A survey of Northern Nevada’s key industries targeted for growth showed signs for expansion in the next three years, despite economic uncertainty, according to a report released on February 27th. This means that there will likely be a significant increase in Reno jobs.

Participants from advanced logistics, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and bio-agriculture businesses said that they intended to create 808 new jobs in Reno and else where in Northern Nevada. These companies also plan to spend $127 million on expansion and occupy an additional 500,000 square feet of land.

According to Tracey Buxton, Business Builders program manager for the Reno-based Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada said that “the survey is a positive indicator that these companies have confidence in the region and are continuing to invest in our communities long-term.” The agency, working alongside the Carson City-based Northern Nevada Development Authority, conducted the survey from August to December of 2007.

Chuck Alvey, the executive officer of EDAWN, believes the results are encouraging considering the large amount of attention that has been given to the region’s struggling economy of the last year. Citing the housing slump, he went on to say that “there are challenges out there, but we keep saying look at these other sectors, and there’s optimism for growth.”

The survey, which interviewed 77 executives, found that 39 of these planned to expand in both size and staff numbers by 2011. Twenty-five of these participants provided specific estimates for said expansion, which totaled over $127 million planned in capital investment.

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