Report: No signs of major short-term improvements in economy

By Buck Wargo

Monday, May 17, 2010 | 4:30 p.m.

The Southern Nevada economy will remain weak through the end of July and it won’t show substantial improvement until there’s growth in tourism or construction, according to a UNLV report released Monday.

The Southern Nevada Index of Leading Economic Indicators remained flat in April, down 0.20 percent from April 2009 and up 0.32 percent from the March report, according to the Center for Business and Economic Research at UNLV.

The tourism industry continues to be a drag on the index as reflected in taxable sales and visitor volume. Convention attendance and gross gaming revenues are up but not enough to boost the index into positive territory, said Mary Riddel, the director’s interim director.