Nevada Department of Business and Industry

08/24/2026

Hawk Fire: Resources and Support for Northern Nevada
The Nevada Department of Business and Industry and its agencies are monitoring the impacts of the Hawk Fire and providing resources, assistance and regulatory flexibility to affected residents, homeowners, businesses and licensees.

Support currently includes:
🔵 Division of Insurance: Guidance for policyholders on coverage, evacuation-related expenses, claims and recovery, along with flexibility for impacted licensees.

🔵 Office of the Labor Commissioner: Flexibility on deadlines and pending matters for constituents affected by the fire, with site visits in affected areas temporarily paused.

🔵 Nevada Transportation Authority: Reminders that transportation network companies operating within the declared emergency area may not impose surge pricing.

🔵 Mortgage Lending Division: Assistance for consumers and licensees experiencing delays or difficulties with mortgage transactions.

🔵 Nevada Housing Division: Monitoring potentially impacted housing communities and evaluating available assistance for affected residents.

🔵 Division of Industrial Relations: Continued workplace safety, injury reporting and workers’ compensation resources for employers and employees.

🔵 Real Estate Division: Assistance for affected real estate licensees, applicants, education providers and homeowners associations with licensing, renewals and registrations.

For the latest wildfire information and emergency updates, visit the Nevada Office of Emergency Management/Homeland Security:
https://www.oem.nv.gov/wildfire-info-2026/

For recovery resources and information:
https://www.oem.nv.gov/wildfire-info-2026/recovery-resources-multi-fire/

Read the full Department of Business and Industry release for agency-specific resources, contacts and additional information:
https://www.oem.nv.gov/wildfire-info-2026/recovery-resources-multi-fire/

08/21/2026

🤝 Great Businesses Are Built Through Great Partnerships.

Over the past two weeks, we've highlighted the many resources available through the Nevada Department of Business and Industry to help entrepreneurs start, manage, and grow their businesses.

Next week on Nevada Means Business, hosted by Dr. Kristopher Sanchez, Director of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, we'll welcome Bill Briggs, Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Together, they'll discuss how federal, state, and local partners work together to expand access to capital, strengthen entrepreneurship, and create opportunities for small businesses.

🎙️ Podcast:
https://www.business.nv.gov/news-media/nevada-means-business-podcast/

📺 YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/


🎧 Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/03x0TVhS71P4CoNX4i3sGF

Podcast · Nevada Department of Business and Industry · Nevada Means Business is the official podcast of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, hosted by Director Kristopher Sanchez, highlighting the people, policies, and partnerships driving Nevada’s economic vitality. Through conversat...

08/20/2026

🏆 Celebrating Nevada’s Small Business Advocates

This year, we’re proud to celebrate Marcel Fernando Schaerer, Deputy Director of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry’s Las Vegas office, who was honored with the 2026 Small Business Advocate Award for his commitment to supporting Nevada’s small businesses and strengthening the business community.

Marcel was recognized at the Urban Chamber of Commerce’s Green Tie Awards on Saturday, August 15, 2026, an annual celebration of excellence in business, leadership and community service that brings together professionals, entrepreneurs and community partners to recognize those making a difference in Nevada’s business community.

Marcel’s recognition reflects his continued work supporting Nevada’s entrepreneurs and helping connect businesses with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

That work was also highlighted on this week’s episode of Nevada Means Business, where Marcel shared his perspective on supporting Nevada’s business community.

🎙️ Watch Marcel’s episode of Nevada Means Business:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go7028UAo0E

Businesses and entrepreneurs can also explore the Department of Business and Industry’s Business Resource Hub, a central source for information, tools and resources to help Nevada businesses start, manage and grow.

Business Resource Hub:
https://www.business.nv.gov/business-resource-hub/

Congratulations, Marcel, on this well-deserved recognition!

08/19/2026

🛠️ Nevada is expanding pathways to careers in high-demand industries.

The Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner has received $1.54 million in federal funding to launch FORGE Nevada — Future Opportunities through Registered Apprenticeships, Growth and Education.💰

The initiative will expand registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities in fields including advanced manufacturing, domestic mineral production, education, hospitality and information technology. 🎓

Through partnerships with employers, workforce development organizations and industry, FORGE Nevada aims to help more Nevadans earn while they learn, gain industry-recognized skills and build careers while helping employers develop the skilled workforce they need.

Learn more about the grant, the initiative’s goals and what it means for Nevada’s workforce. Read the full press release HERE:

https://www.business.nv.gov/news-media/press-releases/2026/labor-commissioner/nevada-receives-$1.54-million-federal-grant-to-expand-apprenticeship-opportunities-through-forge-nevada-initiative

08/19/2026

✅ Starting a Business? Here's a Checklist to Help You Get Started.

Every successful business begins with an idea, but turning that idea into reality means asking the right questions.

☐ Business plan
☐ Market research
☐ Business registration
☐ Licensing and permits
☐ Funding strategy
☐ Connection with Nevada's free business advisors

One of the biggest takeaways from this week's Nevada Means Business episode with Marcel Schaerer is that entrepreneurs don't have to navigate these questions alone.

The Nevada Department of Business and Industry's Business Resource Hub connects Nevada's dreamers and doers with trusted information, expert guidance, and statewide resources.

🗺️ Roadmap:
https://www.business.nv.gov/contentassets/06d4f7dc29c74c828551d4287de0dbf5/final---april-2026-startup-guide-v1.pdf

📚 Business Resource Hub:
https://www.business.nv.gov/business-resource-hub/

08/17/2026

🧭 Don't Know Where to Begin? Start Here.

Every successful business starts with an idea. Turning that idea into a successful business is where many entrepreneurs have questions.

Where do you register your business? What licenses do you need? Where can you find funding? Who can help you build a business plan? How do you connect with the right resources?

That's why the Nevada Department of Business and Industry created the Business Resource Hub—a convenient place to access information, resources, and tools to help you start, manage, and grow your business in Nevada.

Whether you're one of Nevada's dreamers preparing to launch your very first business or one of our doers growing your tenth, the Business Resource Hub connects entrepreneurs with a vast network of FREE technical assistance, business support organizations, funding resources, learning opportunities, and expert guidance.

🗺️ Roadmap:

https://www.business.nv.gov/contentassets/06d4f7dc29c74c828551d4287de0dbf5/final---april-2026-startup-guide-v1.pdf

📚 Business Resource Hub:

https://www.business.nv.gov/business-resource-hub/

08/15/2026

🎙️ What does the Nevada Labor Commissioner actually do?

On Episode 17 of the Gang Box Podcast, hosts Vince Saavedra and Daniel Lincoln sit down with Nevada Labor Commissioner Brett Harris for a wide-ranging conversation about labor, construction, unions and the laws that govern Nevada’s workforce.

Harris gives an inside look at the work of the Office of the Labor Commissioner — from wage and hour claims and prevailing wage to public works compliance and apprenticeship utilization.

The conversation also gets into the relationship between the Labor Commissioner’s Office and organized labor, the challenges of reaching non-union workers, and why knowing your rights as an employee matters.

One of the biggest takeaways? A lot of workers simply don’t know what they’re entitled to — or where to go when something goes wrong.

Harris discusses some of the most common issues her office encounters, including final pay, unauthorized deductions, wage claims and employers failing to pay workers the wages they were promised. She also explains how her office works with workers, employers and labor organizations to address violations and enforce Nevada law.

And if you’ve listened to Episode 2 of the Nevada Means Business Podcast, you’ve heard Brett before. This conversation takes a deeper dive into the labor side of Nevada’s economy and the work happening behind the scenes to enforce the state’s labor laws.

Whether you’re a worker, contractor, employer, union member or simply interested in how Nevada’s labor system works, there’s plenty to take away from this episode.

🎧 Watch Episode 17 of the Gang Box Podcast on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3BLp398w6I

Learn more about the Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner:
https://labor.nv.gov/

All Things Union All Things ConstructionThis episode features Nev...

