The economy is diversifying, Californians are moving in, and housing prices rise, but can the state sustain all this growth" In the boom-and-bust state of Nevada?which built its economy on mining, gambling, and tourism?ups and downs are a way of life. Henderson, the state?s fast-growing second city behind its neighbor Las Vegas, seems to be on a prolonged winning streak.
Earlier this year, Google broke ground on a state-of-the-art $600 million data center. The Golden Knights, the city?s new hockey team, which had a Cinderella season in 2018, announced that it would be building a practice facility in town, and Haas Automation, a maker of computerized machining tools, or CNC machines, revealed plans for a 2.34 million-square-foot factory that would employ thousands. Along with new housing and commercial developments, and a swelling population of more than 300,000, with an additional 100,000 expected by 2040, these marquee projects underscore Henderson?s resurgence, says city economic development director Ken Chapa. ?The business climate here is better,? he says. ?We?ve enjoyed some natural assets, the competitive advantage of being close to places like Phoenix and Salt Lake City, but we?re really seeing a big draw coming from California. Employers are looking to their eastern neighbor, where their employees can actually afford housing.?
Bust, then boom, as Nevada recovers from recession?s hit
Like Henderson, the state seems to be on an upward trajectory. Crowne...