Although the proposed Dunlieh Group data center dominated discussion at the July meeting of the Pershing County Economic Development Authority (PCEDA), board members also gave updates on several other proposed industrial and energy projects throughout Pershing County.
Board members also continued discussing a possible split from the region’s economic development partnership with Humboldt County.
County Manager Kristen Gonzalez announced that Zanskar will hold a public town hall meeting July 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pershing County Community Center to discuss a proposed geothermal project near the prison. She encouraged residents to attend and ask questions.
PCEDA member Connie Gottschalk said the county plans to post information about future project meetings on its website and is developing an economic development section that will include project updates and links to company websites.
“If you want to engage with the companies trying to come to Pershing County, we’re going to post them on the county website as soon as we learn about them,” she said. “Keep checking the calendar for updates.”
Gonzalez also updated the board on Rose Acre Farms, which plans to build a pullet operation in Pershing County. She said construction could begin soon.
“They’re going to raise the chickens, and as soon as the chickens get to a certain age, they’ll transfer them to another site in Humboldt County,” Gonzalez said.
Chairman Ted Bendure commented on the project’s size.
“It would be four buildings, 100,000 chicks per building, transitioning every four months, so you’re looking at 1.2 million per year,” he said.
Blue Moon Metals is considering an ore-processing facility near Imlay that would process ore mined elsewhere on the West Coast. Gonzalez said the project remains in its early stages while the company studies environmental impacts and works to obtain water rights.
Gottschalk noted that county officials review proposed water use through the Central Nevada Water Authority and the Humboldt River Water Authority. She serves on both committees.
Gonzalez said Alterg, a geothermal energy company, is exploring a project on Bureau of Land Management property in Dixie Valley but remains in the earliest stages of evaluation.
Solidus Resources, meanwhile, is moving forward with its mining project after obtaining water rights and ordering equipment.
The Sustainable Power Group solar project near Grass Valley remains on hold, although Gonzalez emphasized it has not been canceled. She also said county officials have recently learned of one or two additional solar developers expressing interest in Pershing County.
The board also continued discussing whether Pershing County and the City of Lovelock should withdraw from the 95-80 Regional Development Authority and establish their own regional development authority.
County Manager Kristen Gonzalez explained that Nevada law requires each county to participate in a regional development authority with at least one other local government. Pershing County currently partners with Humboldt County, the City of Lovelock and the City of Winnemucca through the 95-80 Regional Development Authority.
Gonzalez said she believes the current arrangement has not been equitable and that Pershing County has not received regional development funding since the third quarter of last year. She said county officials are researching whether creating a regional development authority consisting of Pershing County and the City of Lovelock would better serve the community.
Asked how Humboldt County responded to those concerns, PCEDA member Connie Gottschalk said the counties simply disagreed.
“We weren’t going to convince them of our position of feeling like we weren’t getting the resources we needed, and they weren’t going to convince us that we were,” Gottschalk said. “Sometimes it’s best just to get out of a dysfunctional relationship.”
No action was taken. Gonzalez said county officials will continue researching the issue before bringing a recommendation to the board.
The board also heard an update from Chris Brandon of the Western Nevada Development District (WNDD), who outlined the organization’s recently completed Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
Brandon said the regional plan identifies infrastructure, workforce, quality of life and local government capacity as its top priorities. She said rural communities continue to face challenges related to housing, medical services and workforce shortages, while inflation has made it more difficult for local governments to complete projects with existing funding.
Brandon also encouraged local leaders to continue efforts to expand Boys & Girls Club services in Lovelock. She said the organization is preparing to bring in a new chief executive officer and offered to meet with local supporters to discuss future opportunities. She suggested that a Boys & Girls Club could eventually help operate an expanded or replacement community center serving both youth and the broader community, with potential funding from private foundations rather than federal sources.
Brandon also offered to share information about how Yerington revived its Chamber of Commerce after the organization became inactive. Gonzalez said Pershing County has discussed restarting its own chamber but has not yet identified someone willing to lead the effort.
Gonzalez thanked everyone who stayed for the entire meeting and invited the public to attend future meetings.
The next PCEDA meeting is scheduled for Aug. 11.
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