ELKO – Last year at this time things looked pretty dire for Elko and the world, in general. Many businesses remained closed to the public and restaurants were still primarily serving to-go orders. Numerous people lost their jobs. Events that usually bring cheer this time of year were canceled. The New Year loomed with few signs of a let-up in the virus or the economic woes.
In June 2021, Elko city and county officials were working hard to help local businesses recover from the lockdown. A new “Shop Local” campaign was scheduled.
“It’s all part of the reopening/recovery process,” said Elko Mayor Reece Keener. “The city has committed $30,000 toward advertising for a shop local campaign. We are just encouraging consumers to spend dollars with locally owned businesses, particularly the non-essential businesses that were forced to close during the shutdown.”
Keener said local restaurants owners, massage ther -ists, barbers, cosmetologists and nail technicians suffered under the lockdown.
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“They were forced to close by the government and given no resources,” he said.
Ruby Mountain Heli-Ski and its Ruby 360 Lodge were among the businesses helped by the federal Paycheck Protection Program through loans extended by Greater Commercial Lending, a subsidiary of Greater Nevada Credit Union.
The company said it extended the most PPP loans of any credit union in the United States during the coronavirus pandemic. These SBA-backed loans were created to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis.
“We had to close down our business in early March (2020),” said Heli-Ski co-owner Francy Royer in a video put out by GNCU.org. “For us two weeks is tremendous revenue.”
Despite all of the economic turmoil, some businesses opened or grew over the past year. Allison and Jonathan Allison have run Princess and a Redneck Allison online since 2017. In November 2020 the couple also purchased Code 3 Uniforms and opened a brick and mortar shop at 180 Idaho St.
Others with small business ideas braved the uncertainty.
According to City of Elko Business Licensing Clerk Debbie Henseler, in 2020 there were 171 new business licenses issued and for 2021 there have been 177.
According to Keener, a few businesses had to close down, including Jimmy Johns.
“We are really blessed to be a 24/7 mining based economy here,” Keener recently said. “Regardless of Covid or not, the mines are still operating, they are still producing, they are still hiring people. They have been extremely generous.”
By the end of the year, the Elko-Eureka micropolitan area unemployment rate was down to 2.3%. That’s the lowest rate in Nevada and even lower than it was just before the pandemic.
Keener noted the fact that two fiber-based network providers are coming to the area.
“One is Anthem Broadband,” he said. They are partnered with Nevada Gold Mines. The other one is Churchill County Communications and they are building out in the downtown area to get the fiber to Spring Creek. Elko is in the bottom 10 markets of the worst broadband service markets. We are going to be cat -ulted into having one of the 10 best broadband offerings.”
Keener talked about additions to the city that will benefit the local economy.
“We have the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints Temple coming in,” he said. “Exit 303 has already been on ‘the grow’ and that is going to provide the catalyst for more growth in that area.”
“It will result in a tremendous amount of additional visitations for things like weddings and other special ceremonial events,” he said.
Keener said the lodging tax has made a solid recovery.
“We have seen numbers that are even better than 2019 numbers.”
“When we started to recover (from pandemic restrictions), there was almost an increase beyond normal,” said Elko City Manager Curtis Calder. “We saw room revenues go way up at the end of 2020. Towards the end of summer and fall, we started to get special events back. We haven’t seen those big shutdowns.”
For 2021 room taxes have stayed strong, according to Calder. City staff are still compiling the data from the year.
Calder said ARPA will help the tourism industry further. Elko entities that receive room tax revenue — such as the Elko Convention Center, the City of Elko, Fair Board and others — will be able to make up for their revenue loss from 2020.
“Everybody should be made at least whole,” Calder said.
“We have $27.5 million of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding,” Keener said. “It’s designed for infrastructure. We are going to try to use that money to really key things up for future development. We’ve been short on housing units, they just can’t build them fast enough. That will open up more opportunities for builders at higher elevation areas.”
He said about 600 acres will open up for development near Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, located on a hill at 1700 Stitzel Road.
According to Calder, the Elko City Council carved out $18 million of those funds for water infrastructure projects.
Keener also talked about a new -artment building going up near the hospital and another on Manzanita.
“We haven’t seen any new -artments for a few years,” he said. “Looking at the November 2021 permits for the City of Elko Building Department, in 2020 through November, they issued 359 permits and this year through November 2021 they have issued 404 permits.”
Some of those might be for remodels or signs, he added.
However, Keener pointed out that 72 permits were issued for single family residences in 2020 and 98 have been issued for 2021.
Keener also mentioned the new community hospital. He said it will provide another resource and competition in local health care, which is good for consumers.
