Seven firms bring 194 jobs to Reno area

While much of the attention has been centered on big economic development announcements such as from Tesla and Cenntrol Motors, a steady stream of smaller companies also are making decisions to bring jobs to northern Nevada.

The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada said last week that seven companies tthat are relocating or launching new facilities expect to add 194 jobs to the region during the next five years.

Three of them will establish their headquarters in the Reno-Sparks area.

The companies include:

Cuco LLC, which develops products that use the bactericidal properties of copper. The products are used in diabetic health, outdoor and activity wear and institutional applications.

The company moved its headquarters from California to Reno, where it plans to create 15 jobs. Cuco was represented in its search for office space by Melissa Molyneaux of Colliers International.

Fulcrum Sierra BioFuels, which expects to create 30 jobs at its biofuels plant in Storey County. The company’s plant, which will convert 200,000 tons of municipal solid waste into 10 million gallons of transportation fuels annually, is scheduled to begin construction in January.

The company is a subsidiary of Fulcrum Bioenergy of Pleasanton, Calif.

Harris Welding Supply is expanding its Sacramento-based operations into Storey County and expects to hire up to 50 employees.

The company is a division of Harris Industrial Gases of Citrus Heights.

Orest Express, a dry-freight carrier headquartered at Westchester, Ill, is developing a freight hub at Sparks that will employ as many as 30 in five years.

The company was represented by Dave Simonsen of NAI Alliance in its real estate negotiations.

Rubber Enterprises, a newly formed private company will establish its headquarters in Reno, where it plans to create 21 jobs in five years.

The company recycles used tires into products such as athletic surfaces and automotive parts. Rubber Enterprises was represented by Dickson Commercial Group in its real estate negotiations.

Tecno Displays, which manufactures diplay showcases and custom store designs, is relocating its headquarters and manufacturing operation to Sparks from Hayward, Calif. The company projects that it will add 30 jobs.

Simonsen represented Tecno Display.

Whisper Jet Helicopters established a base at Reno-Tahoe International Airport that will employ 18 with five years.

The company was represented by Steve Kucera and Mike Hoeck of NAI Alliance.

Mike Kazmierski, president and chief executive of EDAWN, sais other agencies that supported the creation of the new jobs included the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Storey County, the City of Reno, and the City of Sparks.

NNBW staff