Nevada
Inside a Polish-Nevadan’s efforts to bring more international business to Nevada
When Rafael Kartaszynski moved to Nevada from Poland five years ago and wanted to start his own tech consulting company, he found success thanks to connections he made in the state and wants to help others looking to make the move.
He was lured to the state after having the chance to attend a Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development trade mission program that highlighted the benefits of operating a business in the Silver State. Kartaszynski went on to launch Tech Edge Developers, a consulting firm for other tech companies and startups, after moving to Nevada in 2019.
But not all international entrepreneurs have that opportunity, especially as Nevada isn’t a place with a long history of supporting novel business ventures.
To make it easier for other international entrepreneurs to find resources and get a head start in Nevada, Kartaszynski created Visionaries NV, an organization designed to connect others like him to Nevada-based mentors and those with international contacts.
“When you’re a startup, you are usually alone and when you grow your company, you feel alone,” Kartaszynski said. “In these cases and situations you need mentors, you need people to talk to.”
Attracting international companies to Nevada is another avenue to diversifying Nevada’s economy. But according to GOED, only 12 international companies have received tax abatements to relocate to the state since 2015. Another 10 international companies are working with GOED to bring operations to Nevada.
Nevada’s location on the West Coast and taxes are some of the most common factors cited by companies looking to come to the state, said Amanda Flocchini, international business development director for GOED.
“We are right next to California, without being in California, we have access to some of the world’s biggest ports, like Long Beach, Los Angeles, the Bay Area,” she said. “We don’t have personal income tax, we don’t have franchise tax … companies look at us and they go, ‘Wow, that’s nice.’”
GOED looks to boost the state’s economy by connecting businesses in the state with ways to export their products across borders and ways for foreign companies to invest in the state, she said.
What is Visionaries NV?
Visionaries NV will host networking events, conduct case studies, build a referral list of businesses and investors and help businesses navigate the government processes required to bring operations to Nevada, Kartaszynski said.
“This is about accepting people from outside (Nevada) and making this a one-stop shop for what they need,” Kartaszynski said.
Visionaries NV officially launched at an event earlier this month at UNLV’s Black Fire Innovation building. Several Polish tech companies gathered to hear about the benefits of relocating to the state and allowed the companies to make quick pitches for themselves.
One of the Polish companies, CTHINGS.CO, works with businesses to build software systems that can enable remote maintenance of machines and connecting machine operations to the internet. The company made the trip to Nevada since it’s considering creating a U.S. headquarters as American demand for its services has grown. CEO Arnold Wierzejski said he wanted to see what the Silver State had to offer.
Wierzejski said he likes the concept of Visionaries NV but isn’t fully convinced yet about bringing his company to Nevada, but he did say the state’s location and tax structure are its biggest draws.
“It seems like from what we heard so far is that Nevada is a nice gateway,” he said. “It’s close to (California). It’s close to other states as well and has good commuting capabilities to other states.”
Ease of travel is important for CTHINGS.CO’s U.S. operations since the company has clients in many different states including Wisconsin, Texas and New York., Wierzejski said.
Other international business efforts
While the state has other economic recruitment priorities outside of luring international tech startups, Flocchini said GOED looks to add international firms in key industries such as mining, lithium production, renewable energy, manufacturing and tourism. But she said Visionaries NV can provide key support for smaller companies looking to make Nevada their home and can help further diversify Nevada’s economy.
“That’s just sort of the Nevada way, right, we want people to make this their home,” Flocchini said. “And when you’re attracting businesses here, it’s sort of like you share that core value (of Nevada being home).”
Moving forward Flocchini wants GOED and Visionaries NV to focus on helping companies come to the state that have long-term growth plans for Nevada.
“I think we’re really focused on creating a sustainable workforce here,” she said. “So companies that want to move here, we do take that into account … we want to create jobs that last.”
Kartaszynski said that he hopes Visionaries NV can create a lasting impact for companies and places Nevada as the starting point for any company looking to expand or locate operations to America.
“I want Nevada to be a hub for these companies and for them to stay here but spread out in the U.S.” he said.
Contact Sean Hemmersmeier at shemmersmeier@reviewjournal.com. Follow @seanhemmers34 on X.
An early morning earthquake in Nevada on Friday was felt as far west as the Sacramento Valley.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck around 1:17 a.m. about 50 miles east of Carson City. Shaking was reported across the Reno, Carson City and South Lake Tahoe areas.
People also reported feeling shaking along the Sierra Nevada foothills and into the valley, including in Roseville and Sacramento.
No damage has been reported.
The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.2. A magnitude 4.3 foreshock appears to have struck about two minutes before the main quake. Several aftershocks have followed, none larger than magnitude 2.7.
Nevada also saw a magnitude 5.7 earthquake centered in the same general area on April 13. Like Friday’s quake, that earthquake was felt in the Sacramento area.
