The Pahrump Valley Rotary was hosted by Job Connect Oct. 24 for a presentation to new businesses about the various services available to help them. The 10 new businesses present learned how the Chamber of Commerce, Community College of Southern Nevada, Job Connect, town board, county commission and others can supply information that will help ensure their success.

Victoria Ballint, director of Job Connect, introduced the presenters and advised attendees that her offices are always available to help with hiring, establishing proper wage levels, developing job descriptions and more.

Town board member and state Assembly District 36 candidate Laurayne Murray said that through coordination with Job Connect and other local agencies, she was able develop this program of reaching out to new businesses to make it easier for them to succeed.

Commission Chairman Gary Hollis informed the group that opening Job Connect itself took a lot of work. There are also plans afoot to rehabilitate other buildings in the Calvada Eye to provide an improved juvenile court service and one or two courtrooms. "Two million dollars has been set aside to bring better services to the community," he said but then added, "Areas zoned open use must be put before the RPC and county commission for rezoning, which holds up businesses from opening."

Hollis said businesses should ask the commission, "What can I or the board of commissioners do to help you."

Hollis also informed the group it is thought that oil is in the Gabbs Valley, which the board hopes will bring businesses back to the area. He also said the commissioners may "not always be right in what we do, but we keep trying."

Richard Billman, chairman of the town board, added, "The board works well with the county commissioners."

Don Trudeau, from the Chamber of Commerce, said the best opportunity for networking comes from the chamber, as well as obtaining the information businesses need. The chamber gets leads every month on new services available to businesses.

Al Parker of the Rural Nevada Development Corporation advised the group that his office is a non-traditional lender for startup or existing businesses. The Nevada Small Business Development Center offers a variety of services and training, and helps with marketing, planning and more. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and can be reached by calling 751-1947.

Al Daniels, of Great Basin Community College, proposed that if businesses need access to Internet interactive services training, the college will be bringing this type of training to the curriculum soon. He also stated that there are "plans to get biology and science labs open." Training can be customized toward any particular business.

Jenny Montene, Nye County District Attorney's office, stated that the office is available to businesses in helping those who receive bad checks, as well as providing classes on identity theft.

Arbor Education and Training Corp. representative Gloria Valenzuela informed the group that their businesses are a workforce provider. Before requesting services, businesses should know what type of workforce is required. The corporation ensures employees are citizens or have a green card, proof of residence, proof of layoff, plant closure and much more.

It also has an on-the-job training program and other educational opportunities. Information on its youth program is available as well. Job fill orders are posted in the resource room and on the Internet. "I've seen a lot of lives turn around, and a lot of businesses prosper," Valenzuela said.

Ballint closed the meeting by saying that "helping businesses is the number one priority of the Rotary, and the customer is the number one priority of Job Connect."

Job Connect is located at 2101 E. Calvada Blvd. Pahrump, and can be contacted at 775-537-2323.