Small City, Big Heart: How Business Diversification Is Helping Reno, Nevada Thrive

Recently named the Best Small City, Reno, Nevada is anything but small when it comes to the boom in the job and economic growth they’ve been experiencing n recent years. With an attractive cost of living, great climate, and space for development – Reno has fostered a perfect ecosystem for entrepreneurs. While it was just as susceptible to the impact caused by COVID-19 and affected by the shut-downs, that ecosystem the city has fostered has been crucial to its long-term growth and recovery.

Reno is home to hundreds of small businesses, and like in cities throughout the world, many of them were greatly affected by the closure caused by the pandemic. Nevertheless, this city has proven it has what it takes to succeed. Compared to the rest of the state, northern Nevada has lower unemployment numbers, which is the result of a plan first launched in 2011 to diversity the cities economy. This plan was led by the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada in 2011 in response to the recession.

The primary purpose of this plan was to diversify Reno’s economy. Building up the infrastructure to attract different industries helped establish an upward trajectory for the business community. The city experienced an influx in the creation of quality high-paying jobs by attracting advanced manufacturing and technology companies. With an excellent track record of adaptability and resilience, the Reno business community can work together to create solutions to the problems they are facing. By creating partnerships within the business community, entrepreneurs can work together to continue diversifying their economy. While many of the jobs created were by industries and companies that are bigger, these new industries are also responsible for growth in population.

As more people from across the country continue to choose the “Biggest Little City In The World” as a place to call home, this climate means more opportunities for small businesses. From skilled services to specialized shops and restaurants, all companies are needed in Reno. Aside from the need, Reno has excellent incentives and resources for new businesses to set up shop. With a strong focus on the development and revitalization of the downtown region, the city has created the Downtown Reno Partnership.

The partnership focuses on business development, fostering relationships, and creating resources to make downtown a destination. Most recently, with the shutdowns, the Downtown Reno Partnership created helpful resources to help businesses easily understand any guidelines put in place and safely reopen. This plan included a toolkit that all businesses in the area could take advantage of, including graphics to promote reopening and social distancing, links to COVID-19 recovery resources, and much more. This type of support helps build community and confidence with businesses that are established and also looking to open. With these types of partnerships, entrepreneurs can feel more at ease, knowing they have a support system when they need help.

As a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Prestamos is honored to work with Reno businesses, our efforts are to work with small businesses in the communities we serve to help them in their growth and quality job creation. We believe that small businesses are the economic engine of our communities. They are essential for our local and national economies to work and grow.