Sometimes, a little personal attention is all it takes for a company to make a site selection decision. In the case of IMPAC Medical Systems, good treatment from the state of Nevada and city of Henderson helped the company.

In IMPAC's situation, the state and city worked together to convince the company to expand in Nevada.

"We aren't used to a small company getting that type of attention," said David Auerbach, executive vice president of IMPAC. "State and local economic development agencies provided tremendous assistance to us."

IMPAC, a provider of integrated clinical and administrative management systems for cancer specialists, has been profitable since 1991, only a year after its establishment. This may be due in part to strategic decisions such as expanding to Henderson.

Henderson location makes the most sense for IMPAC

Henderson seems an unusual complement to the software company's existing locations in the nation's technology centers, specifically its headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., and a sales and service location in Cambridge, Mass. But after evaluation of several sites, IMPAC management selected Henderson, the nation's fastest growing city, as its third location.

Easy access to an international airport was major factor in IMPAC's decision. The company serves more than 1,600 cancer centers in 45 countries.

"We spend a great deal of face time with our customers," said Auerbach. "Our employees are on site, installing systems, training customers to use the products, and servicing systems.

"Since we are headquartered in Mountain View, we evaluated potential locations in California that were more affordable than the Silicon Valley area. These were at least a two-hour drive to an international airport. Our Henderson facility is eight miles from the McCarran International Airport, which serves every metropolitan area where we have customers."

The Henderson Executive Airport is slated for a major renovation and development. When completed, it will serve as a reliever for McCarran traffic.

The company intends to grow its Henderson site to establish other product lines and for engineering testing. It intends to create a data center and a medical billing service, and plans to hire additional employees.

Las Vegas not just for tourists

Las Vegas has been, and probably will continue to be, one of the most popular vacation spots in America. And the city warmly embraces its tourist image.

But Las Vegas is also becoming a more popular venue for businesses. There are three city-owned business parks that appeal to a variety of companies.

The Spectrum of Las Vegas is a 120-acre park for companies interested in industrial or office space. The Las Vegas Technology Center covers 260 acres that houses medical, high-tech and back office operations.

And the Las Vegas Enterprise Park is specifically designed for start-up companies. The park sits on 74 acres.

Nevada Facts & Contacts

DEMOGRAPHY AND ECONOMY

Population: 1.8 million

Capital: Carson City

Three Largest Cities: Las Vegas, 418,658; Reno, 166,650; Henderson, 166,399

GSP: $63 billion

Per Capita Income: $31,022

Percentage of Private Manufacturing Labor Force Organized: 9.8%

Right to Work State: yes

Unemployment Rate: 6.3% (October 2001)

Average Hourly Manufacturing Wage: $13.59

Population Age 25 and Over With Bachelor's Degree or More: Las Vegas, 13.4%; Reno, 22.4%; Henderson, 17.3%

Corporate Income Tax Rate: no corporate income tax

Percentage Employment by Sector: construction, 8.8%; manufacturing, 4.3%; mining, 1.1%; service industries, 43.5%; transportation/public utilities, 5.3%; wholesale/retail, 20.9%

Primary Industries: gaming/hospitality, mining, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, distribution, construction

Targeted Industries: manufacturing, advanced technology, global logistics

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

Major Financial Incentives: Sales and Use Tax Abatement; Sales Tax Deferral; Business Tax Abatement; Personal Property Tax Abatement; Property Tax Abatement

Worker Training Programs: Train Employees Now

Technology Transfer Programs: through the university and community college system of Nevada

Enterprise Zones: 1; Las Vegas

Foreign Trade Zones: 2; Las Vegas, Reno

International Trade Offices and Locations: Nevada Commission on Economic Development's international trade staff has offices in Carson City and Las Vegas

Environmental Permit Assistance: Business Ombudsman at Nevada Division of Environmental Protection; Business Environmental Program

QUALITY OF LIFE

Price for a New 2,400-sq.-ft. Home: Las Vegas, $177,746; Reno-Sparks, $215,098

Cost of Living Index: Las Vegas, 102.8; Reno-Sparks, 109.3

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Robert Shriver, Director, Nevada Commission on Economic Development, 108 E. Proctor, Carson City, NV 89701, (800) 336-1600, fax: (775) 687-4450, Web: www.expand2Nevada.com