Review-Journal, as well as by a variety of other publications coming from Las Vegas.

Television and Radio

Henderson's one commercial television station is a Fox network; the area is served by Las Vegas' five television stations and one cable station. No radio stations broadcast from Henderson, although residents enjoy programming from Las Vegas' 16 AM and FM channels.

Media Information: Henderson Home News, 2300 Corporate Circle, Suite 150, Henderson, NV; telephone (702)435-7700; fax (702)434-3527. Las Vegas Review-Journal, PO Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125; telephone (702)383-0211

Henderson Online

Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Available www.unlv.edu/Research–Centers/cber

City of Henderson. Available www.cityofhenderson.com

Clark County School District. Available ccsd.net

Henderson Chamber of Commerce. Available www.hendersonchamber.com

Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. Available www.lvccld.org

Las Vegas Review-Journal. Available www.reviewjournal.com

Las Vegas Sun. Available www.lasvegassun.com

Nevada State Museum and Historical Society. Available dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/docs/museums/lv/vegas.htm

This Was Nevada (internet column on Nevada History from the State of Nevada Department of Culture, originally printed in the Henderson Home News). Available dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/docs/dca/thiswas/thiswas.htm

Selected Bibliography

Armstrong-Ingram, Jackson R., Henderson, Nevada: Images of America (South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing, 2002)

Bowers, Michael W., The Sagebrush State: Nevada's history, government, and politics (Reno: University of Nevada Press, 2002)

City of Henderson, ed., An American Journey: Henderson, 50 Years (Henderson, NV: City of Henderson, 2004)

Hulse, James W., The Silver State: Nevada's heritage reinterpreted (Reno: University of Nevada Press, 2004)

Toll, David W., The complete Nevada traveler: the affectionate and intimately detailed guidebook to the most interesting state in America (Virginia City, NV: Gold Hill Pub., 2002)