connections - Fernley Chamber of Commerce

CONNECTIONS
Fernley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
June 2015
A Note from our President:
PROGRESS!
Progress by definition is movement forward
or toward a place, or the process of
“Fernley is a great city with
improving or developing something over a
great potential. We're
period of time.
experiencing a rebirth in our
And that is exactly what we are doing, both
as a Chamber and as a community. With the
great response from our community
regarding the changes we have made to the
Chamber, it brings all of us together with one
collective goal in mind - to create a
connection between business, city and
economy and seizing
opportunities with more
success than ever before.”
Daphne Hooper.,
Fernley City Manager
community that is unbreakable.
As a group, we have made positive changes
including spearheading the Fair Share Committee. With the implementation of
this committee, we have helped to raise over $9000. The Fair Share Committee
will press forward with these funds, continuing our campaign to get us our “Fair
In This Issue
Share” of Nevada’s consolidated tax in Fernley.
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We have also implemented a successful weekly event for members and non-
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members to come together and hear about what is happening in our great town.
The Fernley Ambassadors Breakfast, held on Tuesday mornings at 7:30 within
the banquet room of The Golf Club of Fernley, has had up to 68 guests coming to
network and hear speakers such as Lance Gilman, president and director of the
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Photo by Barbara Craig. Scissors donated by FHS.
1 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
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A Note from our President
A Change in Contact
Information
Letter from Fernley Mayor
Business After Hours
Chamber Calendar
A Note about the Fernley
Economic Climate
Metro Economic Indicator
Chamber Board Members and
Staff
Community Economic
Development Summit
New and Renewing Members
Member Spotlight
New Member Profiles
Churches
Member Events
Ribbon Cuttings
Member News
Ad Pricing
Tahoe Reno Industrial area, and John Mahar, president and publisher at the Reno Gazette
… Continued from page 1
Journal. Kelly Brye has been the inspiration for this breakfast and his passion for Fernley
and the Chamber is infectious!
Our Chamber newsletter made its debut in May of this year with spotlights on new and exciting
members it brings light to what is happening with Fernley businesses. The advertising
opportunities within the Newsletter are a new avenue for our local business and non-profits to
promote themselves. As we continue publishing the monthly newsletter, you will see additions
and changes as we work to serve the needs of our members
Finally, Mayor Edgington, our City Council Members, City Manager, and staff have partnered with the Chamber to inform
our citizens of truths about what they are doing to better our city and squashing the rumors and untruths being spread on
social media.
Progress is what you will continue to see within your Chamber of Commerce. With diligence, teamwork and conviction
we will continue to progress and re-build the community we all see as “Friendly Fernley”.
A Change in Contact Information:
As part of our forward and upward progression, the Chamber has made changes to our phone services and email
addresses in the month of May. As of May 20th, the email address has changed, but the phone number has not. You will
also notice an updated greeting should you call the Chamber when the office manager is unavailable.
To contact us, please change the email address you have for us to [email protected]. For the next few months
emails coming from our old email address, [email protected], will be forwarded, but we would still like you
to get used to using the new email address as the forwarding will discontinue before the end of the year.
Thank you to all of our members, both new and continuing, for growing with us as we move forward!
2 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
A Note from Mayor Roy Edgington
What’s Happening on Hardie Lane?
The City of Fernley received funding to design the reconstruction of Hardie Lane in 2013.
This has been a long process, but one that is moving forward. This project will include the
following:
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Curb and gutter along both sides of the roadway
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Drainage improvements
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Sewer improvements
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Complete roadway construction
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Safety improvements within the right-of-way
Mayor Roy Edgington is the

