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Business Climate  |  Quality of Life  |  Labor Market  |  Industry Targets  |  Resource Links

Carson City’s economic development efforts are focused on the benefits the community offers to companies, individuals and families alike. The community’s central location in Northern Nevada and its close proximity to states such as Utah, California and Oregon position Carson City as the ideal gateway to the western region.  In addition to the favorable tax benefits, Carson City offers businesses and their employees a great quality of life, complete with abundant outdoor recreation, a thriving arts culture, charming bistros and cafés, minimal commute times and more.

The area’s diverse economy and business-friendly environment continue to attract new businesses every year—from entrepreneurs to large corporations. Some of Carson City’s major, private employers include Carson-Tahoe Hospital, United Engine, American Building and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. As the state capital, Carson City is the seat of state government and, therefore, government is a major employment sector. However, the Service Sector represents the largest single employment category and employs nearly 30 percent of the workforce. Additionally, Carson City has quietly become Nevada's leading manufacturing community, with 15 percent of its workers in manufacturing, compared to the state average of four percent. In fact, the percentage of manufacturing companies in Carson City far exceeds the average in most cities across the U.S.

Location

In Carson City, a variety of industrial and commercial properties are available to accommodate any business need. The Carson Airport Industrial Park (AIP) provides light industrial coupled with a convenient, adjacent location to the Carson City Airport. Just south of the Carson City Airport is the city’s central business district, home to many of the area’s manufacturing companies, where land and leasing opportunities are available.

Coupled with the growing population of the community, retail space availability has attracted many national retailers which have recently expanded or relocated to the area. Further, the recent sale of a 6.58-acre office/retail property will equate to approximately 75,000 square feet of available office and retail space in northeast Carson City. 

Learn more about: Carson City’s Industrial/Commercial Sites

Climate

Carson City, located in western Nevada, is semi-arid with an average rainfall of 11 inches; winter snows seldom accumulate with the rapid thawing that comes from 266 days per of sunshine and moderate temperatures. Summers yield warm days, low humidity and cool nights with a hot spell or two in July and August.  Severe weather endured by many cities in the country—ice, frequent high winds, heavy rainstorms and snowstorms, and blistering summer heat, are rare in Carson City.  The city is nestled comfortably in a sheltered bowl at the foot of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

• Learn more about: Carson City’s Geography / Climate

Quality of Life

Carson City has a pleasant blend of rural and urban environments, unique among Nevada’s communities.  Residents can enjoy a myriad of outdoor activities literally minutes away—world class skiing, water skiing, kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping, fishing and much more. Our focus on culture has helped us develop opportunities uncommon in a smaller city. We boast arts centers, performance theatres, a ballet academy, numerous museums – including a children’s museum, state museum and railroad museum, the Carson Symphony, the Capital City Arts Initiative and a healthy population of working artists. Reasonable housing values round out our community’s rich quality of life.

Learn more about: Carson City’s Quality of Life

Transportation

Major Roadways and Proximity

Highways 395 and 50 are the two principal roadways linking Carson City to a number of major western cities. The area is easily accessible for commercial deliveries, as well as individuals traveling to the area. And, thanks to Carson City’s central location to the West Coast, next-day container shipments are easily made to nine western states.

Sacramento is 101 miles west of Carson City, with San Francisco 223 miles west and Las Vegas 410 miles southeast. Carson City also offers close proximity to Interstate Highway 80 East and West, as well as Union Pacific Railroad service, both 30 miles north in Reno.

Airport

The Carson City Airport serves the general aviation needs of the area with a 5,900-foot runway, complemented by a full parallel taxiway. The airport is currently improving its functionality to be better able to handle business jet service. Hanger space, tie-downs, fuel and other services are available. Ten international passenger and three major air-cargo carriers service the area via the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, which is a mere 30 minutes north of Carson City. More than 170 daily flights through the Reno/Tahoe International Airport make business trips to and from the area convenient.

Carson City Freeway Expansion

In an effort to support commercial growth, Carson City, along with the Nevada Department of Transportation, have made significant progress in improving transportation throughout the community. Completion of the Carson Freeway expansion of U.S. 395, slated for 2010, will provide significant opportunities for economic expansion, diversification and revitalization in Carson City. Additionally, the completed freeway promises to relieve traffic congestion, increase roadway safety, shorten travel time and simplify commercial deliveries. 

Demographic Characteristics

Carson City offers local employers an abundant, well-educated and skilled labor force. In 2003, over 55,000 residents called the community home. Additionally, Carson City’s diversified business environment includes retail, tourism, health care, government and manufacturing—all of which have been deemed long-term economic engines for the area.

Learn more about Carson City’s Demographic Information

Work Force/Education

The labor market in Carson City is expected to increase by 15% over the next six years. This steadily growing employment base is complemented by the fact that 82% of Carson City residents have a high school level education, while approximately 19% hold Bachelors Degrees.

Employees and employers alike benefit from a multitude of educational, technical and vocational programs available in Carson City through the University and Community College system. Area campuses include the University of Nevada, Reno, located 30 minutes north of Carson City; the Western Nevada Community College in Carson City; Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno and Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village.

The local school district has one high school, two middle schools and six elementary schools.  In addition, the district has a state-of-the-art Technology Center, operated jointly with Western Nevada Community College.  The community is also home to four private elementary schools, a special education school, and private business and vocational opportunities. Carson City schools consistently rank in the higher percentiles in statewide and national score achievement. 

Learn more about Carson City’s Labor Market Information & Resources

Taxes

According to Money magazine, "Nevada has the third lowest tax burden in the nation." The Silver State’s tax structure is among the most attractive in the United States—benefiting both employers and employees alike. Carson City businesses enjoy favorable tax incentives that include no personal or corporate income taxes, inventory or estate taxes.

Learn more about Carson City’s Taxes & Fees and Carson City’s Business Incentives

Infrastructure/Utilities

Carson City businesses are serviced by reliable, competitively priced, high-tech utility companies. From basic power to DSL Internet connectivity, your company can be confident it has the infrastructure it requires to maintain productivity each and every day. Additionally, Carson City is working toward offering a wireless network to provide free Internet access in its downtown district.

International Businesses

The foreign trade zone in Northern Nevada, #126, allows Carson City business firms to bring foreign goods or raw materials for manufacturing and/or assembling into the United States without formal customs entry or payment of customs duties and government excise taxes until the products leave the zone. For more information about foreign trade in Carson City, please contact the Northern Nevada Foreign Trade Zone:

Northern Nevada - Foreign Trade Zone #126
1095 Spice Island Drive
Suite 100
Sparks, NV 89431
Tel: 775-331-8010
Fax: 775-331-6745
info@griffintransport.com

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