In this episode of the Connect Vegas Podcast, host Ben Laifsky interviews Andrew Woods, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The conversation explores how applied economic research shapes decision-making across Southern Nevada, from population forecasting to long-term infrastructure planning. Woods explains the center’s role as a bridge between academic economics and real-world application, supporting government, business, and community stakeholders with data-driven insights.

The discussion covers Las Vegas’s growth trajectory, including demographic shifts, housing and land constraints, and the increasing importance of international migration. Woods emphasizes the need for long-term thinking, economic diversification, and a cohesive regional vision to sustain quality of life. He also discusses how emerging forces like AI, economic shocks, and policy changes impact forecasting and planning. The episode blends technical economic analysis with a human-centered perspective on how policy, data, and community intersect.

Key Highlights

• The Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) acts as an applied economics “consultant for the public,” translating academic research into actionable insights.
• Las Vegas has grown from ~330,000 residents in 1975 to ~2.4 million today, with long-term forecasting playing a central role in planning.
• Population growth is increasingly driven by international migration, particularly from Asia, rather than domestic migration alone.
• Southern Nevada is projected to add roughly 340,000 residents over the next 20 years, though this is subject to policy and migration trends.
• Key constraints facing the region include land availability, infrastructure capacity, and maintaining quality of life amid growth.
• Economic diversification remains a critical challenge, with healthcare, manufacturing, and tech identified as potential growth sectors.
• Las Vegas is particularly vulnerable to economic shocks due to reliance on consumer spending and tourism.
• The “Brews and Economic Views” series fosters dialogue between academics, business leaders, and the public in an informal setting.
• AI is expected to increase productivity and demand for skilled labor rather than simply replace jobs, especially in knowledge industries.
• A major gap identified is the lack of a unified long-term vision for the region’s economic future.

Notable Quotes

• “Think of us like consultants, but on behalf of the taxpayer.”
• “We’re really susceptible in terms of our growth to who is moving here and what is that demographic.”
• “It’s like adding another city of Henderson in the next ten, fifteen, twenty years.”
• “We shouldn’t be the poster child for the highest unemployment rate every time something like this happens.”
• “I think one of our deficits is we don’t think long term enough.”
• “If the challenges are created by humans, then the solutions are going to be man-made as well.”
• “It’s better to fail conventionally than succeed unconventionally.” (referencing John Maynard Keynes)
• “We’re preparing to do more, not less, with AI.”

Here’s a summary of Episode 9 of the Connect Vegas podcast featuring Karen Alonso, Vice President of Marketing for United Way of Southern Nevada:

Highlights:

1. Karen Alonso's Role and Impact: Karen Alonso oversees marketing and leads the Women United Affinity Group at United Way of Southern Nevada, focusing on community impact through three pillars: student success, workforce development, and crisis support.
2. United Way’s Local Programs: The organization offers crucial programs like Project Reach (utility assistance for seniors) and Nevada Ready Pre-K (free preschool for children from low-income families), serving over 225,000 people in Southern Nevada last year.
3. Challenges in Marketing Nonprofits: Karen explains how marketing nonprofit organizations requires compassion and storytelling to show donors the direct impact of their contributions, which can be a challenge for nonprofits with limited budgets.
4. Women United Affinity Group: Karen leads the Women United group, which funds scholarships for female high school seniors attending Nevada colleges. The group also organizes community volunteer efforts and networking events.
5. Career Background: Karen shared her career journey, starting in New Jersey, transitioning from studying biochemistry to marketing, and eventually moving to Las Vegas to work with nonprofits, where she found her passion in impacting the local community.
6. Fundraising and Storytelling: Karen emphasizes the importance of storytelling to connect with donors and secure funding, highlighting United Way’s role in vetting local nonprofits and helping tackle community challenges on a broad scale.
7. New Grant for Language Access: Karen discusses a recent $1 million federal grant to support non-English speakers, which will provide resources to ensure they can access United Way’s programs, enhancing inclusivity in Southern Nevada.
8. Advice for Nonprofits: She encourages nonprofits to focus on compelling storytelling to stand out in a crowded market, emphasizing the importance of showing donors how their contributions make a tangible difference.

In this episode, host Ben Laifsky interviews Leah Martin, a prominent business attorney and principal of Leah Martin Law. Leah shares her professional journey, insights into business law, her love for networking, and her personal interests. With offices in Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Reno, Leah’s firm specializes in supporting businesses at all stages, from formation to growth and litigation. She also highlights her passion for helping businesses succeed through tailored legal strategies.

The conversation dives into Leah’s upbringing, career development, and love for hiking and reading, as well as her involvement in community organizations and networking groups. The episode balances professional advice with personal anecdotes, making it a valuable listen for business owners and professionals alike.

Highlights

Professional Insights

• Business Law Services: Leah’s firm handles business formation, licensing, contracts, trademarks, estate planning, and litigation.
• Client Relationships: The firm values collaboration, working closely with clients to tailor solutions to their unique needs.
• Contracts Matter: Leah emphasizes the importance of well-drafted contracts to avoid costly litigation.
• Common Misconceptions: Business attorneys aren’t just for bad news—they are crucial for growth and strategic planning.

Personal Background

• Early Life: Leah grew up in small towns in Indiana and Nevada, fostering creativity and independence.
• Career Path: Inspired by books like those by John Grisham, Leah pursued law but shifted from environmental law to business law after exploring various legal fields.
• Hiking Enthusiast: Leah enjoys hikes in the Las Vegas area, citing Lone Mountain and River Mountain Trail as favorites.
• Avid Reader: Leah recommends books like The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod and Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell to inspire productivity and balance.

Networking and Community

• Active Networker: Leah is involved in chambers of commerce, including Leadership Henderson, which she credits for deep professional and personal connections.
• Nonprofit Support: She praises organizations like Project Marilyn and the CARE Complex for their impactful community work.

Personal Philosophy

• Leah encourages taking action toward goals, advocating for incremental steps to achieve success.