Why 'a place to call home' remains important to our economy

Eighty percent of Nevada Business Connection's business relocating and expanding clients are family owned, small to medium sized companies (two to 80 employees).

Most of the time, quality-of-life issues play a major role in the decision to relocate or expand.

Mention northern Nevada, and people naturally smile. So it is with certain places. Places blessed with breathtaking beauty and naturally friendly people, where meaningful work and plentiful play blend into an easy, relaxed way of life.

A single visit to northern Nevada just might make you want to live here.

In northern Nevada, the good life is for everyone. Recreation, arts, housing and education are affordable and accessible to the average citizen. Northern Nevada still ranks nationally as one of the most livable regions, offering citizens the basic opportunity for a high quality of life. The Capital Region (Carson, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties) continues to be among the fastest-growing, wealthiest, and most educated areas in the state.

The Capital Region blends a growing sophistication and big city energy with small town security and comfort. With a population of nearly 170,000 in 3,200 square miles, (54 persons per square mile) the Capital Region is also home to a vigorous economy, progressive local governments, and suburban living at its very best. Nearly everything you could need or want is cleaner, closer, safer and less crowded than most other areas.

It's no wonder that Starbucks roasting facility, Harley Davidson Financial Services, Amazon.com, Chromalloy Nevada and hundreds of small to medium-sized manufacturers have decided to invest and create thousands of new jobs in northern Nevada.

These are companies we want and need. They provide new tax revenues, technology advancement, and use existing suppliers and support services - it's the multiplier effect. More choices and opportunities for all of us....

Things you didn't know about manufacturing in Nevada:

* Over 50,000 Nevadans are employed in manufacturing.

* Manufacturing accounts for nearly 4.5 percent of the total annual payroll in Nevada.

* The annual payroll per employee in manufacturing is over 13.26 percent higher than the Nevada average.

* Almost 70 percent of the state's manufacturing jobs and 95% of its manufacturing establishments respectively, are with firms employing fewer than 100 workers.

* Nevada had a higher manufacturing job growth rate than any other state from 2000 - 2007.

* Carson City and the Capital Region are the "Manufacturing Center of the State of Nevada" with a 11.48% manufacturing employment base. The state has a 3.9% manufacturing employment base with Las Vegas at 3.5% and Reno/Sparks at 6.8%.

(The source for these figures is the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.)

Kris E. Holt is executive director of Nevada Business Connection, a private nonprofit group that recruits employers to Carson City and the Capital Region. Contact him at 771-5747 or kris@nevadabusinessconnections.com.