Reno, Nev. (Dec. 5, 2014) – Seven new companies to grow in the Reno – Sparks area; six companies that recently relocated to Northern Nevada, and one company that is newly formed here, will collectively add 194 jobs in five years to the local economy. Additionally, three of these companies will locate their headquarters operations in the Reno area.
The companies worked closely with the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) as they chose locations in Reno based on cost savings, business-friendly environment and access to local resources.
• Cuco, LLC – designs, manufactures and distributes innovative products that utilize the intrinsic bactericidal properties of copper to address the unmet need of countering harmful effects of bacteria in three specific areas: Diabetic Health, Outdoor/Activity Wear and Institutional/Facility Care. The company has relocated its headquarters from California to Reno and plans to create up to 15 jobs in five years. Cuco was represented by Melissa Molineux of Colliers.
• Fulcrum Sierra BioFuels – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fulcrum BioEnergy, is utilizing a game-changing process for converting municipal solid waste that would otherwise be landfilled, into renewable transportation fuels. The construction of Fulcrum’s new plant in Storey County is scheduled to begin in January 2015. Relocated from Pleasanton, California the company estimates 30 new jobs will be created during its first phase of operation.
• Harris Welding Supply – a division of Harris Industrial Gases, is the largest independent supplier of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, welding equipment and supplies in the Greater Sacramento Area. The company has expanded its operations from California to Storey County with plans to hire up to 50 employees.
• Orest Express – is family owned and operated dry freight service provider since 2004. Headquartered in Illinois with primary service from Midwest-West Coast and Midwest-Southeast, their broad services enable them to meet the unique needs of their customers including truckload, less than truckload (LTL), warehousing, local cartage, 3PL brokerage and tradeshow service. This new freight hub in Sparks will add up to 30 jobs in five years. Orest was represented by Dave Simonsen of NAI Alliance.
• Rubber Enterprises, a newly formed private company has chosen Reno for its headquarters and plans to create 21 jobs in five years. The company manufactures and produces environment-friendly, odorless and recyclable tire rubber material (used tires) for use in a wide variety of products including athletic surfaces, pavers, automotive parts, landscaping, buildings, and asphalt. Rubber was represented by Dickson Commercial Group.
• Tecno Display – specializes in standard and custom display showcases as well as custom store designs. Founded in 1976, the company has extensive production and display experience and is heavily invested in modern machinery and technology. Tecno will relocate its headquarters and manufacturing to Sparks from Hayward, California, creating 30 new jobs. Tecno Display was represented by Dave Simonsen of NAI Alliance.
• Whisper Jet Helicopters – manufactures a quiet technology helicopter aircraft for the military and emergency responders. The company’s single engine helicopters are designed with a proprietary technology that greatly reduces engine noise, hence the name ‘Whisper Jet.’ With a new transportation service that serves passengers in the Reno-Tahoe area, Whisper Jet will create 18 high-paying jobs in five years. The company was represented by Steve Kucera and Mike Hoeck of NAI Alliance.
“I needed to satisfy three key objectives in deciding where to open my doors,” comments Reed Baumgarten, CEO of CuCo, LLC, “a business friendly culture, ability to grow and quality of life. With the help of Joel Grace at EDAWN, I was truly able to see Reno for the city that it is and the opportunity it that offers, a city where you can literally walk next door and shake the hand of fellow business owners and immediately engage in creating new opportunities, a city with engaged state and local leaders working side-by-side with the local business community to continually improve and grow and last but not least, a city located in one of the most beautiful areas in the world. As an outdoor enthusiast, the opportunities are endless. And if you want to rough it every now and then, it’s a pleasure to travel in and out of the Reno airport. I don’t know how else to put it but, it is “Refreshing Reno!”
Getting the attention of corporate executives in other states to move or start new operations in Northern Nevada is a key in EDAWN’s marketing strategy to create quality jobs in the area. Corporate headquarter relocations are especially valuable, creating a deeper connection of company leadership to the surrounding community and signaling more loyalty to the area.
“These seven new companies are small individually but collectively they provide almost 200 new jobs to the region and a wide array of diverse opportunities to job seekers in the area,” said Mike Kazmierski, CEO of EDAWN. “While the large companies get the headlines, it is the smaller companies like these that make up the backbone of our economy,” he said.
Other partners who were instrumental in assisting these companies move to Reno in partnership with EDAWN included the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Storey County, the City of Reno, and the City of Sparks.
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About EDAWN
The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada is a private/ public partnership established in 1983 committed to recruiting, expanding and supporting newly forming quality companies that bring jobs to the region and have a positive impact on the quality of life in Greater Reno-Sparks-Tahoe.
Contacts:
EDAWN, Norma Yamaji, Yamaji@edawn.org, 775-829-3768