Back to profile

Rob Sabo

Stories by Rob

Reno Bar and Grill coming soon to Fourth Street

The early April opening of Reno Bar and Grill may be the first restaurant venture for Shane Mathias, but the longtime entrepreneur’s experience in food service stretches back nearly two decades.

SOLUSCare helps SOLUS Technology Solutions grow

A simple phone call from a commercial real estate broker led to a new line of business for SOLUS Technology Solutions, and the Reno-based technology broker said that providing managed network support could eventually become its largest source of revenue.

Treasure Valley starts ‘Revival’ of former Harrah’s property

The developer of more than 3.5 million square feet of commercial real estate in Idaho’s Treasure Valley has set his sights on the former Harrah's property in downtown Reno.

Reno Type expands through acquisitions

Reno Type’s late-February acquisition of A. Carlisle & Company — one of Reno’s oldest businesses — allows Reno Type to continue its unprecedented growth, owner Kurt Hoge said.

Healthcare Industry Focus: Two specialty care facilities open in Northern Nevada

Behavioral health services in the region recently leveled up with the opening of two new specialty care facilities.

Healthcare Industry Focus: Conrad Breast Center expected to open this summer

The expected summer opening of the Conrad Breast Center on the third floor of Renown Specialty Hospital in South Meadows marks a new chapter in breast health and wellness for Northern Nevada residents.

Healthcare Industry Focus: UNR classes advancing medical opportunities in region

The formation of the Department of Emergency Medicine at University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine creates additional opportunities for students who want to pursue careers in emergency medicine, and strengthens ties across multiple organizations.

Healthcare Industry Focus: Executives: Work doesn’t stop to meet growing needs regionally

Population growth in the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area isn’t going to contract anytime soon. Washoe County’s population in 2023 was nearly 500,000 residents, the U.S. Census Bureau reports. In 2010, the county had just over 421,000 residents, representing nearly 20 percent growth in just over a decade.

Mark IV Capital breaks ground on next phase at Victory Logistics District in Fernley

At a time when new industrial development has slowed to a snail’s pace across Northern Nevada, Mark IV Capital is breaking ground on the next phase of industrial development at Victory Logistics District in Fernley.

GCW increases Reno footprint

GCW’s recent acquisition of Headway Transportation of Reno — the company’s first acquisition in its more than 50-year history — vastly increases the scope of services GCW is able to offer Northern Nevada customers, President Tim McCoy said.

Ioneer plans on 2025 construction at Rhyolite Ridge

After years of work to advance the Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron mine in Esmeralda County, Ioneer late last year secured its federal permit from the Bureau of Land Management and subsequently closed on a nearly $1 billion loan from the Department of Energy.

‘Economy is strong’ and ‘firing on all cylinders’ Adams says

For better or worse, the Biggest Little City has arrived on the world stage. Just as Las Vegas is a globally recognized entertainment destination, Reno has become a global destination for technology and advanced technology manufacturing.

Positron secures $23.5 million for AI innovation

In his 2011 State of the State Address, former Gov. Brian Sandoval proclaimed that technology would become a cornerstone of Nevada’s new economy.

CapRock continues buying spree in Northern Nevada

CapRock Partners continued its industrial buying spree in Northern Nevada with the recent acquisition of a 117,000-square-foot building at 55 Vista Blvd. in Sparks.

Ormat finds global headquarters in Reno

The work-from-home business model may be fine for some companies, but for Ormat Technologies, onsite collaboration between different teams and departments is crucial to successfully developing and operating geothermal facilities.

Panel: Interest rates continue to drag local economy

Real estate developers and commercial property brokers were hoping for some relief from the high interest rates that stifled new construction and sales throughout 2024, but it’s looking like 2025 will bring more of the same.

Stable and looking toward the future

Reno Public Market reflects on first two years

The two-year anniversary of Reno Public Market recently came and went, and while it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for some vendors and retailers at the expansive food hall located at the corner of Plumb Lane and South Virginia Street, RPM developer Doug Wiele told NNBW that the ship has been righted and is back on course.

New pickleball facility already looking to expand

Will Ratcliff, co-owner of 3rd Shot Pickleball in south Reno, is in a rare place for a first-time business owner.

Hot August Nights is returning to the campus of the University of Nevada

Hot August Nights is coming home. Almost four decades after the very first Hot August Nights show-n-shine was held in the parking lot of Lawlor Events Center on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, the 2025 event is returning to UNR due to construction scheduled to take place at Grand Sierra Resort.

ABTC exploring changing the lithium-extraction process

True to its name, American Battery Technology Company says it has “cracked the code” for extracting lithium from lithium-rich sedimentary clays in central Nevada.

RSCVA sees new indoor track as a game-changer for slower winter months

The new indoor track at Reno-Sparks Convention Center could add between 20,000 and 50,000 room nights each year to regional hotel-casino bookings during winter months, a time when operators are often scrambling for revenue.

Snell & Wilmer find new home

The Reno office of legal firm Snell & Wilmer will be making a big splash for its 15th anniversary of serving clients in Northern Nevada.

Newtron plants flags in Northern Nevada

Baton Rouge-based design-build electrical contractor Newtron made its first foray into Northern Nevada to work on construction of Tesla’s Gigafactory at Tahoe Reno Industrial Center.

New developments in healthcare in Northern Nevada

Anyone who has driven freeways in greater Reno-Sparks knows Washoe County’s population has grown. Between 2020 and 2030, the total population in Washoe County is expected to increase by 17 percent, or nearly 92,000 new residents.