Traffic calming measures
4th mayor since the incorpo-

Coordination with Lyon County School District for on-site safety improvements
ration of Fernley as a city in
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Coordination with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to pipe a portion of the TC5
irrigation canal
2001. Prior to being elected
mayor, he served as a Fernley
city councilman, representing
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Water line improvements
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Sidewalk extension from Rachel Street to Cottonwood Lane on the east side of Hardie
councilman from 2010 until
Lane
2014.
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ward 3. He served as a city
Coordination with local utilities including NV Energy, Southwest Gas, AT&T, and
Charter.
Funding for the project includes the City of Fernley’s contribution as well as Regional Transportation Commission (RTC)
funding, Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) funding. With the federal and state government providing
monies to the project many conditions have to be met. A portion of the Hardie Lane reconstruction project is federally
funded, which triggers compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and several other Federal
and State regulations. Staff is currently coordinating with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), the U. S.
Bureau of Reclamation, and various utility companies to move the project forward.
Because of the influx of many new projects in the region, including the extension of USA Parkway in Storey County, NDOT
and other agencies are delayed on processing reports. The City is making efforts to complete the required right-of-way
applications and environmental studies to keep things moving forward by fronting the funds to eventually be
reimbursed.
The City’s consultants submitted Project plans to NDOT in September 2014 to initiate the NEPA Process. NDOT has
identified historic architecture components that exist within the area of the Hardie Lane project. It has been determined
that the TC5 irrigation ditch within the area will be directly impacted by the project and must be evaluated under all four
National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility criteria. This ditch will be evaluated to determine if is an individually
eligible resource, and if it is a contributing resource to the Newlands Reclamation Project. NDOT informed the City in
April 2015 that they will no longer have the resources available to assist with the remaining NEPA work. The City will be
directing project consultants to proceed with the remaining NEPA work, and are making every effort to ensure the
project moves forward toward completion.
Hardie Lane is a main north-south connector within the City of Fernley and provides access to schools, homes, and
services. The City is continuing to move forward on the project and anticipate the project being completed in early 2017.
If you have any questions please contact the City Engineering Department or Public Works.
3 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
A Note about the Fernley Ambassadors Breakfasts
In early March of this year, The Fernley Chamber of Commerce launched a new committee dubbed Fernley Ambassadors.
Fernley Ambassadors serve as the “networking arm” of the Chamber and their purpose is to provide networking
opportunities for local businesses, churches, non-profit organizations and concerned citizens in order that we create a
culture of taking care of one another, educate each other on our own, respective business, company or service and
aggressively promote one another’s company, service or organization.
The Fernley Ambassadors meet every Tuesday morning from 7:30-8:45am in the banquet facility at the Golf Club at
Fernley for high-energy, powerful networking breakfast events. Each week, a fellow Chamber member receives the
opportunity to serve as the key speaker and educate the audience about their business or organization, their values and
even, in some cases, a strong, inspiring message of encouragement and inspiration. Breakfasts also include special
introductions of all first-time attendees and “Bragging Bucks”, where attendees can purchase the opportunity to brag
about a fellow Chamber member/business and honor that business or individual in a special way by “bragging” about
them. The cost of breakfast is $6 but the benefits one receives is unmeasurable.
The Fernley Ambassadors also support new business Grand Opening ribbon cutting events and sponsor a monthly
“Business After Hours” event, hosted by a different Chamber member each month. Business After Hours events are a
great opportunity to enjoy a cocktail, appetizers and meet fellow Fernley Chamber members to discuss business and other
matters in a casual environment. We welcome Chamber members and non-members to any future breakfast event!
4 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
5 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
6 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
7 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
BUSINESS AFTER
HOURS
Fernley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Last Month
Business After Hours is
another way our
members can promote
their business. Every third
Thursday of the month,
we invite a business to
open its doors and invite
the community, not only
to introduce both
members and non
members to their
organization, but also to
encourage repeat
business. The Chamber
actively promotes
Business After Hours
events on our Facebook
page and in a mass email
to everyone who has
Thank you to all who joined us at Louie’s China Bistro on Thursday, May 21st! We
subscribed to our email
hoped you enjoyed the drinks and appetizers provided by managing partner, Peter
updates.
Yeung, of Louie’s China Bistro!
This Month
Join us Thursday, June 18th at Chamber member, The Pizza Factory,
located at 1460 Hwy 95A, Suite #5 in Fernley in the Scolaris shopping
center. Network with members of the Fernley business community,
and enjoy food and beverages provided by Pizza Factory’s Susie Del
Porto.
This event will start at 4:30pm and is expected to last until 7pm. We
hope to see you there!
8 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
JUNE 2015 EVENTS
AT THE CHAMBER
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
2
3
7
8
9
10
14
15
16
Ambassadors
Breakfast, 7:30am,
The Golf Club at
Fernley
Thursday
4
Friday
Saturday
5
6
11
12
13
17
18
19
20
Monthly
Business After
Luncheon,
Hours, Pizza
26
27
11:15am, City Hall Factory, 4:30pm
Board Meeting at
City Hall, 4:00pm
21
22
23
24
Ambassadors
Breakfast,
7:30am, The Golf
Club at Fernley
28
29
30
Ambassadors
Breakfast,
7:30am, The Golf
Club at Fernley
9 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
25
We are proud to partner with the North Lyon County Fire Protection District and sponsor this fundraising event. Contact
Chamber member, Harry Wheeler by phone at 775-835-2491 or by email at [email protected] for tickets. We
hope to see you there!
10 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
A Note About the Fernley Economic Climate
A positive energy is radiating throughout northern Nevada as new businesses enter
the area, helping to diversifying the economy and positioning the entire region as a
desirable location to do business. With the Crossroads Commerce Center in full
swing and the City of Fernley just miles from other major projects, the community is
right in the heart of the action.
“As a longtime member and partner of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce, NV
Energy is proud to be a part of the team helping drive growth in this important
community,” said Jeff Brigger, NV Energy Economic Development Executive. “From
our perspective the economic climate in Lyon County and Fernley is improving
daily.”

