Evaluating and addressing infrastructure issues and other potential development challenges

SHORING UP YOUR WEAKNESSES

2018 Nevada Economic Development Conference

August 21, 2018By: Eileen Christensen

Data-Driven Infrastructure Planning Overview

Understand Your Resources

Identify Data and Gaps

Fill/Address Gaps

Package Your Offer

Understand Your ResourcesGetting to know all about you…

Resources to Consider

Human Resources

Demographics

Education

Skilled/Unskilled

Labor Force Occupations

Natural Resources

Air Quality

Minerals, Metals, Gravel, etc.

Petroleum

Agriculture

Topography

Renewables (Wind/Solar/Geothermal)

Water

Climate

Capital Resources (Infrastructure)

Electricity

Water

Transportation

Communication

Built Environment (Structures)

Infrastructure Strengths and Weaknesses

Do I have the people I need with the appropriate skill sets?Do I have sufficient, sustainable resources for the types of

businesses I want to attract?Is my infrastructure sufficient to support my community and

businesses now, and in the foreseeable future?Utilities (electricity, roads, gas, water, sewer,

communications, etc.)Transportation (roads, rail, airports, etc.)Legal (ordinances, permits, etc. that are protective, but

not overly-cumbersome)

Identify Data and GapsAnswering questions or knowing where to look for the answers

Typical Developer InformationRequests

Availability of existing space (i.e. retail, warehouse, etc.) or private land

Land use plans, zoning restrictions and/or institutional controls

Utilities: costs and associated capacity (water/ sewer/ gas/ electricity/ communications) and/or points of contact

Plans/need, if any, to upgrade existing utilities

Employment, unemployment, and under-employment rates in the area

Wage rates for the area, ideally by employment sector/industry

Transportation options for the area and distances (airport, rail, highway, etc.)

Typical Developer InformationRequests

Local landfill/waste disposal capacity and capability

Local businesses/services available to meet supply-chain needs

Quality of existing school, healthcare and emergency services

Local and state-specific permitting requirements and contacts

Local and state tax structures

Local and State Incentives available (tax abatements, job training programs, lease negotiations, etc.)

Other Developer Questions

When was your infrastructure last assessed, and may we have copies of your capital improvement plans?

Do you have an active wellhead protection plan and associated maps?

Are there locations in attainment or nonattainment areas (with respect to air quality standards) and associated maps?

Is the current local political climate favorable for my development?

What areas are in a state or federal special-interest zone for local/state/federal incentives (Distressed, Empowerment, Enterprise, Foreign Trade, HUB, Opportunity, Promise, Rural, etc.)

Uncertainty is the Killer of Deals

Uncertainty is the Killer of Deals

Fill/Address GapsCapital improvements and beyond

Teaming Up to Fill Gaps: Many Hands Make Light Work• County Departments (Assessor,

Buildings, Public Works, Planning, etc.)

• Local Supply Chain Elements (Business and Industry)

• Community Resources (Social Services, Community Centers, etc.)

• Educational Institutions (Pre-K, K-12, and Higher/Vocational Education)

Other Information Sources

• BLM Recreation Web Map (recreational activities on public lands in your area): https://www.blm.gov/visit

• Nevada Department of Business and Industry: http://business.nv.gov/Resource_Center/Resource_Directory/

• State Managed Lands Web Map: http://webgis.lands.nv.gov/

• County Plans (Land Use, Master Plans, Natural Resources, Solid Waste Management, Water Resources, Wellhead Protection)

• FEMA Flood Plain Maps: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home

• EPA Envirofacts (environmental information): https://www3.epa.gov/enviro/

• EPA ECHO (enforcement and compliance information): https://echo.epa.gov/?redirect=echo

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory: https://www.nrel.gov/research/data-tools.html

• Nevada Department of Transportation Traffic Records Information Access (TRINA): https://www.nevadadot.com/doing-business/about-ndot/ndot-divisions/planning/traffic-information/-folder-207

• Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Data Portal (Economic performance data, development data, local comparison, and overview reports): http://nevadadashboard.com/index

• State Demographer: http://www.nvdemography.org/

• UNLV Center for Business and Economic Research: http://cber.unlv.edu/

• UNR Cooperative Extension: http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/search/ or call: Dr. Thomas R Harris – email: harris@unr.edu

• US Census and American Fact Finder: Eric A Coyle (CENSUS/CLMSO FED) – email: eric.a.coyle@census.gov

Package Your OfferKnow your target audience

Example Project:

City of North Las Vegas

Transformation Plan

Target Audience: Community Members

Example Project:

White Pine County Housing

AnalysisTarget Audience:

Housing Developers

Example Project: Nye County

Renewable Energy Development

PotentialTarget Audience:

Renewable Energy Companies

Northern Nevada Development Authority: Nevada Certified Sites

Checklisthttps://www.nevadacertifiedsites.com/check-list/

Addresses the following areas for specific sites:

• Property Information• Environmental Information• Transportation Information• Utility Information• Grading/Geotechnical Information• Visuals (photographs and maps)

For more information, contact: Andrew Haskin

Director of Business Development

Office: 775.883.2316Cell: 775.230.5836

E-mail: ahaskin@nnda.orgWork: www.nnda.org

QUESTIONS

Eileen Christensen, CEMPrincipal

BEC Environmental, Inc.

(702) 304-9830

Eileen@becnv.com