Bypass advertising discussed

Local business owners met with Chamber of Commerce officials Tuesday at City Hall to discuss the effect of advertising on the Nevada Transportation Department’s blue directional signs that will run along the proposed Boulder City bypass.

There will be three interchanges along the 15-mile bypass, so business owners were encouraged to start planning for the project that is expected to begin bidding in October.

The signs are limited to businesses that provide food, gas, lodging, camping and attractions.

“This bypass is going to happen,” said Larry Bender of the Economic Vitality Commission to about 15 business owners. “It may be down the road a bit, but you have the opportunity now to get all the information you need.”

Bryan McDaniel of Nevada Logos Inc. provided potential costs for the advertising.

Businesses would pay an annual base fee of $1,040 to the Transportation Department for a spot on a blue sign that would appear 1,000 to 1,500 feet before the exit, McDaniel said.

But that fee would only cover one logo out of six potential opportunities to advertise, and there could be one-time costs of as much as $1,500 depending on the logo’s design and color.

Al Stevens, owner of The Coffee Cup, said the deal hurts small businesses up front, but could have a better payoff later.

“It will help, but we’re gonna have to step up and pay on top of the other fees we already pay,” he said. “But I get it. I mean, I use the signs when I travel.”

Stevens said small businesses pay several taxes and the burden of an extra $1,500 a year could devastate them.

Chamber CEO Jill Rowland-Lagan said even though the bypass isn’t expected to be completed for at least three years, it’s important for businesses to get a head start so other agencies working on the project know what to prepare for.

“The last thing we want to do is drop the ball and have to do anything last minute,” she said.