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2. Government installation of Basic Magnesium, Inc., during the last war resulted in a ready-made industrial area when hostilities ceased. Nellis Air Force Base and the Atomic Energy Commission*s proving grounds at Frenchman's Flat (30 miles north of Las Vegas) represent a huge investment. These instal­lations are responsible, directly and indirectly, for a sizable amount of employment in Clark County. 3. Las Vegas accommodates practically every automobile traveller between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, and most of the annual millions of visitors to Hoover Dam. 4. The trend toward the desert is a phenomenon of many desert areas of the West — for example Phoenix, Arizona and Palm Springs, California. The dry climate, hot days, and cool nights attract both permanent residents and vacationers. Clark County is reported to have a substantial number of retired persons. Practically every building in Las Vegas is air-conditioned. GROWTH STATISTICS City of Las Vegas Building Permit & Residential Commercial Total Family Units 1948 $ 2,996,850 $2,156,300 $ 5,153,150 478 1949 3,040,800 1,283,213 4,334,013 432 1950 6,533,000 2,284,410 8,817,410 860 1951 5,851,266 2,713,696 8,564,962 816 1952 9,564,962 5,057,766 14,622,728 1^10 1953 (11 mos.) 18,833,605 4,184,428 25,333,658 (2,373> Citv of Las Vegas Retail. Sales 1940 '$ 9,457,000 1950 75,277,965 1951 79,534,755 1952 87,396,180 Motor Vehicles (Clark County) Electric Meter Connections School Enrollment (all schools) Bank Deposits 1942 14,903 5,459 3,467 $11,816,508 1947 16,481 9,114 4,719 28,743,782 1952 32,144 14,662 8,183 58,286,877 1953 36,150 9,000 64,876,281 4