NorthernNVision rolls out economic plan for rural counties

Residents of northern Nevada's rural counties can preview what their county will look like in 15 to 20 years when consulting firm AngelouEconomics presents a blueprint for economic growth on Oct. 20 at Genoa Lakes Golf Club in Genoa.

The public is invited to hear Angelos Angelou outline his firm's recommendations for growth in Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing and Storey counties. Every county will get a custom plan.

But will the plans ever go into action?

"This is not something you'll put on the bookshelf and in 10 years look at it," says Weisinger, executive director of the Northern Nevada Development Authority. In fact, funding has already begun.

The Nevada Legislature has approved a budget of about $300,000 to fund a rural business-incubator program.

And, State Sen. Mark Amodei will open the 9 a.m. session, a further show of support. The Legislature funded the NorthernNVision study with a $200,000 grant.

An interim report targeted six likely industries for the region: light advanced manufacturing, clean energy and bioagriculture, business and technology services, logistics and distribution, tourism and hospitality, regional health services. The final report will further focus that list.

While the region enjoys great scenery and location, the report says it must improve in 22 critical areas. And it's got some big drawbacks to deal with, including low wages and high housing costs, limited water and land resources, lagging educational levels and a dearth of the 25 - 44 year-old demographic most coveted by employers.

The visioning document is online at www.northernNVision.org.