Jeff Brigger, Economic Development
NV Energy is uniquely positioned to be a part of the economic development team
Executive for Nevada Energy’s
helping to attract new businesses. Several initiatives point to continued growth and
Economic Development Department
opportunity in Lyon County including:
A recent report conducted by a leading firm that consults Fortune 500 companies on logistics and supply chain
management named Fernley, Nevada the nation’s 2nd best location for large-scale distribution development.
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A partnership between the non-profit Northern Nevada Development Authority (NNDA), the City of Fernley, NV
Energy, and the Crossroads Commerce Center (CCC) is ramping up its proactive efforts to maximize the potential of
the region’s benefits to large-scale warehousing and distribution enterprises.
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With funding earmarked for rural economic development, a traveling team of experts from the partner organizations
is spreading the word to potential companies in person, building relationships and helping them with the decision to
build new facilities and bring well-paying jobs to the area.
METRO ECONOMIC INDICATOR
Economic Information
UNEMPLOYMENT
Real Estate & Business
LOCAL REAL ESTATE
NONFARM PAYROLL
Fernley
Fernley
Mar 2015
9.9%
Feb 2015
10.1%
Total
Jan 2015
Nevada
Mar 2015
10.4%
7.6%
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade
1,729
1,527
284
Feb 2015
7.2%
Retail Trade
2,747
Jan 2015
7.6%
Information
378
United States
Lyon County
As of 2013
Transportation & Public
# of Units Sold & Ave Price
18,935
5.5%
Finance, Insurance, &
Jan 2015
Dec 2014
5.7%
5.6%
Real Estate
Professional
1,554
COST OF LIVING INDEX
Educational, Health Care,
3,419
(Based on US score of
Arts, Entertainment, Rec,
Fernley
Nevada
& Food, Services
93.5%
102%
Public Administration
Other
April 2015
921
(By Employee)
Olam Spice and
90-99
48 @ $171,000
Vegetables
Bank Owned
3 @ $92.98/
Manpower
Short Sale
3 @ $86.55/
Lowes
100-199
Nevada
100-199
NonCondition/Stick- Built 41 @ $106.37/
NonCondition/Manufact.
1 @$74.78/
Yearly Change
1,556
Feb 2015
100% in 2014)
LARGEST BUSINESSES
11 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
QG Printing
100-199
21.1%
Trex Company
100-199
Average Price
21.7%
Wal-Mart
200-299
300-399
MSC Industrial
# of Units Sold and Ave. Price
April 2015
533 @ $273,000
Yearly Change
# of Units Sold
Average Price
1,346
665
Cement Co.
# of Units Sold
Reno/Sparks
1,839
90-99
-.4%
18.7%
CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF
President
Tracy Jo Johnson
Past President
Tammy Dittman
Director
Dani Northington
Nevada State Bank
Lahontan Properties
The Silverado Casino
Vice President
Kelly Brye
The Insurance Depot,
Inc.
Director
Bill Meyer
Director
Mark Knodell
Nevada Cement
Company
2nd Vice President
Jaime Popp
Fernley 95 Speedway
Director
Jack Kennedy
Treasurer
Eric Lawrence
Secretary
Marty Hardie
Cedar Center
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Silver Strike Casino
Carson Plains Casino
Non-Voting Member
Kim Swanson
The City of Fernley
Office Manager
Deborah Halasz
Fernley Chamber
of Commerce
Director
Evelene Ricci
NV Energy
Major Customers
As a handful of major businesses consider relocating to Lyon County, residential
… Continued from page 8
markets should also see continued growth in the coming months and years.
“There’s a huge amount of momentum helping generate buzz and excitement about Northern Nevada and this
community right now,” added Evelene Ricci, NV Energy Director of Major Accounts and Fernley Chamber of Commerce
Board member. “It’s an exciting time to be a partner and on the Board.”
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
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Fernley’s population
grew 121.46%
between 2005 and
2014 and was
considered the third
fastest growing city in
the United states!
Unlike Reno and Las
Vegas, there is no
other town in the
United States, Canada,
Australia, New
Zealand, or the United
Kingdom named
Fernley.
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The artistic structures made part of the Main Street park were
created in collaboration between the Black Rock Arts Foundation and
the Burning Man Festival.
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Artists, Max Poynton and Andrew Grinberg, created the Bottlecap
Gazebo by stringing together smashed bottlecaps. It was first
presented at the Burning Man Festival.
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Artist, Zach Coffin, created Rockspinner 6, making a nine-ton slab of
stone light enough so that a Fernley toddler could easily send it into
motion.
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Fernley owes a debt of gratitude to artist and teacher Pan Pantoja
who collaborated with the students of Fernley to create the 25-foot
long and 17-foot tall Desert Tortoise. Fernley youth can take pride in
this piece of art as they painted the hundreds of 4x4 tiles used for the
turtles shell.
12 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
Community Economic Development
Professionals Meet to Discuss
Economic Development Activities
throughout the Western Nevada
Development District
On May 20 and May 21, 2015, nearly 300 community and economic development professionals,
elected and appointed officials, government executives, entrepreneurs, business owners, and
members of the public came together at the Joe Crowley Student Union on the main campus of
the University of Nevada, Reno to discuss ongoing community and economic development
efforts in the nine-county Western Nevada Development District. The 2015 Nevada Economic
Development Conference, co-hosted by the College of Business at the University of Nevada,
Reno, the Western Nevada Development District, and the US Department of Agriculture Rural
Development, offered conference attendees the opportunity to hear presentations on
agribusiness, energy development, small business and entrepreneurial development, industrial
and manufacturing development, capital investment and business financing, and strategic
Frederick Steinmann, DPPD
Assistant Research Professor
The College of Business
University of Nevada, Reno
economic development marketing and attraction efforts.
Some of the key highlights of the conference included two mobile workshops including a tour of
the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center located just west of the City of Fernley and Reno’s start-up
row. Several key note speeches, including Deborah Marley’s “Making Small Towns the Location
of Choice” and John Crompton’s “Investing in Parks & Recreation”, provided conference attendees an opportunity to learn
about how they can strategically position their community. Individual sessions focused on the nuts-and-bolts of economic
development as session. Presenters focused on the successes and failures of past economic development projects within
their own community so that attendees could learn how to duplicate past successes while avoiding previous failures.
On May 19, 2015, as part of the Nevada Economic Development Conference, the Nevada Leadership Institute, part of the
University Center for Economic Development in the College of Business, hosted a day-long “Fundamentals of Economic
Development Workshop”. Forty-two conference attendees participated in the May 19th workshop which covered a
variety of topics including a discussion on different types of economic development, how to develop a strategic economic
development plan, how to engage in regional economic development, and how to fund economic development in Nevada
using tools such as redevelopment, special assessment districts, general improvement districts, tax increment areas, and
tourism improvement districts.
Organizers of the 2015 Nevada Economic Development Conference are currently planning the 2016 conference which will
be held in early 2016. As part of the ongoing implementation efforts of the Western Nevada Development District’s
Stronger Economies Together strategic economic development planning imitative and the District’s Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy, the Nevada Economic Development Conference will continue to provide economic
development professionals and community leaders with further guidance into the needs of the private sector in northern
Nevada. Presentations from the 2015 conference will be available online through the Nevada Leadership Institute’s
website (http://www.unr.edu/business/research-and-outreach/nevada-leadership-institute) and the Western Nevada
Development District’s website (http://www.wndd.org/) after June 5, 2015.
13 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
14 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
Fernley Fair Share Committee
Opinion Piece submitted by Cal Eilrich, City Councilman Ward #1
In my opinion, our former Assemblyman and now paid lobbyist Tom Grady needs to explain himself to the citizens of
Fernley. While an assemblyman he never supported Fernley
getting our fair share of the State of Nevada - Consolidated
Tax Revenue Fund (CTAX). Now, in the current legislature
he has worked behind the scenes and lobbied the legislature
