‘Building a Stronger Nevada’ Shares Nevada’s New Economic Realities
Set for University of Nevada, Reno, September 20-22, 2016

(Reno, NV, For Immediate Release) – From sustainable agri-business to connecting with the mining industry, ‘Building a Stronger Nevada’ economic development conference provides the critical insight needed to navigate Nevada’s dynamic and changing economy.  Network with hundreds of connections and listen to top professionals and industry insiders September 20-22, 2016 at the University of Nevada, Reno.  Register for the state’s largest networking and economic development conference at www.wndd.org.

The conference’s multi-track format has something for every aspect of business, industry and community leadership including:
• Agribusiness
• Business/Entrepreneurship
• Economic Development/Vitality
• Energy
• Manufacturing
• Transportation/Infrastructure
• Workforce Development

Highlights of Panels, Institutes and Tours with a rural Nevada focus:
Making the Mining Connection:  The Silver State’s mining communities are adapting and growing on a world economic stage.  This session covers supply chains and services, recharging downtowns and closing the housing gap.

Sustainable Dryland Agriculture Initiative at UNR:
The session will discuss the ongoing development of the sustainable dryland agriculture program, including projected economic impacts related to production and mitigation, scientific positions being filled, and public private partnerships being built.  Partnerships focus areas cover beef production, agronomy, horticulture, natural resources, and biotechnology.

Access to Capital – Making Ends Meet:
Properly capitalizing business enterprise can be a challenge, whether you are a city, county, non-profit, or business.  Grants, incentives, loan and non-traditional sources for capital will be discussed during this break-out. Presentations by Small Business Administration, USDA Rural Development, Nevada Department of Business and Industry, VEDC, and Hamilton/Lane.

Tour of Desert Research Institute Laboratory and Applied Innovation Center:
Participants will have a special and unique opportunity to tour the world renowned Desert Research Institute. Presentations will include cutting edge and innovative research such as the Ecologically Controlled Enclosed Lysimeter (Eco CELLs) Laboratory, DRI’s educational programs, involvement in the Native Waters on Arid Lands project and recent developments in DRI’s partnerships related to food and agriculture.
Four keynote speakers are scheduled to present at the conference:
Diarmuid O’Connell, Vice President of Business Development at Tesla Motors, will discuss accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable transport.

Robert Lang, Coauthor of Megapolitan America and Professor of sociology and the Director of Brookings Mountain West at the University of Nevada–Las Vegas to cover economic development, and metropolitan policy.

Dr. Sam Cordes, Purdue University, will present on regional economic development and rural community development.

Brett Kelsey, Intel Security’s Vice President & Chief Technology Officer for the Americas, will disclose technology implementation strategies in government and the private sector.

The cost is just $150 and includes opening sessions with keynote speakers, institutes, tours and educational sessions, Exhibit Hall Reception, parking and luncheons for both days. A one-day conference pass is $100.

Building a Stronger Nevada is presented by the Western Nevada Development District, University of Nevada, Reno College of Business, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Center for Business & Economic Research, USDA Rural Development and Nevada Industry Excellence.

For further information, including registration details, log on to www.wndd.org and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/2016StrongerNevada/

For media inquiries contact Becky Contos at (775) 848-5275 or Don Vetter at (775) 848-0670