Nevada District Produces Profitable Results

Editor’s note: The Digest recently spoke with Mary Lou Bentley, Executive Director of the Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) in Carson City, Nevada to discuss the contributions that WNDD — the only economic development district in the state —has made to the seven-county region, and the economic impact that has resulted. Bentley, who was instrumental in bringing NADO’s 35th Annual Training Conference to Reno, September 28 – October 1, 2002, also highlighted some of the exciting attractions that training conference attendees can expect while visiting Nevada.

Digest: Can you give a brief overview of the types of economic development programs in which your organization is involved?

Bentley: As the only designated and funded Economic Development Administration (EDA) Economic Development District in Nevada, WNDD maintains the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the seven-county region. Regional strategies include public infrastructure to support private sector investment and employment, tourism, transportation, and affordable housing.

WNDD has written millions of dollars in EDA public works grants for our local governments. Our most successful project has been the community of Fernley located east of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, on I-80. Once only a small bedroom community with a failing wastewater treatment plant, Fernley is Nevada’s newest incorporated city and is now home to Quebecor, one of the largest printing companies in the world, Amazon.com, Trex, MSC, UPS Campus, and other large national companies. More than 5,000 private sector jobs have been created as a direct result of EDA’s investment in replacing the wastewater treatment plant and subsequently doubling the plant’s capacity.

Digest: What other projects are you involved in?

Bentley: WNDD has also assisted in efforts to restore the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad (V&T) between Virginia City and Carson City. An EDA Technical Assistance grant to WNDD funded a feasibility study to determine the economic impact of restoring this historic railroad and whether or not the restored railroad could operate without continuing public subsidies. Most of the original right-of-way has been acquired. Once restored, the V&T Railroad will serve as a destination tourist attraction and is expected to generate major private sector investments and employment opportunities.

Our Transportation Committee meets to discuss local and regional transportation issues and priorities. The committee is also working closely with Nevada DOT to improve local input and participation in the statewide transportation planning.

WNDD established the Western Nevada HOME Consortium (WNHC) to address the need to provide affordable housing for area workers. The WNHC is comprised of one elected official from each of our region’s seven counties and four incorporated cities. Lyon County serves as Lead Agency, and we administer the consortium’s affordable housing program and delivers the region’s First-time Homebuyer Assistance Program. The WNHC is responsible for approximately $1 million per year in HUD HOME and Nevada Housing Division funds.

Our organization has also received a USDA Rural Business Opportunity Grant that allows us to dedicate staff time to assisting the region’s most distressed county.

Digest: How has the work you are doing impacted the regions you represent economically and/or socially?

Bentley: WNDD’s efforts have resulted in a broadened and diversified tax base for the region, thousands of private sector jobs and millions of dollars in private sector investment. In the four years we have operated affordable housing programs, 80 multi-family units have been constructed, over 30 self-help single-family homes have been constructed, and over 50 first-time homebuyers have been assisted. Three communities are beginning owner-occupied housing rehabilitation projects that are expected to assist 30-50 homeowners.

Digest: The Western Nevada DD is the only district in the state. How would you say your organization’s experiences differ from those areas that have more than one?

Bentley: Nevada has not identified sub-state regions, and WNDD is the only regional council/economic development district. We have no peer group to turn to for advice, encouragement, or consolation, and there is no opportunity to coordinate and deliver programs on a statewide basis.

We are developing state legislation that will establish sub-state regions, recognize WNDD and encourage the formation of similar organizations. We hope the legislation will pass during the 2003 Nevada legislative session, and that, as a result, Nevada can “catch up” with the rest of the country.

Digest: The business of tourism has been a positive economic development strategy in Nevada. It is considered a popular vacation spot because of its scenery and casinos. In what other areas would you say Nevada has a lot to offer from an economic standpoint?

Bentley: Nevada has been extremely successful in attracting new and expanding businesses due to the absence of both a state individual income tax and business inventory tax. These factors plus our proximity to the western and California markets, comparatively low property taxes, and reasonable business restrictions make Nevada a state with a generally business-friendly environment.

Digest: Even though there is just one district, would you say economic development is strong in your region?

Bentley: Our seven counties are both urban and rural. Those counties and communities nearest to the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area have been more successful in attracting new and expanding businesses than their rural counterparts.

WNDD has engaged the University of Nevada-Reno Economic Development Center to match business clusters with both our urban and our more rural counties and communities. We hope this information will allow all our counties and communities to target their marketing efforts and funds to those businesses most likely to locate in their areas.

We believe that as businesses come to our region, rural counties will become more like their “near-urban” counterparts and will enjoy a comparable level of economic success.

Digest: Reno is the host city for NADO’s 35th Annual Training Conference. What should visitors keep in mind while attending the training conference and visiting the city?

Bentley: We are thrilled to host NADO’s 35th Training Conference, and we’re confident that attendees will thoroughly enjoy their visit to northern Nevada.

Don’t come to northern Nevada expecting to find Las Vegas – it isn’t here. Northern Nevada is where real people live and work. Reno boasts numerous casinos and big name entertainment, but we have what Vegas does not – beautiful mountains, magnificent Lake Tahoe, and a climate we call heaven. The days will be warm and the nights will be cool. Remember to bring a sweater or light jacket.

And, visit Carson City, Lake Tahoe, Stateline, and historic Virginia City. If you’re driving, please take a few minutes to tour the round courthouse in Lovelock, check out the Maze in Fallon, and Pyramid and Walker Lakes. You’ll want to watch for herds of wild horses as you’re driving through the region. Be sure to leave with a schedule of upcoming events so that you can plan a subsequent visit. There are balloon races, Street Vibrations (motorcycles), Hot August Nights when thousands of vintage cars compete and everyone becomes a teenager from the 50s. There really is something for everybody in northern Nevada. I hope everyone will have a wonderful time and that the NADO Conference will be a huge success!

For More Information Contact: Mary Lou Bentley at 775/883-7333 or wndd@aol.com. Or visit www.travelnevada.com for tourist information.

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