While emerging industries like data centers drew attention at this year’s Western Nevada Development District summit, conversations repeatedly returned to a familiar foundation: mining and the infrastructure that supports it.
For many in attendance, the message was clear—as Nevada looks toward future growth, maintaining and strengthening its mining industry remains essential.
Mining has long been a cornerstone of the state’s economy, and speakers emphasized its continued importance not only locally but also globally. Nevada plays a critical role in mineral production, supplying materials that are increasingly vital to industries ranging from manufacturing to renewable energy.
“We’re the leading producers of gold in the United States,” said Garrett Wake, the Deputy Administrator at the Nevada Division of Minerals. Wake added that Nevada is also a notable producer of silver, copper, and lithium.
Leaders stressed that the success of mining, alongside other industries, depends heavily on infrastructure. That includes transportation networks, regional connectivity, and, increasingly, the role of rural airports.
During the summit, Corey Jenkins, the secretary of the Nevada Aviation Association and airport manager for the Carson City Airport, highlighted how Nevada’s network of more than 50 public-use airports can serve as powerful economic tools, particularly in rural communities. While often viewed as limited to passenger travel or private aviation, these airports are increasingly being used to attract and support business development.
“Many people see their local airport as a playground for rich people,” Jenkins said, “but it’s also, more importantly, this business tool. And this business tool should be the primary focus of what aviation is and what it can be to the community.”
In Carson City, for example, an airport-adjacent industrial park has helped draw manufacturing companies that rely on fast, flexible transportation. Businesses operating in specialized industries, including aerospace and advanced manufacturing, often depend on aviation access to move personnel, equipment, and products efficiently.
That model, Jenkins said, could be replicated in other parts of the state.
“Y’all are the industry, y’all are the sponsors, and y’all are the beneficiaries of your communities having these airports.”
The connection between infrastructure and economic development extends beyond aviation, and for many northern Nevada residents, the most immediate concern isn’t in the air, but on the ground.
Traffic congestion in and around the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center and USA Parkway has become a growing challenge as development in Storey County continues to expand. During the summit, the Regional Transportation Commission executive director, Bill Thomas, outlined ongoing and future efforts to address those pressures.
He noted that responsibility for roadway development is shared among local, regional, and state entities, requiring coordination across multiple jurisdictions. Planned improvements include continued expansion of roadway capacity, traffic flow enhancements, and long-term planning to accommodate increasing industrial and commuter demand.
The goal, Thomas said, is for the Nevada Department of Transportation to keep pace with growth while maintaining safe and reliable access to one of the region’s most important economic hubs.
“NDOT concluded the wisest thing to do was to invest in widening Interstate 80 from four to six lanes,” Thomas said. “You can imagine, those of you who’ve driven through that canyon, it’s a real challenge. You have a river, you have a railroad track, and you have mountains. It is supposed to start next year, 2027, and they’re planning for it to be done in 2031.”
Reliable transportation routes, access to industrial land, and coordination between local governments all play a role in determining whether a project succeeds.
Summit discussions also pointed to the importance of long-term planning, including the role of federal funding in making many of these projects possible.
A’Keia Sanders, Director of the Governor's Office of Federal Assistance, spoke about ongoing efforts to identify grant opportunities and help local communities navigate the application process, noting that securing funding often requires coordination across multiple agencies and long-term planning.
Sanders said those efforts are critical in helping rural communities compete for limited resources while addressing infrastructure and economic development needs.
“There are resources at the state,” Sanders stated. “Our office is completely free. We work very closely with WNDD. Whatever money we can bring into the state of Nevada is really important.”
Through its regional economic development strategy, the Western Nevada Development District works with state and local government entities to identify both strengths and challenges across the region.
As Nevada continues to attract new industries, many at the summit emphasized that growth should not come at the expense of existing economic drivers.
Instead, the focus remains on building upon what is already working and ensuring that mining, infrastructure, and emerging industries continue to grow together.
Next week: A closer look at data center development and what it means for communities across northern Nevada.
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