Jobs Forum and Ecomomic Growth

FORUM ON JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

Dear Business and Community Leaders:

You are invited to a Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth organized by USDA Rural Development at the request of Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and President Obama.  The purpose of the forum is to glean from participants their input on policy and program actions that can be taken at the federal level to assist in fueling job creation and economic growth. 

President Obama recently summoned 130 corporate executives, economists, small-business owners and union leaders to the White House to sound out ideas for accelerating job growth during the worst labor market in a generation. Now he wants to take that brainstorming idea to the people most affected.  

To that end, USDA state directors were asked to seek out the ideas of the business sector in local communities and report them to the White House, recognizing that the people closest to the problem often have the best insight into how to solve it.  As a result, forums have been organized for southern and northern Nevada.  As indicated on the agenda (see over), the forums will balance contributions from leaders in the small business, banking, and the innovation sectors with soliciting input from attendees.   Your participation is invited:

Tuesday, January 21, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Marlette Hall, 1st floor of Cedar Building
Western Nevada College
2201 West College Parkway, Carson City

 Please bring your thoughts and ideas.   Your input would be greatly appreciated.   Seating is limited to approximately 120 persons; doors will open at 12:30 p.m.   A networking hour among technology and business organizations will occur after the forum from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.  Any questions about the event may be directed to me at 775/887-1222, ext. 103, or sarah.adler@nv.usda.gov .

     Sarah Adler
Sarah Adler     
Nevada State Director    
     
Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth

Purpose:  to glean from participants their input on policy and program actions that can be taken at the federal level to assist in fueling job creation and economic growth.

Invitees:  member of the business community and educational, government, and economic development organizations focused on business development. 

Agenda

Convening of the Forum and Statement of Purpose: 
Sarah Adler, State Director, USDA Rural Development

Welcome Remarks:
Northern Nevada Forum –Dr.Carol Lange, Dean of Instruction, Western Nevada College

Congressional Members, if present


Keynote Address:  “GE Energy’s Success in Nevada: Contributing Factors”
           Mr. Brian Palmer, Vice President, GE Energy of Minden, Nevada

Audience input session in response to factors identified by Mr. Palmer

Small Business Panel:  Assisting the Engines of Job Creation
Wendell King, CPA, Bertrand and Associates
Stan Wilmoth, President, Heritage Bank of Nevada

Audience input session regarding possible actions to assist small businesses.


Innovation Panel:   Catalyzing Jobs Based in Innovation and Technology
Li Han Chan, Director of Operations, Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization
Ky Good, Managing Director, C4CUBE Business Incubator
Carlo Luri, General Manager, Bently Biofuels

Audience input session regarding possible actions to support innovation.


Synthesis of input received and concluding remarks: 
Sarah Adler & Clint Koble, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency
Members of Congress, if present.


Technology and Business Networking Event to follow in the lobby

“NIREC has paired my research team with an Entrepreneur in Residence who has decades of experience making critical business decisions. Regular interactions with our EIR are helping us focus on issues that will create both a successful product and business."

– Hampden Kuhns, Principal Investigator, DRI