Many of you associate the revival of the Pahrump Arts & Recreational Complex (PARC) project, formerly the Fairground, with PAVED (Pahrump Alliance for Valley Economic Development).

The benefits to Pahrump's "quality of life" from this complex are significant, especially for the employment opportunities for youth and adults. Upon complete build-out approximately 400 direct and indirect jobs will be created, together with the additional cluster developments that will follow.

This vital project is a fraction of what PAVED contributes to Pahrump. We are just approaching our first anniversary so appreciate this opportunity to introduce our goals and ask for your help. PAVED is the town's official economic development organization; we are here to support all local businesses.

PAVED is responsible for compiling information, demographics and dealing with inquiries received from companies attracted to expanding their workforce in Pahrump. Check our Web site: www.PahrumpEDO.com.

The commencement of the PARC project with the prospect of creating employment and providing locals with a huge recreational area is exhilarating yet frustrating with the delays.

You may have read articles in the PVT explaining the challenges that Pahrump is experiencing due to the failure of Nye County to complete a valleywide Desert Tortoise Low-Effect Habit Conservation Plan, or HCP. It is believed that Commissioner Butch Borasky has taken the lead, with the cooperation of his peers, in finally addressing this crucial issue affecting Pahrump.

The approved HCP would save Nye County mandated fees for county expansion projects and locally benefit the Homestead Road capital improvements. The lack of an approved HCP has also been the obstacle preventing the PARC project from acquiring $700,000 in approved HUD Grants, which will be used to develop the infrastructure.

We are raring to start the PARC project, which will benefit your children and the generations to come.

If you are interested in becoming involved, please call us at PAVED. Many hands make light work. We have a volunteer team waiting to hear from you and help make this vision a reality.

We are anxious to get that old sign down and proclaim breaking ground of the project. First phase is the memorial waterside walkway, where you will be able to plant a tree, sponsor a family bench or lay a brick in the pathway. Walk, exercise or picnic in the shade looking at the majestic mountains. There will be a seniors' playground, children's area and a pet park, so you can bring the entire family.

PAVED, in order to support local commerce, is working to raise funding through a USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant to assist local companies expand their workforce. In this economy we need to concentrate on local industries' expansion and job retention.

PAVED was successful last year in raising grant funds to write and instruct classes titled "Permission vs. Forgiveness," which are aimed at assisting new or expanding companies to traverse their way through local entitlement processes. The plan is to expand our local employment base. We are simplifying procedures through collaboration of the county, planning and other entities, involved in the process. We will run a second class in the spring.

Many of our members volunteer their time and expertise to be ambassadors for Pahrump. Please consider joining our team and using your experience to assist others. By collecting skill bases from many areas, we can pool our resources and help to move Pahrump forward. We have relationships with many local groups, including PVCC, EDEN Inc, RNDC, SNWIB, GBC and town advisory boards.

PAVED hosts open meetings the second Tuesday of the month at the Bob Ruud Center, at 5 p.m. We invite local business owners to talk about their companies or themselves; everyone has a story of how they moved here. Plus you will be in the front line to hear about companies opening in Pahrump. "Heard about the Homestead Café coming soon?"

We are funded by grants, sponsorship and donations. Please consider investing in the future of Pahrump. Call me with any questions. Offer your time to assist in the office, or on a committee.

Mary Balloqui, economic development programs manager, 775-537 2778, www.PahrumpEDO.com or e-mail info@ PahrumpEDO.com.