Nonprofit organizations were still hurting from the crisis this year, but local business owners, including automobile sellers, banded together last year and this year to raise funds for community organizations. This year the group raised $32,800.
The Elko Convention Center was able to host a regular “Festival of Trees” in early December of this month. The event raised $31,110, according to ECVA Executive Director Katie Neddenriep. Funds will be donated to Community Foundation of Elko County, Elite Futbol Club, Elko Hockey Association and Zero Suicides Elko County.
Calder said that the airline industry was hit hard, which is part of the reason SkyWest is ending its mid-day flight here.
“According to them, between January and October, they lost $1 million on the Elko route,” Calder said. “Elko is a business market and people were working at home doing Zoom meetings, not flying as much. When Newmont was here, they had people flying to Denver all the time to the corporate headquarters. That is not h -pening as much.”
Calder said he and the City Council are working on a minimum revenue guarantee to help the airline stay with the community.
Calder said City offices have been impacted daily by Covid from an operational perspective.
“In every department we have had people getting sick. If someone gets a normal cold, that triggers the testing requirement,” he said.
Employees cannot be in the office until their tests come back negative.
“Fifty percent of the people that are sick are coming back positive with Covid. If they do come back positive, we lose them for a minimum of 10 days.”
The City manages the cemetery. The upsurge in deaths has kept them busy, but they have maintained services.
“We will be as h -py as anybody else when the pandemic is officially over.”
2018 walking tour of downtown Elko, store by store
232 3rd Street – Fast Computer Repair
Owner: Tasa Properties LLC
Taxable Value: $87,657
Constructed: 1910
238 3rd Street – vacant
Owner: Nevtahrado LLC
Taxable Value: $59,174
Constructed: 1937
245 3rd St – vacant
Owner: Ormaza Series LLC
Taxable Value: $543,203
Constructed: 1939
275 3rd St – Post Office
Owner: USA (Post Office)
Taxable Value: $1,048,666
Constructed: 1920
303 3rd St – vacant
Owner: Vacant/Parker Solutions
Taxable Value: $60,543
Constructed: ??
345 4th Street – Commercial Casino
Owner: Northern Nevada Asset Holdings
Taxable Value: $1,791,957
Constructed: 1903
345 4th Street – Commercial Casino
Owner: Northern Nevada Asset Holdings
Taxable Value: $1,791,957
Constructed: 1903
321 5th St – Nevada State Bank
Owner: Nevada State Bank
Taxable Value: $393,511
Constructed: 1916
369 5th St – Carlin Trend
Owner: DC & DJ Knight
Taxable Value: $198,463
Constructed: 1949
374 & 376 5th St – Cowboy Joe & Stray Dog
Owner: City Center One LLC
Taable Value: $177,089
Constructed: 1934
382 5th St -McAdoo’s
Owner: City Center One LLC
Taable Value: $177,089
Constructed: 1934
386 5th St – Indigo – Gifts That Inspire
Owner: City Center One LLC
Taable Value: $177,089
Constructed: 1934
392 5th – LCA Building
Owner: J Quaid Investments Series 2 LLC
Taxable Value:
Constructed: 1948
397 5th St – vacant
Owner: Sonora LLC
Taxable Value: $166,009
Constructed: 1910
246 6th St – Aguila de Oro
Owner: Salvador Uribe-Quintero Trust
Taxable Value: $97,011
Constructed: 1968
244 6th St – Tom’s Custom Tattoo
Owner: Salvador Uribe-Quintero Trust
Taxable Value: $97,011
Constructed: 1968
332 6th St – Jet Coin Laundry
Owner: Jet Coin LLC
Taxable Value: $296,566
Constructed: 1965
736 Idaho St – Rodeway Inn
Owner: BJHS LLC
Taxable Value: $548,811
Constructed: 1960
801 Idaho St – US Bank
Owner: US Bank National Association
Taxable Value: $637,900
Constructed: 1998
810 Idaho St – Stewart Title Company
Kunz Properties LLC
Taxable Value: $698,414
Built: ??
927 Idaho St – Lisa K. Mendez, attorney
Owner: Patrick & Catalina Laughlin
Taxable Value: $103,189
Constructed: 1905
540 Idaho St – vacant
Owner: 560 Idaho St. LLC
Taxable Value: $844,914
Constructed: 1923
560 Idaho St – Roy’s Market
Owner: 560 Idaho St. LLC
Taxable Value: $844,914
Constructed: 1923
618 Idaho St – Premiere Properties & Investments
Owner: Sage Hills Properties & Investments
Taxable Value: $145,806
Constructed: 1967
640 Idaho St – High Desert Engineering
Owner: Sage Hills Properties & Investments
Taxable Value: $145,806
Constructed: 1967
642 Idaho St – Elko Boot & Shoe Repair
Owner: Sage Hills Properties & Investments
Taxable Value: $145,806
Constructed: 1967
678 & 688 Idaho St – Nevada IT & Sierra Electronics
Owner: Kenneth & Barbara Berry
Taxable Value: $128,823
Constructed: 1940
700 Idaho St – Coldwell Banker-Algerio Q-Team Realty
Owner: J Quaid Investments LLC Series 1
Taxable Value: $458,460
Constructed: 1953
452-460 Idaho St – Moon Bar, University of Gr -pling
Owner: Cucina Investments Inc.
