Zappos CEO's latest deal would lure college graduates for stints with downtown startup companies.

Zappos efforts to remake downtown Las Vegas took another step forward with a real estate deal and plans
to lure more young talent to the area.

The Downtown Project, funded by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh and other investors to spearhead revitalization
efforts, announced Tuesday a partnership with Venture for America to bring new college graduates for two year
stints to help startup businesses get off the ground.

The hope is participants will make their move downtown a permanent one. A spokesman for Zappos said, "there is a good chance they will be inspired by the start-up and want to stay with that business".

"It's great exposure and experience for them" Founded a year ago, Venture for American is a non-profit organization that describes itself as a "pathway for young talented grads to become business builders and job creators in areas of need."

In August, 50 grads selected by the group will join start-up companies across the nation, including Las Vegas. Zappos said that the organization is a natural partner for us. Their fellows will be a valuable part of the community we are developing, and we appreciate their focus on job creation.

"We are going to create thousands of jobs here in downtown Las Vegas over the next 5 to 10 years." This deal echos Zappos donation of 1.5 million to Teach for America, which trains teachers to work in schools that serve children from households in poverty.

Meanwhile, the Downtown Project, funded with $350 million from Hsieh and others, recently closed on a $5.2 million purchase of the Motel 6 property on Fremont Street. The building will be demolished to make way for a yet to be determined facility.

The purchase continues a high-profile buying spree by Zappos, the former 7 -11 building, the acquisition of as many as 50 units at the Ogden high-rise condos, and of course, the old City Hall.

Some of the plans for the Motel 6 purchase include affordable residential units and retail space made up of large storage containers similar to those transported by railroads and tractor-trailers.