Northern Nevada Area Profile

Located in the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, the breathtaking Reno, Sparks, Lake Tahoe area is not your average vacation destination. From the arts to the cultural splendor, from the casinos to its unprecedented natural surroundings, Reno is a city rich in both tradition and fresh entertainment.

Minutes from world-famous Lake Tahoe, the Reno-Sparks community is surrounded by natural beauty and provides near-limitless recreational opportunities. The Reno, Sparks, Lake Tahoe region has over 18 downhill and cross-country ski resorts, including Squaw Valley, site of the VIII Winter Olympic Games in 1960. Many of these resorts are just a short 45-minutes from downtown Reno, and when it’s not skis but golf clubs that are of interest, the area offers 40-plus golf courses.

The area also boasts 60 gaming locations, the National Bowling Stadium, the National Automobile Museum, Rancho San Rafael Park’s Arboretum and Wilbur D. May Great Basin Adventure, the historic boomtown of Virginia City, and world-class fishing, hiking, biking and numerous other outdoor activities. The quality of life in the region is tough to beat.

At 4500-5000 feet altitude, the Reno area offers four distinct seasons with average temperature ranges in the winter from the 20’s to summer highs in the 90’s. Low humidity makes the cool days seem not so cold and the warm days not so hot. Rain is scarce, snow is certain; the sun shines 300+ days a year.

Consider the advantages of doing business in Reno, Sparks and Lake Tahoe: Nevada tax benefits (no corporate, personal income, unitary, inventory, or franchise tax), accessibility to western markets, transportation hub, abundance of available industrial/office/commercial space, advanced telecommunications infrastructure, business-friendly regulations, and high quality of life!

Reno/Sparks Economy

Reno’s economy is principally based in the trade and service sector, with approximately 65% of the work force employed in these occupations. Although gaming and other recreational activities represent a significant portion of the growing economy and assessed valuation, the City is experiencing a gradual diversification of its business base with the expansion of distribution, warehousing, and manufacturing facilities. Approximately 25% of the workforce is employed in the fields of construction, manufacturing, transportation, communications, public utilities, and finance related services.

The Reno area is serviced by two major highways. Union Pacific railroad and a number of trucking and airline carriers make it possible to ship from Reno and Sparks to 80% of the 11 western states on a next-day basis.

Nevada’s combination of no corporate or personal income tax and its right-to-work laws contributed to the state’s tremendous growth in the 1990’s and into the 2000’s. In 2005, Inc. Magazine named Reno No. 1 on its list of the “Best Places to Do Business in America,” based on job growth figures among 274 metropolitan areas.

In addition to the accomplishments of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada in bringing new business to Northern Nevada, the City of Reno Economic and Redevelopment Agency has begun both entertainment and housing projects in the City’s downtown sector.

Over thirty million dollars ($30,000,000.00) of City and one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000.00) in private/other public investment has been made in downtown Reno to modernize and beautify the infrastructure and facilities. A maintenance district was established to ensure that the downtown area will remain clean and beautiful. The City also established a police district downtown to ensure a safer environment.

Things To Do

Reno/Sparks is home to the Annual Televised PGA Tour Event Reno/Tahoe Open, Hot August Nights, Reno Rodeo, Reno Championship Air Races, Great Reno Balloon Races, The National Bowling Stadium, Shakespeare at Lake Tahoe, and remains home to The Reno Aces AAA Baseball Team. Other popular annual events that draw out-of-state visitors include the Cinco de Mayo Celebration, The Great Italian Festival, Street Vibrations, and Burning Man — the counterculture festival held in the Black Rock Desert 90 miles north of Reno/Sparks.

Reno/Sparks/Tahoe is the cultural center of the Sierra’s. The arts are alive with the area’s own Philharmonic Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and the annual UNR Jazz Festival. One of the area’s most successful events is Artown, which has grown in to one of the largest visual and performing festivals in the country owing to the variety, quantity and quality of the events that take place during the entire month of July.

Reno/Sparks/Tahoe’s natural beauty and its distinctive four season climate combine to offer almost every type of recreational activity. The majestic Sierra Nevada mountains form the western boundary of the Truckee Meadows feature our Downhill and Cross-Country skiing resorts, while at the right times of the year, fishing, sailing, swimming, hiking, biking, camping and horse-back riding are all exceptional activity options, and less than half an hour away in the numerous mountains or desert lakes surrounding the Reno/Sparks/Tahoe area.

For event location and details, visit www.VisitRenoTahoe.com.