Business briefly Dec. 11

Free LEED training for architects, engineers set for Dec. 16

The Builders Association of Northern Nevada will host a free training and exam preparation course on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design on Dec. 16.

The course will prepare architects and engineers to take the LEED Green Associate exam, a prerequisite for LEED accredited professional certifications.

The course will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the BANN offices, 5484 Reno Corporate Drive in Reno.

To sign up, call Tina Laramie at 329-4611 ext. 101 or email tinal@thebuilders.com.

VETS training heads to Reno in June

The Veteran Entrepreneur Training Symposium will return to Reno from June 11 to June 14.

VETS2012 will bring government agencies, industry leaders and veteran entrepreneurs together in an intimate forum to discuss issues affecting veteran-owned companies, according to a news release.

Attendees will be encouraged to talk with experts in scheduled sessions and outside of them. Aside from the networking opportunities, it will also feature an exhibit hall to showcase the veterans' products and services.

For more information, go to www.veterantrainingsymposium.com, email infoVETS@aetherquest.com or call 571-297-4039.

SBA to host online chat on small business taxes with tax expert

The federal Small Business Administration will host an online chat on small business tax filings on Dec. 15 from 10 to 11 a.m.

Edward S. Karl, vice president of taxation for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, will answer questions about tax deductions, credits and other tax-saving tips, as well what common mistakes to avoid.

Participants can join the chat when it happens or ask questions in advance at www.sba.gov and clicking the Web chat event under the "What's New" column.

DoD seeking award nominations good reservist, guard employers

The Department of Defense is seeking nominations for the 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

The Freedom Award is the DoD's highest award for civilian employers that support National Guard and military reservist employees.

Since Nov. 1, more than 1,700 nominations have come in nationwide; 10 have come from Nevada Guard and Reserve members. Nominations are being taken at www.freedomaward.com through Jan. 16.

Heritage Bank of Nevada tops lender list for fed-backed loans

The Heritage Bank of Nevada gave out 23 loans worth a total of $6.3 million to small businesses in Washoe and Douglas Counties and Carson City between Oct. 1, 2010 and Sept. 30, 2011.

The federal Small Business Administration backs the loans.

"At Heritage Bank, we have a long history of supporting northern Nevada businesses with programs including SBA loans," said Stan Wilmoth, President of Heritage Bank, in a statement. "We continually look for ways to help our businesses in northern Nevada to be successful, and SBA lending is one of the programs we offer and excel at."

NBC to host monthly networking breakfast

Nevada Business Connections will host its monthly networking breakfast at the Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa on Dec. 14.

David Paul Rosen, Ph.D., founder and Principal of David Paul Rosen and Associates, will give the keynote speech on economic development, redevelopment, housing and energy policy and practice.

Doors open at 7:30 a.m. and the event will run from 8 to 9 a.m. Cost is $20 for an NBC member and $30 for a guest. For more information or to RSVP, call 882-8306 or email kris@nevadabusinessconnections.com.

Residential care business opens in Carson City

Ormsby Heights Residential Care has opened in Carson City.

It offers home cooked meals every day, personal care assistance, laundry service and supervision of medications. It also boasts of being in a queit neghborhood with a large, shaded backyard, daily activities and cable television being available in all the rooms. Its staff is CPR and first aid certified.

For more information, call 883-3191 or email ormsbyheights210@gmail.com. The facility is at 210 S. Ormsby Blvd in Carson City.

Local McDonald's to host fundraiser for sportscaster's family

McDonald's restaurants throughout Northern Nevada will donate 20 percent of all sales Wednesday afternoon to JK Metzker's family.

Metzker was the sports director for KTVN-TV in Reno and was killed Nov. 13 by a drunk driver near the University of Nevada, Reno. He left behind his wife and three young sons.

The fundraiser will run from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The following Carson City McDonald's will participate:

• 2001 N. Carson St.

• 3905 S. Carson St.

• 3344 N. Carson St.

• 3770 N. Highway 395

• 3200 Market Street

Nevada State Bank gives $25,000 to fight hunger

Nevada State Bank gave $25,000 this month to the Communities In Schools of Nevada's hungerprevention program.

The outreach program feeds hundreds of children each year, according to a press release. The program gives a free breakfast to children that come to school hungry, primarily in notheastern Nevada. It is offered at schools with a lot of children at risk of hunger. It boasts of serving more than 30,000 breakfasts last year.

It also sends backpacks full of food home with the at-risk children each Friday to help them make it through the weekend, according to the release.

This is the third consecutive year that the bank donated at least $25,000 to the Communities In Schools of Nevada program.