A request by a member of PAVED for $19,853 to attend a trade show in California was rejected by the Nye County Commission Tuesday.

Members of Pahrump Alliance Valley Economic Development weren't united on a proposal by member Andy Alberti to send a six-member delegation to the West Coast Advanced Design and Market Place Show Jan. 29-31, 2008, in Anaheim, Calif.

Alberti's plan was to send four county representatives from Pahrump, one from Amargosa Valley or Beatty and another from northern Nye County.

They would set up a booth, estimated to cost $4,317; have printed material, costing $1,500; another $1,050 in travel costs for three vehicles; lodging costs of approximately $150 per night for a total of $3,800; and $1,500 for meals. There would be follow-up costs including $5,000 for an unspecified project manager.

Companies involved in mechanical design and manufacturing, contract packaging, production of powder and bulk solids, automation technology, electronics, plastics and distribution would be in attendance.

"The manufacturing industry has a history of creating real wealth throughout our country," Alberti said in a prepared speech. "We need to identify and recruit the companies that can employ our citizens and provide better jobs at better pay."

Alberti said he made the proposal because Pahrump officials "have never made an effort to go out and hustle and beat the bushes, so to speak."

Assistant Nye County Manager Pam Webster said two economic development entities, including EDEN Inc., haven't been given information on the proposed trip.

PAVED Chairman Al Balloqui said his board of directors couldn't come to an agreement over Alberti's proposal. He felt the proposal was excessive and lacked follow up.

EDEN has done a good job of creating a Web site, but its mission isn't to visit trade shows like this, Alberti said.

"One or two people collecting business cards and talking to manufacturers would be far more appropriate in my opinion," Elefante said.

Victoria Balint, site manager for JobConnect and a member of the Southern Nevada Workforce Investment Board, said she didn't have a chance to review the proposal.

Pahrump Town Manager Dave Richards acknowledged Pahrump has been hurt by a fragmented economic development effort.