Taxable Value: $216,923
Constructed: 1930
345 Idaho St – Thunderbird Motel
Owner: Stahl Properties Inc.
Taxable Value: $635,834
Taxable Value: $551,189
Constructed: 1965*
405 Idaho St – Wells Fargo
Owner: First National Bank of Nevada
Taxable Value: $784,909
Constructed: 1970
410 Idaho St – vacant
Owner: Ormaza Series
Taxable Value: $74,377
Constructed: 1950
415 Idaho St – Sierra Jewelry & Loan
Owner: Jerry D. O’Connor Trust
Taxable Value: $102,586
Constructed: 1923
416 Idaho St – Anacabe’s Elko General Merchandise
Owner: Elko General Merchandise Co.
Taxable Value: $170,280
Constructed: 1900
437-443 Idaho St – Elko Coin & Currency
Owner: Joseph Lemons
Taxable Value: $134,909
Constructed: 1919
442 Idaho St – Cowboys Bar
Owner: Jaden Enterprises LLC
Taxable Value: $189,791
Constructed: 1921
453 Idaho St – vacant
Owner: Shirley S. Higley Trust
Taxable Value: $196,626
Constructed: 1924
460 Idaho St – Moon Bar
Owner: Cucina Investments Inc.
Taxable Value: $216,923
Constructed: 1930
461 Idaho St – Blooms & Grooms
Owner: Vincent M. Embry
Taxable Value: $218,046
Constructed: 1922
462 Idaho St – Dr Matthew H Lipparelli
Owner: Matthew & Theresa Lipparelli
Taxable Value: $64,063
Constructed: 1966
469-477 Idaho St – Hunsaker Inc., YCI Loans
Owner: Vincent M. Embry
Taxable Value: $218,046
Constructed: 1922
480 Idaho Street – vacant
Owner: Sonora LLC
Taxable Value: $166,009
Constructed: 1910
495 Idaho St – Blohm Jewelers
Owner: Theodore & Lina Blohm
Taxable Value: $529,217
Constructed: 1973
505 Idaho St – Esquire Inn
Owner: Bhulabhai & Sadhana Bhakta
Taxable Value: $417,289
Constructed: 1959
518 & 526 Idaho St – Micromine & Vicky Blair Group
Owner: J Quaid Investments LLC Series 2
Taxable Value: $155,971
Constructed: 1948
530 Idaho St – Law Office Center
Owner: DiGrazia & Goicoechea LLC
Taxable Value: $208,037
Constructed: 1920
401 Railroad St – Henderson Bank Building
Owner: Cavanaugh & Cavanaugh LLC
Tax Valuation: $577,606
Constructed: 1922
401-419-421 Railroad St – Taber Building
Owner: Catherine Wines
Taxable Value: $164,954
Constructed: 1919
425 Railroad St – Tiger’s Eye Karate
Owner: Autumn Weight
Taxable Value: $92,149
Constructed: 1919
433 Railroad St – Tiki Hut
Owner: Michael B. Nye
Taxable Value: $83,086
Constructed: 1909
439 Railroad St – Jackson Hewitt Tax Services
Owner: Phillip George Brown
Taxable Value: $48,397
Constructed: 1914
449 Railroad St – Cabo Bar
Owner: Michael R. Jennings
Taxable Value: $55,723
Constructed: 1916
451 Railroad St – Elko Barber Shop
Owner: Teodora & Eusebio Puentes
Taxable Value: $51,149
Constructed: 1916
455-457 Railroad St – Wild Iris Yoga
Owner: Anita T. Anacabe
Taxable Value: $63,631
Constructed: 1910
Goldie’s Bar
Goldie’s bar, 465 Railroad St., will be allowed to reopen, following a special Elko City Council Meeting Tuesday that overturned the suspension of owner Ron Goldie’s business license.
475 Railroad St -Glennon & Sandoval CPA
Nevada State Bank
Taxable Value: $99,051
Built: ??