to block Fernley from getting its fair share of the CTAX. The
City of Fernley has become the whipping-child of the legislature this session once again, thanks to Grady's apparent
influence over our freshman member of the Nevada
State Assembly, Robin Titus. Who also needs to explain her
actions to us in ignoring Fernley's needs. I get the feeling
that folks from Southern Lyon County are still angry at us for
incorporating the city in 2001. The fact is, that we are the
City of Fernley and we must all move forward.
Now that the legislature is almost over it's too late for Fernley to work anything out with the legislature as ordered by
the Nevada Supreme Court. Frankly, they wouldn't give the citizens of Fernley the time of day on this very important
issue. Why does our Lyon County Administration keep spreading misinformation, including to their own elected officials, that Fernley's fair share of the CTAX will all come out of Lyon County's CTAX allotment. Our fair share this huge
fund should come out of the greater state fund which will certainly affect all entities somewhat, but it will not come all
out of Lyon County. Even the Nevada League of Cities, which we should resign from, since they apparently do not respect us as a city, opposes us.
County officials have told me that our city doesn't provide services. I challenged them on this a few years ago and asked
them what services they were referring to. They answered Fire, Law Enforcement and Health. Let's address those now:
#1. Fire - Lyon County does not provide fire protection, we the citizens of Northern Lyon County pay taxes into the
North Lyon County Fire Protection District (NLCFPD), we pay for our fire! By the way, did you know that within our
city limits that are a lot of unincorporated areas? Nevada Cement, parts of Donner Trails Subdivision, to name a
few. These areas would not receive protection from a City Fire Department, that is why NLCPFD makes sense for
our community.
#2. Law Enforcement - When it comes to Law Enforcement, we pay for that too, through the county property taxes we
ALL pay that ends up in the county coffers. The last time I checked the City of Fernley has almost half of the assessed
valuation of the entire county, but the City of Fernley gets a small fraction of property taxes, the rest goes to Lyon County. So, please don't tell me that the citizens of Fernley don't pay a fair share for our county's law enforcement budget.
#3. Heath & Human Services - ALL counties do that! These services are county functions state-wide, just like Washoe
County provides those service and more for Reno & Sparks.
They say that we need a City of Fernley Police Department. Why do this? Have we learned nothing from our neighbors,
Reno, Sparks and Washoe County? Their elected officials are aware that they are paying for duplicate management of
duplicating public safety entities, and are trying to consolidate them. But, layers of bureaucrats and unions are fighting
them. They've had documented cases of bureaucratic disputes, while public safety events were in progress over which
agency was going to respond and had jurisdiction over for budgetary reasons. We just don't need that here.
I would support for the City of Fernley to reimburse Lyon County by contract a certain portion of our law enforcement,
but only if we are receiving a fair share of the CTAX proceeds and have input during the budget process on what services
and staffing we would receive. Right now the Lyon County Sheriff's Department handles 100% of Fernley's law enforcement and the minute we would have our own Police Department they would consider North Lyon County a drivethrough zone, except in certain cases. We would need at least the level we have now, plus more deputies, that we
could pay for. Right now, the city can pay nothing.
Why are the citizens of Fernley only worth $7 each in CTAX Funds? When surrounding cities are worth hundreds of dollars more? We need Assemblywoman Robin Titus and Senator James Settelmeyer to explain this to us at public
meetings, now that the Nevada Legislative session is coming to an end. Are they standing with us or against us? By the
way, I now understand that they think that the city should just raise taxes on our citizens, instead of us getting a fair
share of the CTAX.
15 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
Fernley Fair Share Committee
Continued from page 15……
Something of interest... Just about everyone involved at ALL levels
(from the Governor on down) has told us privately that they agree Fernley is getting screwed by the CTAX Formula, but no one is willing to right
this wrong out of fear of political reprisal.
As for Fernley's Fair Share of the CTAX, fortunately we don't live in a
pure democracy form of government, we live in a republican form of
government. We have 3 branches of government, one of which, the
Judicial Branch, is supposed to be immune from politics. So, later this
year the Supreme Court will either rule in Fernley's favor or I'm in favor
of taking it to the next step, which is back to the Federal level. We had
filed a Federal Lawsuit first and they told us to go back and work it out
with the State of Nevada. The State Supreme Court is our last hope of that happening. Let's hope that justice prevails in our
state, because the political branches have sure let us down.
We also need to research and hold accountable every one of our candidates and incumbents on this very issue in our next election. We also need to get word out to our citizens to Stand Up For Fernley!
Sincerely Yours,
Cal Eilrich, Councilman
City of Fernley - Ward 5
Visit http://www.councilmancaleilrich.com to read more of his opinion and perspective
Fair Share Committee Receives Radio Air Time
Uncommon Sense with Katie Coombs, a Reno-based radio program airing on KNEWS 107.3, hosted the Fernley Fair Share Committee on Saturday, June 6th from 5-7pm. For those who missed this program, it is available online at Katie Coombs / Uncommon
Sense website located at http://katiecoombsuncommoncsense.com/radio.html.
Pictured from left to right, Fmr Mayor Leroy Goodman, Mayor Roy Edgington and Kelly Brye, VP of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce.
16 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
WELCOME
NEW MEMBERS!
THANK YOU,
RENEWING MEMBERS!
May 2015
May 2015
Edward Jones—
Heidi Lechler
Steve’s Homemade
Ice Cream
Super 8 Fernley
Silver Springs
Airport
Desert Lakes
Homeowners
Association
Ready Mix
Delivery Diner
Leader-Courier
Larry Ratcliffe
Zip Local
Grace Baptist Church
AT & T
American Family
Insurance—
Jay Johnson
Salon 95
17 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
DENA LOPEZ, CHAFFIN REAL ESTATE
Over the last month, Chamber members attending the Tuesday
morning Ambassadors breakfasts were asked to drop their
business card into a basket for a drawing. The winner receives a
Member Spotlight article in Connections. This is another way
existing members can advertise their business and introduce
themselves to the community. For the spotlight article, staff from the
Chamber will interview the member and summarize those notes into
a newsletter article.
This month’s winner is Dena Lopez, realtor at Chaffin Real Estate
Services, and our article writer is Chamber member and volunteer,
Barbara Craig.
Dena smiled broadly when recalling growing up in the small town of
Fernley, then with only a population of about 750-1,000. She shared
memories of learning to swim in irrigation ditches and attending the
only school in town, a K-12 which is now Fernley Elementary on
Hardie Lane.
Though Fernley is much larger today, she is adamant that Fernley
will continue to be “Home Sweet Home” for her and her extended family. Her parents, Leonard Gleason and Toni Patterson,
as well as her brother, Robert, nieces, nephews, children, and grandchildren. Her only lengthy departure from Fernley was a
move to Arizona where she met her husband, David. They married, and some years later, she convinced him to make
Fernley his home too.
Upon returning to Fernley, Dena started a management services business. Her husband, David, worked in Sparks at
Safeway. Several years later, when Dena’s son, Ryan, began training and swimming in order to become a Navy Seal, he
invited her to keep him company, and she started swimming with him. One thing lead to another, and Dena soon became a
life guard at the Fernley Pool. From there, she became a supervisor, then worked her way up to pool manager, leaving her
business behind.
During Fernley’s housing boom, Dena and David purchased and flipped several homes. They became hooked on real estate
investing. Now, with Fernley’s economy
blossoming again, Dena sees her family
returning to real estate investing. And, though
Dena has for years worked at the Fernley
Swimming Pool, she will soon close that
employment chapter in her life and move on to
full time real estate sales, where she is already
working at Chaffin Real Estate Services. It’s hard
to imagine she will be anything but a success
with her deep Fernley roots and friendly can-do
attitude.
Aside from her business ventures, Dena,
husband David, and their children are actively
