A Strategic Economic Roadmap for Western Nevada: Share your input for the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
(Carson City, NV – July 8, 2026) — The Western Nevada Development District with support from regional partners has been engaging business leaders, elected officials, community groups, and local experts this year to better understand the economic opportunities and community capacity challenges facing Western Nevada.
This engagement is part of the five-year update of the 2026-2030 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
The CEDS is a federally recognized strategic roadmap that identifies regional economic priorities, leverages competitive advantages, and positions in Western Nevada for sustainable growth and federal funding opportunities.
Now it is time to hear from the public. Visit our CEDS web page and survey to review the strategic document and offer your insights on this regional economic plan. Public comment/review is open through Aug. 10, 2026.
“This Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy serves as a roadmap for regional collaboration and sustainable growth,” said Sparks City Councilwoman Dian VanderWell, President of the Western Nevada Development District Board of Directors. “By working together across county and municipal boundaries, public and private sectors, and community organizations, the Western Nevada Development District members can capitalize on emerging opportunities, address regional challenges, and build a more resilient and prosperous future for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.”
The Western Nevada Development District was established more than 40 years ago and represents eight counties: Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe; the consolidated municipality of Carson City; the cities of Fallon, Fernley, Lovelock, Reno, Sparks, Winnemucca, Yerington; the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe; and Associate Members located within the region.
The CEDS is a locally based, regionally driven economic development planning process and document that successfully engages the region’s community leaders, private sector partners, and stakeholders. This framework enables the region and its partners to strengthen their leverage and expand regional capacity to attract outside resources to build a sustainable and resilient economy. The result creates an economic roadmap to expand and strengthen the regional economy and to qualify the region for additional funding assistance from the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce and other federal agencies.
The updated CEDS is built around four economic/community capacity pillars:
- Improve Infrastructure
- Workforce
- Quality of Life
- Government Capacity
Within this framework are strategies, goals, stakeholders, actions items, and mileposts.
The Final Draft CEDS was produced by a 43-member subcommittee consisting of 23 representatives from 12 local governments, state government representatives, regional authorities, non-profits, Chambers of Commerce, private businesses, and trade organizations.
“In the past five years the combined economic growth in our region has been unprecedented,” said VanderWell. “Increased employment, especially in the construction and manufacturing sectors, has intensified the strain on cities and counties to provide adequate infrastructure, workforce housing, and wrap-around services. The CEDS will help guide us to meet these challenges, adapting what we know into plans for the future of our communities.”
Western Nevada Development District is a federally designated Economic Development District (EDD). WNDD’s mission is to work in regional collaboration with public and private entities to create an environment within which economic development can occur.
Contact: Christine Brandon [email protected] (775) 315-1046
or
Don Vetter, Vetter PR, Inc [email protected] (775) 848-0670