501 Railroad St – Western Folklife Center
Owner: The Western Folklife Center
Taxable Value: $481,463
Constructed: 1911
340 Commercial St – Stockmen’s Casino
Owner: Northern Nevada Asset Holdings
Taxable Value: $7,958,994
Constructed: 1969
340 Commercial St – Stockmen’s Casino
Owner: Northern Nevada Asset Holdings
Taxable Value: $7,958,994
Constructed: 1969
400 Commercial St – Silver Dollar Club
Owner: MKR Portfolio LLC
Taxable Value: $131,506
Constructed: 1919
418 Commercial St – Elko Trophy & Engraving
Owner: Dale & Vicky Andrus Trust
Taxable Value: $119,469
Constructed: 1919
418 Commercial St – Picture This
Owner: Dale & Vicky Andrus Trust
Taxable Value: $119,469
Constructed: 1919
440 Commercial St – Bodily’s Furniture
Owner: Gillins Properties Series 1 LLC
Taxable Value: $203,443
Constructed: 1928
450 Commercial St – Machi’s Saloon & Grill
Owner: DGS Cattle Company LLC
Taxable Value: $85,189
Constructed: 1918
460 Commercial St – Ogi’s Deli
Owner: Isabel Fagoaga
Taxable Value: $87,434
Constructed: 1967
500 Commercial St – JM C -riola Co
Owner: JM C -riola Co. Inc.
Taxable Value: $151,040
Constructed: 1919
516 Commercial St – DLC
Owner: Jacques G. Errecart
Taxable Value: $169,531
Constructed: 1910
524-528 Commercial St
Owner: Patray Assets LLP
Taxable Value: $122,263
Constructed: 1928
536 Commercial St – Ace Glass
Owner: Ace Glass Company
Taxable Value: $118,471
Constructed: 1932
542 Commercial St – Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum
Owner: Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum
Taxable Value: $93,800
Constructed: 1907
548 Commercial St – G-Spot Bar
Owner: Gremel & Reutner Properties Inc.
Taxable Value: $113,820
Constructed: 1961
570 Commercial St – vacant
Owner: Shigamo Development Inc.
Taxable Value: $292,123
Constructed: 1926
576 Commercial St – Coffee Mug Family Restaurant
Owner: Shigamo Development Inc.
Taxable Value: $292,123
Constructed: 1926
588 Commercial St – Smokey Vibes Hookah Lounge
Owner: MPLDP LLC
Taxable Value: $142,454
Constructed: 1964
592 Commercial St – Amigo USA
Owner: MPLDP LLC
Taxable Value: $142,454
Constructed: 1964
600 & 604 Commercial St – under renovation
Owner: Jeffery C. Dalling
Taxable Value: $275,623
Constructed: 1898
608 Commercial St – Chique, Unique & Antique
Owner: SPD Properties LLC
Taxable Value: $167,560
Constructed: 1920
616 Commercial St – Young Life Center
Owner: Young Life
Taxable Value: $111,203
Constructed: 1916
638 Commercial St – Evergreen Flower Shop
Owner: Heguy LLC
Taxable Value: $94,814
Constructed: 1933
676 Commercial St – Crystal 5 Theatre
Owner: United Entertainment Corp.
Taxable Value: $1,103,820
Constructed: 1979
700 Commercial St – boarding house
Owner: Wanda L. Wright Jayo Trust
Taxable Value: $106,311
Constructed: 1889
744 Commercial St – Southwest Gas
Owner: Stenovich Family Investments
Taxable Value: $351,474
Constructed: 1973
778 Commercial St – La Fiesta Restaurant
Owner: Adolpho Gaeta
Taxable Value: $222,746
Constructed: 1961
790 Commercial St – Kidwell&Gallagher – General Moly
Owner: Kidwell Center LLC
Taxable Value: $250,566
Constructed: 1980
346 Silver St – Telescope Lanes
Owner: 346 Silver Street LLC
Taxable Value: $431,283
Constructed: 1930
351 Silver St – Luciano’s Bar & Restaurant
Owner: Lucianos Series Property
Taxable Value: $189,251
Constructed: 1948
776 Silver St – Thurston Construction Testing
Owner: Daniel & Paula Thurston
Taxable Value: $87,409
Constructed: 1972
246 Silver St – Star Hotel Bar & Restaurant
Owner: Ygoa Ltd.
Taxable Value: $272,191
Constructed: 1909
301 Silver St – Hometown Solutions Insurance
(Info not available)
308 & 310 Silver St – Downtown Barbershop & Elko Fly Shop
Owner: David & Debra Knight
Taxable Value: $122,486
Constructed: 1930
336 Silver St – The Paint Store
Owner: Richard Umscheid
Taxable Value: $87.860
Constructed: 1967
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