Building America CDE Joins in Celebrating CALV Ribbon Cutting in Las Vegas

May 20, 2026

On May 13th, 2026, members of the AFL-CIO HIT and Building America CDE joined in the celebration at the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas (CALV) for its ribbon cutting of the substantial rehabilitation and expansion of its workforce training center.

Hospitality is the lifeblood of Las Vegas, and CALV is helping build the workforce that keeps the city’s world-class hospitality and entertainment industry thriving. As Dr. Bobbi Damrow, CEO of CALV, shared: “We are not only building a pipeline of highly skilled hospitality professionals for the entertainment capital of the world — we are intentionally creating access, support, and opportunity for people.”

Building America CDE, a subsidiary of the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, was proud to provide $10 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to support this transformative project. The expansion will double CALV’s workforce training capacity from 2,000 to 4,000 students annually and prepare students for hospitality careers that offer competitive wages, strong benefits, and pathways for advancement, strengthening both workers and the Las Vegas economy.