08/14/2026

💬 The Best Business Conversations Don't End with 'No.' They Begin with 'How Do We Get to Yes?'

One of the most encouraging takeaways from this week's episode of Nevada Means Business with Nevada Bankers Association President and CEO Phyllis Gurgevich is that banks want to help entrepreneurs succeed.

Every business owner starts somewhere, and not every company is immediately ready for financing. That's why preparation matters. The strongest businesses are built over time through learning, planning, and connecting with the right resources.

Whether you're one of Nevada's dreamers launching your first business or one of our doers growing your tenth, the Nevada Department of Business and Industry and its partners are here to help.

Hosted by Dr. Kristopher Sanchez, Director of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, Nevada Means Business brings together business leaders, policymakers, regulators, and industry experts to explore the ideas, partnerships, and programs shaping Nevada's economy.

🎙️ Continue the conversation with Nevada Means Business

Learn more about the podcast and browse every episode:
https://www.business.nv.gov/news-media/nevada-means-business-podcast/

📺 Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/03x0TVhS71P4CoNX4i3sGF?si=4876271711e84153&nd=1&dlsi=79a6802eddeb4b48

08/13/2026

💡 A 'No' Today Doesn't Mean 'No' Forever.

One of the biggest takeaways from this week's episode of Nevada Means Business with Nevada Bankers Association’s Phyllis Gurgevich is that not every business is ready for financing on day one—and that's okay.

Whether you're one of Nevada's dreamers launching your first business or one of our doers growing your tenth, you don't have to navigate that journey alone. There is a community of business resource organizations that are ready to provide no-cost assistance to you at every stage.

The Nevada Small Business Development Center (Nevada SBDC) provides FREE, confidential business advising, training, and technical assistance to help entrepreneurs prepare for financing and long-term success.

Ready to get started?

Business Resource Hub:
https://www.business.nv.gov/business-resource-hub/

Nevada SBDC:
https://nevadasbdc.org/

Learn about the amazing programs, people, and small businesses that make up the Nevada Small Business Development Center community in our 2025 Impact Report. The Nevada SBDC Impact Report is a comprehensive digital report that outlines our services, highlights some of our clients, and dives deep int...

08/11/2026

Rideshare Surge Pricing Prohibited During Governor’s Declared State of Emergency

The Nevada Transportation Authority (NTA) is reminding transportation network companies (TNCs) and the public that surge pricing is prohibited during the state of emergency declared by Governor Joe Lombardo in response to the Bug and Fred Mountain Fires affecting areas of Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony- Hungry Valley.

Under NAC 706A.290(2), a transportation network company is prohibited, during a state of emergency, from charging a fare that exceeds the company's base fare. Accordingly, TNCs may not impose surge pricing during the state of emergency.

The restriction applies to transportation network companies operating within the area of the declared emergency. TNCs should ensure that fares charged to passengers in Washoe County comply with the applicable requirements for the duration of the state of emergency.

“During an emergency, Nevadans should be able to access transportation without facing increased fares based on extraordinary demand,” said Todd Park, Deputy Commissioner of the Nevada Transportation Authority. “We are reminding transportation network companies of their responsibilities and encouraging passengers to report suspected violations to the Authority.”

What passengers should know

🔵 Surge pricing is prohibited while the state of emergency is in effect.

🔵Review the fare displayed before accepting a ride.

🔵Keep a record or screenshot of the fare if they believe they have been charged a fare above the company's applicable base rate.

🔵Report suspected violations to the Nevada Transportation Authority.

The NTA encourages anyone who believes a TNC has charged a fare in violation of NAC 706A.290(2) to contact the Authority and provide information about the trip, including the date and time, TNC used, pickup and drop-off locations, fare charged and any available documentation.

The NTA will continue to monitor transportation network company operations during the state of emergency and will take appropriate action regarding reported violations.

A copy of the Governor’s Declaration of Emergency can be found athttps://www.gov.nv.gov/siteassets/content/newsroom/prs/2026/declaration-of-emergency-08102026.pdf

For more information about the Nevada Transportation Authority and transportation network companies, visit https://nta.nv.gov.