Gov. Brian Sandoval: Economic development is a team sport

On Jan. 3 of this year, I stood on the steps of the Nevada Capitol and told the people of Nevada that I am committed to fulfilling the promise of opportunity that brought this state into the Union. I recognize the challenges of our time, but I know that Nevadans always fight their way back from the brink - and I have promised to do everything I can as governor to keep the state headed forward, out of the current economic reality.

Just a few weeks after my inauguration, I stood in the Nevada Assembly Chambers and laid out a plan for how my administration would tackle the challenges of the new economy. With Nevada leading the nation in unemployment and home foreclosures, one key strategy for our future success was to completely overhaul the state's economic development infrastructure.

We are well down the road. A new approach has been crafted and the state is working to implement the vision of a new Economic Development Board comprising three elected officials - the governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state - and six private-sector leaders whom I have called "rock stars" in their respective areas of expertise: Kathleen Drakulich of McDonald Carano Wilson; Heather Murren of the Nevada Cancer Institute; Rob Roy, CEO of Switch; William Weidner with Gaming Asset Management; Sam Rouston of Winnemucca Farms; and Benjamin Yerushalmi with the Jewelers of Nevada.

Another key component in our approach is the SRI/Brookings report that has received significant media attention lately. The report emphasizes that Nevada needs strong and innovative leadership, which the new Office of Economic Development will provide, but that the actual work will take place on the ground: through local governments, regional collaboration or sector initiatives.

The report recommends that Nevada builds on its strengths first. We're world-class leaders in gaming, tourism and mining, and there are still opportunities for enhancements in those sectors. In addition, there are other sectors where we are getting into position to launch into international fame: clean energy, health and medical services, information technology ecosystems, logistics and operations, and aerospace and defense.

Most importantly, SRI and Brookings reminded us that leadership is the key to future success. A reconfigured government office alone will not solve our problems and cannot create jobs by itself. As the report states: "A significant element of the state's economic development strategy should ... be to aid and abet Nevada's regions as they develop sector- and region-specific strategies to promote growth in state and regional target sectors, spur innovation, and accelerate diversification."

The SRI/Brookings report is available on the state website. I encourage you to read it - and to do so with this one question in mind: "What can I do to help move Nevada's economic recovery forward?" This is a team effort.

In the long run, Nevada needs a more nimble economy - one that fosters entrepreneurship, rewards innovation and thrives on change. It must be agile and flexible. And it must incorporate new technologies and empower Nevadans for success.

It's clear that this kind of restructuring requires more than the efforts of the Economic Development Office. Fortunately, our many partners are engaged and focused: education, local governments, private sector and business groups, development authorities, workforce development and state agencies across the spectrum.

We can tell from reports provided by the regional development authorities that our current growth is coming from firms that are expanding to add jobs - even more than in corporate relocations.

We also know that the number of companies inquiring about Nevada has increased substantially this year. If we can get these companies in the pipeline, the growth in jobs and financial investment will be substantial.

Sales tax collections have increased for 14 months in a row. In almost every category, state revenue collections are running ahead of projections. Unemployment appears to have stabilized, and we are seeing sign of actual job growth in some sectors.

Nevada is on the move.

I believe in this state. Nevada has faced challenges before. And Nevadans have always risen to the occasion, worked together and created new opportunities. Our history is steeped in our ability to overcome adversity. Our future will be, as well.

But we will succeed only if we work together. Economic development, and indeed the building of a community, is a team sport. There is a role for each one of us to play - doing the work, and believing that Nevada's best days are yet to come. The work is only just beginning. I can see success on the horizon. And I look forward to getting there together.

• Gov. Sandoval can be reached on his website at gov.nv.gov.