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Office of Economic Development News

The Office of Economic Development seeks to promote private- and public-sector partnerships in order to support economic and workforce development, to attract industry-sponsored research, and to protect and develop intellectual property.

Current Economic Development News

UNLV sign in foreground of four story building with clouds above
Business and Community |

The 43,000 square-foot living lab, managed by UNLV's Office of Economic Development, brings industry and agencies together to test and develop next-gen concepts in hospitality, gaming, and entertainment. 

student wearing glasses and white lab coat holding hydrogel
Research |

UNLV among select group of universities with high research output identified for potential to “unleash innovation” and create economic impact.

large group of people in remote desert location at night with red headlamps
Business and Community |

UNLV engineering and science students test an experiential course partially designed for NASA astronauts who will soon return to the moon.

Radioactive contents safely contained in David Hatchett's lab space.
Research |

How UNLV radiochemistry is pioneering the future of energy in the Southwest by salvaging strategic materials from nuclear dumps – and making it safe.

A UNLV student studies with the Strip in the distance.
Campus News |

Headlines and highlights featuring the students and faculty of UNLV.

flamenco dancers outdoors with large UNLV letters in background
Campus News |

A roundup of news about the brights spots on campus.

Economic Development In The News

KVVU-TV: Fox 5

A new UNLV report shows Southern Nevada sports employment and visitor spending have surged across Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Review Journal

Electric vehicles might be able to get their batteries recharged in the future during a routine maintenance service.

Las Vegas Review Journal

Electric vehicles might be able to get their batteries recharged in the future during a routine maintenance service.

KSNV-TV: News 3

The Las Vegas sports economy has been booming over the last 10 years, according to a new study. UNLV's Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) and Sports Innovation Institute found that the sports-related workforce grew from about 8,500 to an estimated 18,816 workers between 2015 and 2025.

Las Vegas Sun

It took eight toddlers to hold the line. Standing between UNLV Interim Dean Chris Heavey and Joseph Morgan, interim dean of the College of Education, on Wednesday afternoon the children clutched a chain of colorful paper rings stretched across the entrance of the brand new Marlow Early Childhood Education Campus — until Morgan tore it in half, opening a new home for the Lynn Bennett Early Childhood Education Center and the UNLV/CSUN Preschool.

Las Vegas Sun

It took eight toddlers to hold the line. Standing between UNLV Interim Dean Chris Heavey and Joseph Morgan, interim dean of the College of Education, on Wednesday afternoon the children clutched a chain of colorful paper rings stretched across the entrance of the brand new Marlow Early Childhood Education Campus — until Morgan tore it in half, opening a new home for the Lynn Bennett Early Childhood Education Center and the UNLV/CSUN Preschool.

Economic Development Experts

An expert on university-based economic development, technology transfer, industry engagement, and research commercialization. 
An expert in sports betting, gaming policy and regulation, legislative affairs, and workplace sexual harrassment. 
An expert on the intersection of travel and tourism with sociology, social justice, and environmental sustainability. 
An expert on gaming and society, Bernhard has been featured on CNN, The Discovery Channel, the BBC, and The History Channel.
An economiststudying microeconometrics, economics of food security, health economics, and urban economics.
An accomplished economist, professor, and administrator in the fields of business and economic research.

Recent Economic Development Accomplishments

Martin Alvarez-Lopez, Emmanuel Becerra, Svelania Marino, and Krystka Marinao (all Business) from Team MycoWay earned the $5,000 scholarship prize at the 2024 UNLV Impact Ventures Case Competition hosted by UNLV's Black Fire Innovation. This annual event, presented by Caesars Entertainment, challenged students to design sustainable, for-profit…
Marta Soligo (Economic Development), director of tourism research, and Tammi Tiger (Hospitality), director of San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Education Initiative) presented: Building Destinations: Tribal Tourism & Economic Development on a panel together at the Tribal Leadership & Management Conference 2024.
On July 18, Pitch Mayhem, the premier pitch tournament designed to elevate Las Vegas as a leading tech destination, successfully took place at UNLV's Black Fire Innovation. The event brought together the brightest minds in technology, venture capital, and entrepreneurship, marking a significant milestone in the city's journey to becoming a tech…
Kasra Ghaharian (International Gaming Institute) has been awarded funding by the Massachusetts Gambling Commission to conduct research on artificial intelligence (AI) in the gambling sector. The study, awarded to the UNLV’s International Gaming Institute, will focus on current and possible uses of AI in the gambling industry, with a particular…
The Department of Brain Health and the Office of Economic Development hosted the inaugural UNLV Innovation Day, an annual event that brought together UNLV researchers and industry professionals to discuss the growth and understanding of brain health, mental health, and the innovation brought together through science and experimentation. The…
Marta Soligo (Hospitality and Office of Economic Development) participated as a guest speaker at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Partnership Summit on March 6, 2024. During the event, Soligo shared insights from the research on sports tourism and outdoor recreation she is conducting with the team of the UNLV Tourism Development,…