involved in Journey Community Church as volunteers in just about every area. And, on top of everything else, Dena is
looking forward to the arrival of their second grandchild this September. This will be her first grandson, which she
affectionately calls, “Charlie Brown”.
Best wishes to you, Dena, for your continued business success!
18 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
NEW MEMBER PROFILES
New Member profiles are one of five possible ways for our new members to advertise themselves in our
newsletter. The first way is in our listing of new members as you can see on the previous page.
The second is in a profile. For our inaugural newsletter we invited all members who have joined between
January 1, 2015 and April 30, 2015 to submit a profile of no more than 150 words and a picture that represents
the individual or the business.
A third possible avenue of advertising is through member events. If the business is holding an event at any time
during the month the newsletter is published, we can post it if we are notified before the last week of the
previous month.
Fourth, we offer all our members the opportunity to share any relevant news with the community, whether that
be a promotion, a new hire, a celebration, a retirement, etc. Again, the chamber needs to be notified prior to
the last week of the previous month for that news to be included in the newsletter.
Finally, new members can purchase ads of various sizes to be published in the newsletter. Please see page 21
for prices and sizes.
Nevada Alaska Mining Company, Inc., Robert Craig, P.E.
Nevada Alaska is a mineral exploration business — a prospect generator for NV
mineral deposit targets. The Nevada high desert is our niche area. Over the last 10
years, we have leased or sold 24 mineral properties for gold, silver, lithium, boron,
indium, and tungsten to such companies as Pure Energy Minerals, Quaterra
Resources, Golden Predator, and Lithium Corporation. New and ongoing
exploration projects include mineral targets for lithium brine, gold, silver, and
iron. Several of our current lithium brine claim groups include extensive
geophysical data and are drill ready properties/mining claim groups.
Harry Dog’s Pet Care and House Watch, Harry Wheeler
Harry Wheeler currently serves as a volunteer for the North Lyon Fire Protection District
following a lifetime career of firefighting. Harry began his fire service career in the late 1960’s
after serving in the military when he was hired by the City of Hemet Fire Department in
Riverside County. He obtained his A.S. Degree in Fire Science from Mt. San Jacinto Junior
College. In the late 1970’s. Harry moved to Reno, Nevada and was hired by the Truckee
Meadows Fire Protection District. He retired in 2003, with a combined total of 34 years in the fire service. A
Fernley resident since 1991, Harry currently owns and operates Harry Dog’s Pet Care and House Watch. Harry is
an avid collector of firefighter patches, and is currently writing a book about the history of firefighting patches in
Nevada. You can contact him at 775-835-2491.
19 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
NEW MEMBER PROFILES
Ralph Pickering, Individual
Retirement is such a pleasure when it is done in an energetic and vital community
like Fernley. After 40 years of the rapid pace of retail management with Mervyn’s and
The Men’s Wearhouse, the slower pace of life is what my wife, Linda, and I found in
Fernley. I also was licensed in real estate and insurance in California.
I recently submitted my name to become a board member for the Desert Lakes HOA
where I hope my prior board experiences with United Way and Visalia, CA Chamber
of Commerce will help to revitalize my home community.
I look forward to meeting more of Fernley and helping increase Chamber
membership and Fernley’s awareness of and need for C-Tax “Fair Share”.
Super 8 Fernley, Kartik Vohra
Our AAA-rated Super 8 Fernley hotel is a convenient stop along the road.
Located off Interstate 80 in the heart of the Nevada frontier, our hotel offers
easy access to Reno, Carson City, South Shore Lake Tahoe and Casinos. Also
near new Tesla Plant.
Every room in our Super 8 hotel has a microwave, refrigerator, Flat Screen TV,
well-lit room and coffee maker to make you feel at home. Free Parking and
Truck parking Available.
Start your day on the right foot with free SuperStart Breakfast, including
waffles and eggs, then access free Wi-Fi Internet throughout the hotel or
connect to the office in our free business center.
Our Super 8 hotel features indoor heated pool. Get a boost no matter how early your day begins with 24-hour fresh coffee.
Non-smoking and Smoking rooms are available at our pet-friendly Fernley, NV, hotel. Kids 17 and under stay free with an
adult.
Special Note regarding New Membership
The Fernley Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that we are approaching close to 40 new members year-to-date. The
Board of Directors welcomes you to a new community network of fellow business leaders, non-profit directors, churches and
concerned, dues-paying individual members. As this copy is only the 2nd edition of our new publication, CONNECTIONS, we encourage all of our new 2015 members to submit a photo and a business/individual profile of 150 words or less so that we are
able to provide you the recognition you deserve as a new member. Initial feedback has overwhelmingly demonstrated to us that
the readers thoroughly enjoy and value the opportunity to learn more about new members in the New Member Profiles segment
of our newsletter. Again, thank you for joining hundreds of neighboring Fernley Chamber members as we work diligently to support you and your efforts as well.
20 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
Calvary Chapel Fernley
875 Fremont Lane
Fernley, NV 89408
Living Faith Christian Fellowship
Sundays: 9:45AM/6:00PM
110 S. Center Street
Crosswinds Church
3015 Farm District Road
Fernley, NV 89408
Sundays: 10:00AM
Fernley, NV 89408
Sundays: 8:00AM/10:30AM
New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
925 Farm District Road
Fernley First Baptist Church
Fernley, NV 89408
485 E Main Street
Sundays: 10:00AM
Fernley, NV 89408
Sundays: 8:00AM/10:45AM/7:00PM
Restoration Church
4120 Hwy 50E
Fernley Free Methodist Church
Fernley, NV 89408
100 S. West Street
Sundays: 10:30AM
Fernley, NV 89408
Sundays: 11:00AM
Grace Baptist Church
460 W. Main Street, Suite 108
Fernley, NV 89408
Sundays: 11:00AM/6:00PM
Saint Columba’s Traditional Anglican Church
1364 Canal Drive
Fernley, NV 89408
Sundays: 9:30AM
Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church
Journey Community Church of Fernley
625 Desert Shadows Lane
396 Hwy 95A
Fernley, NV 89408
Fernley, NV 89408
Sundays: 9:30AM
Sundays: 9:00AM/10:45AM
21 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
A Note from Pastor Rod Idle
I heard a man say “When Fathers lack vision their children lack destiny.” I always loved
that quote because it stated clearly what kind of calling we have to our kids as parents.
John F. Kennedy said “Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.”
Parenting is much more than disciplining, providing, and protecting. Most of us are pretty
good at those things, or at least 2 out of 3 of those. I have seen parents who provide well
and would do anything to protect their kids from the evils of this world, but truthfully lack
the disciplining that their kids need and their kids are little tyrants. I have seen, extremely
well adjusted and socially strong kids living in poverty at times as well.
Something I have always believed to be one of the most important roles of a parent is the
Rod Idle, pictured with
his wife, Gay, is the
idea of projecting a positive image of life for our kids. This is not just done through telling
Senior Pastor at
Johnny that he’s the best! It is done through encouraging our kids to excel. Trying for A’s
Journey Community
instead of accepting B effort is part of it. But more than that it is demonstrating and
Church in Fernley.
teaching our kids to be people of integrity, have a generous spirit, and live for something
greater than themselves.
God created us for His divine purpose. He made us with a destiny in mind. God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah
and said in Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I
consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
We are much more than air breathers who take up space and so we should try to fill our space with as many cool
things as we can. We are designed by God to fill His design for our life. Then and only then will we get a chance
to live a life that is fulfilled and beyond our wildest imaginations. When we live our destiny.
Are you speaking life into your children? Do you talk about their divine destiny? Kids need to know that life is
bigger than they are but they have a big part of it!
I learned a long time ago that successful people are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, and
then they work every day toward their distant purpose.
Speak vision so your kids can enjoy their destiny! Hit ‘em straight!
22 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
MEMBER EVENTS
Friday, June 5th
Wednesday, June 10th


The Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows hosts its
summer camp for children ages 6 through 12 starting June 1st
and lasting for 10 weeks at Fernley Intermediate School. The
cost is $40 per child.
The City of Fernley holds its Planning Commission meeting
from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at City Hall

Living Faith Christian Fellowship opens its doors to the
community for the Fernley Pantry, located at Main and
Saturday, June 6th

The Boys and Girls Club of the Truckee Meadows hosts the
13th annual Reno Ballers Extravaganza, a fundraiser dinner
and auction to support youth basketball in Reno and Sparks,
Center and Main from 8am to 12pm.
Thursday, June 11th

lot from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.
at the Donald R Reynolds Facility in Reno. Doors open at
4:30pm, and tickets cost $75 with $60 being tax-deductible.

Defensive Firearms Training hosts a one-, two-, and three-day
defensive handgun class ranging in price from $100 to $250.



The North Lyon County Fire Protection District hosts its 1st
annual Fireman’s Ball including a Show N’ Shine of antique
fire/emergency vehicles. The Show N’ Shine begins at
marksmanship and fieldcraft class for $300.
10:00am, and the Ball begins at 7:00PM.
The Desert Valley Girls’ Softball Association hosts the Desert

Defensive Firearms Training hosts a one-, two-, and three-day
Valley Shootout fast pitch competition with a 4-game
close quarter rifle and carbine class ranging in price from $100
guarantee for girls aged 8 years and up. Contact Ashley
to $250.
Sunday, June 7th
Sunday, June 14th

Gift of Grace Lutheran Church celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The Desert Valley Girls’ Softball Association hosts the Desert
Please contact the church at [email protected] for more
Valley Shootout fast pitch competition with a 4-game
information.
guarantee for girls aged 8 years and up. Contact Ashley
Condor of DVGSA for more information.
Monday, June 8th

Saturday, June 13th
Defensive Firearms Training hosts a three-day longrange
Condor of DVGSA for more information.