Dr. Miriam Adelson and Mark Davis, two leaders at the forefront of keeping Las Vegas a world-leading tourist destination, were recognized Thursday with induction into the Nevada Business Hall of Fame.
Adelson, a philanthropist and the top shareholder of her family’s companies, and Davis, owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and the Las Vegas Aces, were honored at a dinner at The Venetian Expo that also celebrated UNLV’s Lee Business School and its transformation into one of the leading cultivators of Nevada business leadership.
Adelson is the top shareholder of Las Vegas Sands Corp., the market leader of the casino industry in the Chinese enclave of Macao and the operator of the iconic Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore. Sands also built and operated The Venetian and Palazzo and on the Strip before selling the integrated resort earlier this decade.
Adelson’s family also owns the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Hebrew-language Israel Hayom newspaper in Israel. She leads the Adelson Family Foundation, the Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment and Research and is a medical doctor who once served as the chief internist in an emergency room at Tel Aviv.
Joining Adelson in Thursday’s induction ceremonies was Davis, who moved the Raiders to Las Vegas from Oakland, California, enabling the construction of Allegiant Stadium. He also purchased the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, who’ve won the league championship three times in the past four years.
Bringing the NFL
to Las Vegas
Davis began his efforts to relocate the Raiders from Oakland to Las Vegas in 2016 and worked with Adelson’s husband, the late Sheldon Adelson, to secure hotel room-tax funding for Allegiant Stadium. Although the Adelsons and Davis ultimately ended their stadium partnership, the team completed the project and began playing in Las Vegas in 2020.
In introductory remarks, former Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones Blackhurst, interim vice president of philanthropy and alumni engagement and interim president of the UNLV Foundation, noted that while many didn’t see building a stadium as a wise investment for the state, Allegiant Stadium has become the leading large venue for sports and concerts.
Olympic gold medalist Jennifer Azzi, president of the IXs Foundation, applauded Davis as one of the leading advocates for women’s sports. She said Davis was insistent on paying women higher salaries.
“I’m honored, yet humbled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Davis said.
In his presentation, Davis thanked Nevadans who helped the Raiders relocate to Las Vegas: the Adelsons, former Wynn Resorts executive Steve Wynn; MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle and his predecessor, Jim Murren; former Las Vegas Mayors Oscar and Carolyn Goodman; former Govs. Steve Sisolak and Brian Sandoval and current Gov. Joe Lombardo.
Rethinking business travel
Adelson recalled how she and her late husband saw Las Vegas as more than just a city for gambling, but as an ideal destination for conventions and trade shows.
She paid tribute to Sheldon Adelson, who founded Las Vegas Sands, and his vision of building integrated resorts that catered to business travelers as well as tourists. And she credited her background in medicine for helping her find her voice.
Adelson shared that as a host for conventioneers, they made sure there were plenty of outlets for electronic devices in every hotel suite, which set The Venetian apart from other resorts.
She urged UNLV students in attendance to follow the advice of her late husband — who learned business “on the streets” and not in college — and learn all they could about marketing and finance.
The Adelsons and Davis were instrumental in jump-starting sports tourism in Southern Nevada, widely recognized as a key means for bringing millions of visitors to the city to attend games and mega-events, resulting in billions of dollars in economic impact.
Additional honorees
Sponsored by UNLV’s Lee Business School, the Nevada Business Hall of Fame celebrates outstanding individuals who have shaped Nevada’s economic landscape and enriched its communities. Organizers say each inductee embodies the essence of Nevada’s entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrating innovation, resilience, unwavering dedication and an impact that resonates beyond their industries.
Two others were recognized for their business achievements at the event, attended by more than 400 people.
The Lieder Award, which recognizes exceptional leadership, entrepreneurship and contributions to real estate development, was presented to Alan Molasky, chairman of Ovation Development Corp.
In addition, Rick Crawford, the founder and president of the 50-store Green Valley Grocery chain of convenience stores, was honored with Entrepreneur of the Year.
More than 5,000 students attend the Lee Business School, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.
RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – The non-profit, Communities of Schools in Western Nevada is hosting its second annual Concert with a Cause featuring Yachtley Crew.
The seven-piece SoCal sensation who’ve sparked a nationwide Yacht Rock craze since bursting onto the scene in 2017. They’ve earned a reputation for selling out venues, delivering unforgettable live performances, and bringing soft rock hits from the late ’70s and early ’80s to life.
They are performing at the Grand Sierra Resort on May 15th, 2026. For tickets, visit www.grandsierraresort.com/entertainment/concerts-and-shows/yachtley-crew
CIS of Western Nevada is also looking for sponsors for the event. To learn more go to www.cisnevada.org/locations/western/
Copyright 2026 KOLO. All rights reserved.
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