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    Southern Nevada Strong Summit Touts Successes, Regional Focus

    Dec. 14, 2017
    With a focus on working regionally, Southern Nevada Strong partners outlined progress over the last year at their annual half-day summit, which began with an inspiring “big ideas” keynote address from Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett.
    Related To: Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC)
    RTC
    (Left to Right): RTC General Manager Tina Quigley, Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett were among the speakers at the 2017 Southern Nevada Strong summit.
    (Left to Right): RTC General Manager Tina Quigley, Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett were among the speakers at the 2017 Southern Nevada Strong summit.

     With a focus on working regionally, Southern Nevada Strong partners outlined progress over the last year at their annual half-day summit, which began with an inspiring “big ideas” keynote address from Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, known for his city’s “pay as you go” infrastructure planning and execution.

    The event, attended by 160 leaders and stakeholders in the Desert Living Center at the Springs Preserve, highlighted SNS collaborative efforts to plan, create and sustain neighborhoods by advancing important regional projects. A notable accomplishment is the launch of the UNLV School of Medicine, considered an economic driver that regional partners advanced together. The medical school will contribute to economic prosperity on several fronts and will impact the region for generations to come.

    “Southern Nevada Strong is a regional commitment to provide quality education, transportation, housing and employment opportunities via a collaborative effort — the key here, is we have to all work together,” said Tina Quigley, general manager of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), which administers the SNS regional planning effort.  “Today’s summit is an excellent opportunity to hear how our regional partnerships are flourishing and learn how other communities, like Oklahoma City, are advancing similar priorities to improve their citizens’ quality of life, ultimately enabling us to do the same for our community.”

    Cornett, one of the most recognized and honored mayors in U.S. history who is often described as the “face” of Oklahoma City’s resurgence, provided insights into how the city overcame national stigmas and outmoded planning to transform the city’s core infrastructure. Funded with sales tax mostly on a “pay as you go” basis, these projects helped elevate the city’s status, attracting new businesses and residents as well as a professional sports team, the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA team.

    The SNS Summit included several panels and speakers including:

    • UNLV President Len Jessup discussed the medical school achievement and university’s pursuit of Carnegie Tier 1 status, a prestigious classification given to the country’s top research universities. Tier 1 status can stimulate entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic vitality throughout the surrounding region.
    • RTC Director of Planning Raymond Hess presented On Board, the region’s future transit plan, which is evaluating traditional transit options, new high-capacity alternatives such as light rail, and emerging technologies in transportation.
    • Nevada HAND CEO Mike Mullin and Clark County Social Service Director Mike Pawlak addressed the current status of regional housing issues, especially access and affordability, and the connection to opportunities and the workforce. They cited how three nonprofits banded together to develop a $47 million project to build 264 affordable apartments near Boulder Highway with a Boys & Girls Club, charter school and easy access to jobs and shopping via the RTC transit system.
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