The Fernley Farmers Market will be held in the Big R parking
Tuesday, June 16th

Fernley Republican Women hosts its monthly meeting
featuring speakers, Ron Knecht, the state controller, and Dan
Fernley High School starts its summer school program.
Schwartz, the state treasurer, at the Fernley High School
Students can choose to attend either from 8:00am to
library, beginning at 6:00pm.
12:00pm or from 1:00pm to 5:00pm

The Golf Club at Fernley hosts its first session of Junior Golf
Summer Clinics. Lessons will either be from 10:00am to
Tuesday, June 9th
11:00am or from 11:00am to 12:00pm depending on age

Fernley Estates hosts its monthly helping hands brunch from
group. Cost is $20 per child.
11am to 1:00pm with all proceeds going toward the Fernley
Crisis Pregnancy Center. The cost is $4.00, and there will be a
raffle.
Wednesday, June 17th

The City of Fernley holds its City Council Meeting inside
council chambers, starting at 5:00pm.
23 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
MEMBER EVENTS

Living Faith Christian Fellowship opens its doors to the
community for the Fernley Pantry, located at Main and
Center and Main from 8am to 12pm.
Wednesday, June 24th

The City of Fernley holds its monthly Neighborhood Watch
meeting starting at 7:00pm, inside council chambers.

The Golf Club at Fernley hosts its first session of Junior Golf
Summer Clinics. Lessons will either be from 10:00am to

Living Faith Christian Fellowship opens its doors to the
11:00am or from 11:00am to 12:00pm depending on age
community for the Fernley Pantry, located at Main and
group. Cost is $20 per child.
Center and Main from 8am to 12pm.
Thursday, June 18th
Thursday, June 25th


The Fernley Farmers Market will be held in the Big R parking
lot from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.
lot from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.

Fernley Swimming Pool joins aquatic facilities around the
world as host of “The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson”, at
10am, held at the Pool, at 300 Cottonwood Lane.

Saturday, June 27th

11:00am or from 11:00am to 12:00pm depending on age
group. Cost is $20 per child.
Proceeds to be donated to the Food Pantry.
Sunday, June 28th

Defensive Firearms Training hosts a one-, two-, and three-day
XTR handgun class ranging from $100 to $250.

The Food Bank of Northern Nevada hosts Together We Can
Proceeds to be donated to the Food Pantry.
Wednesday, July 1st

The City of Fernley holds its monthly City Council Meeting
inside council chambers, starting at 5:00pm.
Solve Hunger Concert, featuring Seattle’s Whiskey N' Rye, in

Fernley-Wadsworth Lions Club sponsored Fernley MultiCultural Festival will be held at the Out of Town Park.
Saturday, June 20th

Fernley-Wadsworth Lions Club sponsored Fernley MultiCultural Festival will be held at the Out of Town Park.
The Golf Club at Fernley hosts its first session of Junior Golf
Summer Clinics. Lessons will either be from 10:00am to
The Fernley Farmers Market will be held in the Big R parking
the Robert Z Hawkins Amphitheater located at Bartley Ranch. 
Gates open at 5:30pm with the show starting at 6:30pm.
Living Faith Christian Fellowship opens its doors to the
Seats are $18, Lawn is $12.
Center and Main from 8am to 12pm.
The Rotary Club of Fernley hosts its 9th Annual Benefit Golf
community for the Fernley Pantry, located at Main and
Thursday, July 2nd
Classic, starting at 8am at The Golf Club of Fernley, starting at
8am. Cost is $35 for season pass holders or $65 for non-pass

holders.
Sunday, June 21st

Grace Baptist Church hosts Ambassador Baptist College’s
West Men’s Quartet during their 6:00pm service.
24 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
The Fernley Farmers Market will be held in the Big R parking
lot from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.
RIBBON CUTTINGS
Last Month
This Month
This month, we’ll share in
the opening of What Are
You Missing?
Chiropractic , owned by
Dr. Jim Thompson, and
Lake Tahoe Brewery,
managed by Michael
Candelario.
25 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
The Fernley Area is
expected to grow
astronomically over the
next few years as more
and more businesses
move into the RenoTahoe Industrial Park.
As people move to our
small city, the need for
local businesses will
also grow. We, at the
Fernley Chamber of
Commerce, want to
share in the growth,
specifically in
encouraging new
businesses to join the
chamber and welcoming
businesses to the
community as they
open. Last month, we,
along with Mayor Roy
Edgington, shared in the
re-opening of Anytime
Fitness. As you become
aware of a new
business coming to
Fernley, please spread
the word about the
Chamber. We would
love to be there as they
open their doors to the
Fernley community!
MEMBER NEWS
Member news is one of five possible ways for all of our members to advertise themselves in our newsletter.
The first way is in our listing of all our members as you can see on page 10.
The second is in a profile. Beginning with our June newsletter, we will be profiling one renewing business per
month. If you would like to be considered for our profile of the month, please contact the chamber for an
interview. Depending on the interest, the newsletter may include two profiles per month.
A third possible avenue of advertising is through member events. If the business is holding an event at any
time during the month the newsletter is published, we can post it if we are notified before the last week of the
previous month.
Fourth, we offer all our members the opportunity to share any relevant news with the community, whether
that be a promotion, a new hire, a celebration, a retirement, etc. Again, the chamber needs to be notified
prior to the last week of the previous month for that news to be included in the newsletter.
Finally, all members can purchase ads of various sizes to be published in the newsletter. Please see page 21 for
prices and sizes.
LL Realty
May was tenant appreciation month at LL Realty, Inc. Picture
the excitement of all of the staff in honoring our tenants.
We celebrated with ice cold bottled water, refreshments
and great prizes from Starbucks, Pizza Factory and Black
Bear Diner. It’s important to support our local businesses
during an exciting time of celebrating our tenants.
Four hundred tenants stopped by May 1st through the 5th to pay their rent and pick up a raffle ticket. The tenants
who paid online and by phone were also entered into the raffle. One tenant remarked that she had never felt
appreciated as a tenant before and that this made her feel special.
LL Realty, Inc. strives to maintain a healthy, safe and enjoyable environment for all of their tenants and could not
achieve this goal without tenant cooperation. LL Realty, Inc. thanks their tenants and hopes their 2015 is very
prosperous.
Did You Know?

