Come on over

What do Biotique Systems, Inc., Server Technology, Kimmie Candy, Biodiesel Solutions, Momar Industries and PC-Doctor, Inc., have in common? The businesses are just a few of the companies that have relocated from California to northern Nevada in the past few years bringing higher paying jobs and new opportunities for northern Nevada citizens.

Since 2002, the Nevada Commission on Economic Development reports 114 California companies have moved from the Golden State to the Silver State to escape California's high cost of doing business.

There are many other companies that have relocated to Nevada, and northern Nevada in particular, but these are the "primary" companies that the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada EDAWN and our economic development partners have assisted over the past four years.

"Primary" companies import new revenue to our communities by exporting goods and services.

These companies help diversify our economy through a mix of manufacturing, headquarter operations, service, research and development, and distribution.

The 114 California businesses generated 3,742 new jobs for Nevada residents, more than 1,450 of which were located in northern Nevada.

Many of the California companies that have moved to northern Nevada pay higher-than-average wages and have shown a strong affinity to our community through ties to the University of Nevada, Truckee Meadows Community College and other higher education institutions.

These firms create valuable private/public partnerships that elevate our community as a great place to live and do business.

The companies are a testament to how northern Nevada has reinvented itself over the past five years as not just a world-class gaming and outdoor destination - but as one of America's best places for business.

In their words: "I feel like we were wanted in northern Nevada.

We never felt that in California," said Steven Sanders, chairman/CEO of Biotique Solutions, Inc., a software company that relocated its corporate headquarters from the San Francisco Bay Area.

"Reno-Sparks is not an exclusive gaming town, but a growing community with fantastic economic diversity.

We are working closely with UNR to assist with developing more bioinformatics graduates to fill future positions." "Through our relationship with UNR and others we've found a talented technology-focused workforce that has allowed us to fill positions locally," said Brandon Ewing, executive vice president of Server Technology, a family-owned business specializing in internal and remote power needs for companies.

"Since moving to Reno in 2000, we've more than doubled our operation and grown to 84 employees." Attracting top primary companies from California continues to be a priority for the Nevada Economic Development Partnership, a coalition of statewide economic development groups that promote the benefits of doing business in Nevada.

The coalition consists of the NCED, EDAWN, Northern Nevada Development Authority, Sierra Pacific and Nevada Development Authority based in Las Vegas.

For the past three years, the partnership has collaborated on a marketing campaign to build awareness in California about the benefits of doing business in Nevada.

The campaign originated in response to increasing inquiries Nevada economic development groups were receiving from California companies struggling with escalating business costs.

These companies told us that we needed to get the word out about the advantages of doing business in Nevada.

Many companies we heard from were faced with moving their business to another state or going bankrupt.

Rather than have top primary companies move to Arizona or Utah, we let them know Nevada was a smart alternative.

Since its inception in 2003, the campaign has been extremely successful in achieving its objectives of generating media coverage nationwide promoting Nevada's pro-business climate with nearly 1,000 news stories representing $22 million in media value.

The most recent campaign, "Missing," launched earlier this month, playfully depicts famous California landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge and the Hollywood sign missing only to be found thriving in Nevada's business-friendly climate.

KPS3 Marketing developed the creative behind this tongue-in-cheek campaign symbolizing the trend of California companies relocating to Nevada to escape California's highly regulated business environment, the nation's highest workers' compensation rates and unreliable energy supplies.

To view the campaign, visit www.MissingBridge.com.

As the fifth-largest economy in the world, California isn't likely to miss those 114 companies that have opted to do business in Nevada.

However, the influx of quality companies and jobs has had a significant and favorable impact on the Silver State.

The companies strengthen our region making it more resilient to economic downturns such as what occurred after September 11, 2001 and the continuing growth of Indian gaming in northern California.

The influx of California companies to northern Nevada is nothing new.

When California's economy does well, so do we.

When California struggles, we continue to do well.

Our region has traditionally benefited from its proximity to California for companies looking to serve the 11 western states.

While California is a leading market for new and expanding business in our region, it isn't our only source for quality primary industries.

The Northeast and Midwest also generate potential primary businesses for our area.

And, as EDAWN moves forward with its Target2010 economic planning initiative for the region, we will expand our marketing efforts nationwide to target key industries that have the best potential for successfully enhancing future business growth and quality of life in northern Nevada.

As ambassadors for Nevada's business climate, EDAWN's mission is to recruit, expand and start quality companies that have a positive economic impact on the quality of life in northern Nevada.

That includes those quality California companies looking to invest new capital and jobs in our region.

Julie Ardito is director of public relations for the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada.

E-mail her at ardito@edawn.org.