By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
The Progress celebrated the grand opening of its Mesquite office location with a special ribbon cutting ceremony held on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 14. A crowd of about 30 people attended the event to see the new office located on the upper level of the Bank of Nevada building at 11 W. Pioneer Blvd.
The crowd included many City officials, business owners and representatives from local organizations. The group gathered on the upper outdoor patio to officially welcome the newspaper, formerly an all-Moapa Valley publication, to Mesquite. The newspaper rebranded to “The Progress” in March of 2020 as it added full coverage of the Virgin Valley to its already-existing Moapa Valley news lineup.
“I have had ‘experts’ in the newspaper business tell me that I should be separating into two publications: one for each valley,” said The Progress owner/editor Vernon Robison in a brief address to the crowd.
“But that just doesn’t feel right to me in this case. There is much more that the two communities have in common than separate. And I believe that both our readers and our advertisers are better served by taking this unified approach.”
Mesquite Mayor Al Litman cut the ribbon saying how please he is that The Progress has been operating in Mesquite. Litman said that the City of Mesquite had been without a “real newspaper” for quite some time.
“So a couple of years ago when Vernon’s father Ace Robison had approached me, asking about the idea of having The Progress cover news in Mesquite, I was completely supportive of it,” Litman said. “The city needs a reliable newspaper like The Progress and I’m glad that they are here.”
Robison expressed appreciation for the community support that the paper had received since expanding to the Virgin Valley. “The City and the Chamber and the business community have been so supportive of us!” Robison said. “So it feels good to finally be here and have an actual office location here in Mesquite.”
Mesquite Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Carol Kolson, who officiated and sponsored the ribbon cutting, said that she was doubly-pleased to have The Progress office opened. “Not only are they a great business to have in this community, but they are also a great neighbor to the Chamber office which is right next door,” she said.
Other attendees also expressed enthusiasm at the ribbon cutting event.
City Council member Wes Boger said, “I am excited for Vernon and also to have impartial news, well written, by Vernon and his staff.”
“I congratulate Vernon and I just love the paper being here in Mesquite more than I can tell you,” said Mesquite Exchange Club President Paul Benedict. “We have a lot in common with the Moapa Valley. It is good that he covers both areas.”
Amy Bradshaw, Director of the Mesquite Senior Games, said, “I am pleased to be here at the ceremony, and I’m happy that they have an office in Mesquite now. The Progress has always been good to the Mesquite Senior Games.”
Robison also noted that The Progress shares its Mesquite office space with Medicare Insurance Specialist Mary Bundy.
“That positive relationship and partnership with Mary has been one of the factors that have made this office possible,” Robison said. “And with Medicare Open Enrollment period starting this week, she will be available to meet with clients here and provide that important service to local seniors. I love that!”
Progress advertising sales specialist Tara Schenavar will also be available at The Progress Mesquite office to work with local business owners on meeting their advertising needs.
“We have a lot of exciting things planned for promoting and marketing local businesses,” Schenavar said. “So I hope that business owners will see me as an ally and as a friend who is willing and eager to help get their message out into the community.”
The new office is open weekdays from 10am to 4pm.
To reach The Progress Mesquite office call 702-544-0403.
To make an appointment with Mary Bundy call 702-344-5832.