Two Fortune 1000 companies operate in
Fernley: MSC Industrial Supply and SherwinWilliams
26 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
Did You Know?

The retail trade industry in Fernley boasts the
most number of employees in Fernley?
Manufacturing is second.
MEMBER NEWS
Fernley Estates
Fernley Estates, in their mission to give back to those who have given
so much is proud to partner with the Ageless Aviation Dreams
Foundation, an organization that gives military veterans who are now
senior citizens the opportunity to ride in the cockpit of an airplane
used to train military aviators in the early 30s.
To learn more about the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, you can view the following CBS News video: http://
www.cbsnews.com/videos/war-veterans-take-to-the-sky/
Fernley Builders Association
At the last meeting of the Fernley Builder's Association (FBA), members judged the home
designs submitted by students of the CAD program.
Each year (except for one year when the economy was at it's lowest) the
Fernley Builder's Association (FBA) gave a scholarship to the best home
design submitted by a student in the CAD program at Fernley High School.
Approximately ten years ago, the FBA purchased a lot at the golf course and
built a winning CAD home design on the lot. Upon the sale of he home, FBA
was fortunate enough to provide the sum of $42,000,00 to the Fernley High
School.
Once again, FBA has purchased a lot at the golf course with the intent of
building another winning home design submitted by the CAD program. This
will be accomplished when, once again, the economy allows.
Last year, 2014, a $500.00 scholarship for his home design was awarded to
Dillon Maguin. Dillon was a junior at Fernley High School at that time.
This year, 2015, a $500.00 scholarship for her home design was awarded to Shelby O'Herron. Shelby is a junior at
Fernley High School.
A 2nd scholarship, in the amount of $250.00, was generously donated by Mayor Roy Edgington and was awarded to
Dillon Maguin for his 2015 home design. Dillon is a senior at Fernley High School.
Due to the fact that only seniors receive certificates for scholarships, Dillon will receive a certificate for a
scholarship on senior night for the sum of $750.00. Shelby will wait as Dillon did and receive her certificate when
she is a senior on senior night. She may also submit another home design next year.
Students who receive scholarships will receive the scholarship proceeds only when they are enrolled
in a trade school, community college or university. The scholarship proceeds will then be
forwarded directly to the school.
27 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
MEMBER NEWS
Banner Health
Jason Bezozo has been named Vice President, Government Relations for Banner Health. Bezozo has
been serving Banner as the Senior Program Director of Government Relations since 2006 when he joined the
organization. Bezozo provides leadership and oversight of the organization’s government relations functions and
coordinates efforts on legislative and regulatory activities.
Bezozo previously worked at the Arizona State Senate as the Senior Legislative Research Analyst for the Senate
Health Committee where he worked on health care policy related to Medicaid, insurance, public health and health
care professions. He also served as an Assistant Director for the Senate Research Staff. In 2002, he joined the
Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association as the Director of Government Affairs and Policy. In that role, he
advocated on behalf of Arizona’s hospitals before the Arizona State Legislature and Executive agencies. He
graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in History, and he has an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Dave Kriesand will join Banner Health June 1 as Vice President of the Consumer Experience Center. Kriesand comes
to Banner after nearly 20 years with American Express in Phoenix,
serving in numerous consumer service leadership positions that
significantly contributed to meeting consumer needs wherever they
engaged American Express, most recently as Vice President, Merchant
Servicing Americas, World Service.
As the leader of the Consumer Experience Center for Banner, Kriesand will focus not only on how Banner responds
to consumers, but also how the organization proactively reaches out to them. His purview will include
consumer engagement via phone from a traditional perspective and on mobile platforms, online chat,
email and selected areas of consumer engagement via social media.
St Robert Bellarmine Parish
St Robert Bellarmine Parish welcomes back Parish Priest,
Father Joseph O Infante, who had been away for an extended
period of time with his family. Weekly masses resumed on
June 2nd.
Did you know?
The top five types of businesses in Fernley are

Retail Trade

Accomodation and Food Services

Construction

Professional, scientific and technical services

Manufacturing
28 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
Advertising sizes
Ad Size
1 Month 3 Months
6 Months
1 year
1/2 Page
$60
$55 x 3 =
$165
$50 x 6 =
$300
$45 x 12 = $540
1/4 Page
$40
$35 x 3 =
$105
$30 x 6 =
$180
$25 x 12 = $300
1/8 Page
$25
$20 x 3 =
$60
$15 x 6 = $90 $10 x 12 = $120
Please contact the Chamber at 775-575-4459 or email us at
[email protected] to complete an advertising contract.
29 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce
Contact Us
Advertise Here!
Advertise Here!
Advertise Here!
Give us a call for more
information on how we
can serve you or your
business!
Fernley Chamber of
Commerce
70 N. West Street
Fernley, NV 89408
(775) 575-4459
[email protected]
Visit us on the web at
www.fernleychamber.org
Advertise Here!
Advertise Here!
30 • Connections • A Publication of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce