Manufacturers predict industry job growth

Washoe County manufacturers expect big growth 1,851 new jobs, 487,000 square feet during the next three years.

"This is especially significant for our region as manufacturing is a primary industry that provides much-needed diversity in our economic base," said Gail Conkey, who spearheaded a survey of manufacturers for the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada.

Conkey, EDAWN's director of business services, joined with a cadre of volunteers to interview 61 of the largest manufacturers in the Truckee Meadows.

The growth that EDAWN expects among existing manufacturers doesn't include the effects of new companies deciding to located in the region during the next three years.

The manufacturers surveyed by EDAWN said they expect to invest more than $55 million in plant and equipment by 2007.

The projected growth in manufacturing comes on the heels of a period in which Nevada was the only state in the nation to add manufacturing jobs.

From 2001 to October 2003, Nevada gained 1,940 manufacturing jobs.

Among its neighbors during the time, California lost 15.6 percent of its manufacturing employment and Arizona lost 17.5 percent.

The Washoe County companies surveyed by EDAWN said they added 1,071 jobs in the past three years and didn't eliminate any.

Two factors Reno's central location in the West and its favorable tax environment were cited most often when manufacturers were asked what they like about the region.

Their biggest worry is their ability to find qualified workers.

For the most part, the manufacturers said they like their existing work force.

On a scale of one to five with five being highest manufacturers gave workers a 4.0 score for productivity, a 3.3 score for availability, a 3.22 score on stability and a 3.12 score on quality.

But they said it's sometimes difficult to find skilled equipment operators and technical workers.

That, Conkey said, may reflect the region's fairly limited history with manufacturing.

It's unlike the East Coast or Midwest with their large pools of experienced workers with manufacturing backgrounds.

Then, too, she said the area's low unemployment rate just a bit above 3 percent may contribute to employers' difficulties finding good workers.

Only 22 percent of the manufacturing companies surveyed have a unionized workforce.

Asked to rate services in the community, the manufacturers gave top ratings to fire protection, ambulance service and water and sewer supplies.

They gave the lowest ranking to community planning.

The survey of manufacturers is part of an ongoing series by EDAWN, which uses the information in its campaign to keep existing employers in the area.

Next up for the survey team is a study of the tourism and recreation industry.