Casino Connection Nevada

The Learning Tree

How our industry contributes to Nevada public education

by Bill Bible

Many of us working in Nevada’s hospitality and resort industry do not think about how doing our jobs well improves Nevada. We tend to focus on our jobs and our customers’ satisfaction—making sure they receive world-class service and feel as satisfied as possible. But the results of our efforts go far beyond the casinos and hotel rooms of Red Rock, Caesars, MGM Grand or Gold Coast.

Few workers in the tourism community or members of the general public truly understand how important tourism is to the health of a growing Nevada. The Nevada Resort Association’s answer is helping inform tourism workers and Nevada residents to how our industry helps through an advertising campaign named “Betting on Nevada.”

As the new school year starts we are talking about how our industry helps fund Nevada’s schools. According to an independent report developed by Applied Analysis, Nevada’s resort industry funds more than one-third of the state’s public education needs, contributing more than $1 billion annually. Put a different way, this means that one out of every three students in Nevada’s schools has a teacher, books and school supplies because resort workers have built such a successful industry. And these numbers only reflect direct contributions by the industry and do not include taxes that are paid by associated vendors like laundry services, food and beverage suppliers and shop owners who pay state taxes.

In addition, many resort companies volunteer and provide charitable and volunteer support to various schools, universities and colleges throughout Nevada. Station Casinos has been a huge supporter of primary public education with many in-school programs including their “Smart Start” School Partnership, which has provided more than $2 million to local schools and matches company properties with specific schools of need. Boyd Gaming has been a driving force in higher education through their philanthropic support of UNLV and the recently established William S. Boyd School of Law. Harrah’s is also active in support of higher education by providing money to both the University of Nevada-Reno and UNLV, helping to educate Nevada’s future hospitality and gaming leaders. MGM Mirage provides active support of public education through a number of different programs including Teach for America, which helps place teachers in low-income urban and rural schools. Also, the company recently adopted Paul Culley Elementary School providing support to both teachers and students.

As summer ends and classes start, it is important to remember that our schools could not open their doors, hire teachers and provide educational supplies without the support of a successful tourism and gaming industry.