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The clamor for more jobs in Fallon resonates with some elements of truth - but not to the point where local economic health is jeopardized.
Churchill County has unique economic assets, qualities which allow the community to be selective with potential commerce.
A report presented at the NorthernNVision workshop held in Fallon last week showed that Fallon has the youngest population of seven Northern Nevada counties, the lowest unemployment rate in the region and below average wages.
This translates to a need for good paying jobs, but not a mandate to permit every potential employer to build here.
Churchill County offers a lot to potential businesses. The county has a young, growing population base, rail access, a location at the crossroads of two highways, geothermal resources, a reasonable tax structure, a small airport, favorable weather and easy access to Reno and Carson City.
The area's agricultural resources may be viewed as an asset to agribusiness firms. Treated water is available through the city, and the county's burgeoning water and sewer system will encourage development north and west of town when it is completed and expands.
When plans to construct a prefabricated building manufacturing plant in Lovelock were announced in 2004, some local residents lamented that Fallon was passed over because local government did not offer free land for the project, like Pershing County did. The plant was to employ 1,500 at full capacity and pay an average wage of $15 per hour, the company's president said.
But when he told the LVN earlier this year that the deal was scrapped, amid some harsh rhetoric toward Pershing County officials, it was apparent something didn't smell right.
There's a need for quality jobs in Fallon, but not at the expense of the community's well being. Not every chrome plating shop, industrial polluter or pie in the sky proposal should be given carte blanche in our community for the sake of more jobs.
We urge local officials to take a supportive yet critical stance when new business wants to come to town. Medical and biotechnology firms, clean industry, geothermal operations, professional offices and more retailers will serve this community well.
Diligence now will lead to a stronger and more balanced economy in the future.
Churchill County has unique economic assets, qualities which allow the community to be selective with potential commerce.
A report presented at the NorthernNVision workshop held in Fallon last week showed that Fallon has the youngest population of seven Northern Nevada counties, the lowest unemployment rate in the region and below average wages.
This translates to a need for good paying jobs, but not a mandate to permit every potential employer to build here.
Churchill County offers a lot to potential businesses. The county has a young, growing population base, rail access, a location at the crossroads of two highways, geothermal resources, a reasonable tax structure, a small airport, favorable weather and easy access to Reno and Carson City.
The area's agricultural resources may be viewed as an asset to agribusiness firms. Treated water is available through the city, and the county's burgeoning water and sewer system will encourage development north and west of town when it is completed and expands.
When plans to construct a prefabricated building manufacturing plant in Lovelock were announced in 2004, some local residents lamented that Fallon was passed over because local government did not offer free land for the project, like Pershing County did. The plant was to employ 1,500 at full capacity and pay an average wage of $15 per hour, the company's president said.
But when he told the LVN earlier this year that the deal was scrapped, amid some harsh rhetoric toward Pershing County officials, it was apparent something didn't smell right.
There's a need for quality jobs in Fallon, but not at the expense of the community's well being. Not every chrome plating shop, industrial polluter or pie in the sky proposal should be given carte blanche in our community for the sake of more jobs.
We urge local officials to take a supportive yet critical stance when new business wants to come to town. Medical and biotechnology firms, clean industry, geothermal operations, professional offices and more retailers will serve this community well.
Diligence now will lead to a stronger and more balanced economy in the future.
