Chamber Holds ‘What’s Happening, Mesquite?’ Breakfast

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

The Mesquite Chamber of Commerce held its quarterly “What’s Happening, Mesquite?” breakfast on Thursday, June 2 at the Mesquite Elks Lodge. Around 25 people were in attendance for the breakfast which was prepared by Elks Lodge personnel.

More than a dozen local leaders and business owners had signed up to speak briefly at the breakfast. Each was allowed three minuters to talk about what is new in their realm of the community.
Sponsoring the breakfast was the Salvation Army of Mesquite. Local Salvation Army Director Bill Ennis was given the first speaking slot of the morning.

Ennis said that the client list at his organization had grown nearly seven fold this year which has his staff seeing almost 300 clients each month.
“With that said, our food pantry is running low,” Ennis announced. “So if you know people out there that like to donate food, send them my way so we can keep this going and help people out who are in need.”

The next speaker, local mortgage broker Norman Utley announced that he had made a change. Where, he had previously been affiliated with the local Patriot Home Mortgage office, now he is with Sun American Mortgage.

Utley introduced his wife Lori to the crowd and said that as a team they were there to support the community.
“When people come in for a mortgage, they are overwhemlmed with what they are about to go through,” Utley said. “We are offering an opportunity to sit down and talk with somebody local about your options and what would be best for you.”

Lindsey Poston, a Community Health Service Manager at P.A.C.T. talked about her recent work in bringing more mental health resources to the Mesquite community.

“I have been in talks with two organizations that want to bring mental health services to Mesquite,” she said. “I am excited to bring some much needed positive changes in mental health availability for all ages.”

Mesquite Mayor Al Litman went through a long list of new business and development coming to Mesquite. These included a Tag N Go Car Wash, a new Green Valley Grocer, new Shell Station, Dutch Brothers Coffee, Chipotle restaurant, a new Nevada State Bank building, the Virgin Valley Heritage Park across from City Hall, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Tractor Supply Company and more.

Perhaps the biggest project is the new Crown Holdings 500,000 sq ft. factory being built in the city’s Industrial Park, he said.
“They are looking to open in about 14 months,” Litman said. “It is a fabulous employer offering a defined pension plan and paying about $30 an hour to start.”

In addition, the city has a total of more than 1,400 residential housing units in the pipeline currently, the mayor said.

Local ERA Brokerage realtor Karen Fielding spoke nextabout the status of the real estate market. She said that there were currently 50 single family homes on the market, 13 in Sun City, and 32 of them priced at over $500,000.
“We are starting to see more reduced in value every day,” Fielding said. “The sellers are reducing their prices a bit to sell.”

But despite this, Fielding said that it is still a strong seller’s market in Mesquite.
Corporate Strategic Advisor Leesa Myers spoke about her service called Business Owners Advocates.
“We set up business entities in trusts so that all of your assets have a shield of legal protection as well as amazing tax deductions,” Myers said. “That way the business owner personally owns nothing but controls everything.”

Myers said that she has built a team of financial planners, lawyers, insurance agents, tax accountants and more who can help her clients with business concerns.

Dustin Berg of Mesquite Branding spoke next about his full service advertising agency based in the community.

Berg said that Mesquite Branding is a Google certified agency. He said that he could help businesses begin generating revenues in things like the Google AdWords program.
“Google generated $178 billion through AdWords program in 2021, that is a 21 percent increase over 2020,” Berg said. “Every year Fortune 500 companies are promoting themselves and bringing revenues through GoogleAds accounts. It does work and it can be simple to set up.”

In addition, Berg said that Mesquite Branding is promoting their video production services with staff on hand to shoot and edit video footage for advertisements and social media spots.

Joni Homer, Branch Manager of America First Credit Union at the Walmart branch, introduced herself as having relocated to the community last summer when her husband took an early retirement.
“A lot of people think that, since we are in Walmart, that we are not a full service branch,” she said. “But I am here to tell you that we are a full service branch.”

All In Cycles owner Rachel Hammond said that business has been brisk for the local bicycle shop. She told the attendees that the store offers bike rentals, sales and expert repairs.

The store also likes to do cross promotion with other businesses, she said. “Because of all the tourists that come to our shop, people are always asking us what else is out there to do and to see,” she said. “Where should we eat, where should we stay? What else is there to do while we are here? I just want to extend the opportunity to any other businesses in town who would like to cross-promote with us.”

Chamber President/CEO Carol Kolson introduced Denise and Phil Sims, owners of Exquisite Blooms Floral.
“Denise brings 35 years of experience with certifications in floral design,” Kolson said.
Denise Sims said that the business is currently operating online at exquisitebloomsfloraldesigns.com. But she is also looking at opening a permanent location for the shop.

Realtor Linda Darling spoke about her work selling newly built homes for Richmond American. She said that she enjoyed working with buyers to personalize the home build process.

Larry Ransom spoke about a new Country Financial office his team had opened recently off of Falcon Ridge Pkwy near the hospital. He spoke about the expertise of his team with specialists in auto and homoeowners insurance, business and disability insurance, and financial planning.

Ransom, who is also a professional trumpet player, talked about his non-profit called “Taps.” This organization schedules professionals to perform a live Taps at funerals of deceased veterans at no cost to the family.

Jean Watkins of Mesquite Womens History and Culture Center talked about the center’s third annual Saxon the Suffrage Cat contest going on this summer. She explained that area residents can pick up a “cat” at the center. Then they can decorate the cat in their own style and submit it as their entry to the contest. Prizes will be awarded in different age groups including both children and adults. There will even be a grand prize awarded.

Finally, Kolson took the podium again to talk about upcoming events at the Chamber. She took some time to talk about the upcoming Chamber Golf Tournament fundraiser coming up on August 5-6.

An opening reception will be held on the evening of Friday, Aug. 5 at the Conestoga Golf Course with a variety of competitions and fun beginning at 3 pm. The invitational tournament will take place the following day also at the Conestoga club. Call the Chamber at 702-346-2902 for more information.