Outlook: Q & A with area business leaders

Northern Nevada was hit exceptionally hard when the Great Recession hit in the late 2000s. It took just a few years for many parts of the country to dig out from that unprecedented economic turmoil, but Northern Nevada’s economy remained tepid well into the start of the next decade.

Lodging options at TRI Center expanding

The opening of a new Courtyard by Marriott extended stay hotel inside the footprint of Tahoe Reno Industrial Center helps increase lodging options at the massive industrial park, but Storey County officials say even more housing options are needed.

Local entrepreneurs acquire The Virgil on Wells Avenue

Reno entrepreneurs and restaurateurs Colin and MaryBeth Smith recently added to their portfolio of businesses with the acquisition of The Virgil events center.

Fernley warehouse dedicates space for business development effort

An empty industrial warehouse in Fernley could become ground zero for business development and workforce training in Northern Nevada.

Gaston Wilkerson merges with NAI Alliance

When Don Wilkerson, president and chief executive officer of Gaston Wilkerson Management Group, decided after 33 years that it was time to step away from the day-to-day duties of running a business, there was only one option he considered for taking over his company’s property management responsibilities.

Stericycle expects Northern Nevada facility to be online in a year

Jim Ferguson, senior vice president of engineering with Stericycle of Bannockburn, Ill., said the company’s new hospital, medical and infectious waste incineration facility at Tahoe Reno Industrial Center is the 35-year-old company’s flagship incineration operations.

After more than 38 years at the helm of Miles Construction, Bill Miles steps away

Bill Miles’ construction career began more than four decades ago, and after more than 38 years at the helm of Miles Construction, the 70-year-old has stepped away from his day-to-day duties in order to focus on other interests.

Edwards climbing a new mountain with Brass Tap

Brian Edwards knows a little bit about beer — good beer, that is.

Lyten picks Northern Nevada to build lithium sulfur battery manufacturing gigafactory

Nevada’s arid climate and proximity to a potential lithium supply chain are primary reasons why San Jose-based Lyten chose Northern Nevada for its planned lithium sulfur battery manufacturing gigafactory, said Celina Mikolajczak, Lyten’s chief battery technology officer.

Busy summer an economic boon

Anyone who has driven by a packed casino parking lot in August knows how busy the peak of special events season is in Northern Nevada.

NDOT starts work on I-80 in west Reno

The $55 million project to widen, resurface and improve more than a mile of the interstate began in late September and is expected to continue through mid 2026.

Lithium in the Silver State

Construction of Nevada’s next big mine is well underway near the town of Orovada in Humboldt County.

Pre-leasing interest spurs industrial build

In a time where many industrial developers are postponing plans for new construction, Tolles Development Co., is pushing forward with a new speculative building at Tahoe Reno Industrial Center.

Greater Nevada Credit Union’s cannabis banking program a game-changer for dispensaries

When medical cannabis became legal in the state of Nevada in July 2015, handling cash from pot sales was akin to a fantastical Hollywood script due to regulations that made the cannabis industry a cash-only business.

Sales show resilience of Reno office market

Two recent office property sales in Reno’s financial hilltop district further demonstrate the continued strength of Northern Nevada’s economy.

Reno Startup Week runs Sept. 16-20

When Reno resident Allison Greene attended the inaugural Reno Startup Week in 2023, all she had was a concept and some optimism.

Investment sales expected to remain stagnant until mid- to late-2025

Investment sales in Greater Reno-Sparks typically average about $600 million per quarter among all classes of commercial real estate. However, the high cost of capital, along with more stringent equity requirements for obtaining commercial financing, has slashed deal volume in the Truckee Meadows.

High interest rates: Despite rates, Northern Nevada economy strong

The high interest rate environment of the past few years has led to some big changes in regional construction lending. Local banking executives told NNBW that as interest rates spiked and the cost of borrowing increased, they began to more closely scrutinize potential construction projects, along with the developer’s track record. Oftentimes, they added, regional developers have been required to put much more skin into a project than in the past in order to obtain construction loans.

Experts talk need for increased domestic lithium production

Current global demand for lithium is about 1 million tons per year, a number that’s expected to triple by 2030.

Two bridges on Arlington Avenue are set to be replaced starting in May 2025

Summer 2025 will look a lot different than the last 100 years at Wingfield Park in Reno.

Housing outlook: Inventory, prices up in the region

Home sales across Northern Nevada remain relatively flat due to high interest rates, but median prices continue to creep upward.

Monin Americas’ Spanish Springs facility reduces transit time by half

If you’ve ordered a specialty coffee, smoothie or blended drink anywhere in the West recently, chances are it was flavored with a syrup made at Monin Americas’ western region production facility in Spanish Springs.

PowerHouse joins data center rush in region

Northern Nevada’s emergence as a haven for data center development recently took another step forward with the announcement from PowerHouse Data Centers to develop a 900,000-square-foot shell facility on 49 acres at Tahoe Reno Industrial Center.

Extended stay flag finds its plot in Reno

Echo Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham is one of the fastest-growing hotel brands in the U.S. and Canada, and the flag will open its first property in Reno in the summer of 2025.

Basin Street seeing high occupancy in Reno office space

Home offices may still be the preferred working location for many Northern Nevada professionals, but for those who want to work in an office, downtown Reno is proving the place to be.

CapRock makes its mark on Northern Nevada

Since 2017, CapRock Partners has acquired, entitled or developed more than 5 million square feet of industrial property in Southern Nevada. Reno-Sparks had long been a target market for the company, though, as it continues its expansion plans.

Prev