Industrial park developer Jim Kingzett views on-site availability of geothermal power as a lure that will convince tenants to Churchill Gateway Commerce Park near Hazen, about 8 miles east of Fernley.
"You'll find in corporate America today a desire to be green in business because it's good for their corporate image," says Kingzett, managing member of Geothermal Rail Industrial Development LLC and Geothermal Resources Industrial Development LLC.
Combined, the companies own 4,500 acres. The small group of investors began buying property between Fernley and Hazen in 1995, seeking an industrial park site with rail service, highway access and geothermal resources.
"Ten years back when looking for land, we were pioneers," Kingzett recalls.
The partners did some preliminary exploration on the property before leasing geothermal development rights to Vulcan Power Company of Oregon. It will drill test wells in an attempt to find suitable locations for power plants, says Kingzett.
With planning and permitting tasks completed, the developers now seek residential and industrial buyers for parcels at the renewable energy park. It offers 2- to 5-acre lots and larger parcels for developers.
Jeff Dakin of Coldwell Banker Village Realty in Fernley is brokering the sales at Churchill Gateway Commerce Park.
