Nevada, also known as the Silver State, is rising in the technology industry of the United States. For now, Silicon Valley in California is the celebrated technology hub, but this might change in the near future. If you’re wondering why, I’ll start by saying that thousands of tech startups have already left California in favor of states like Texas and Nevada, in the past few years.
Why are Tech Companies Exiting California?
The main reason tech companies are pulling out of California is money. High living costs, heavy taxes, and strict business regulations have propelled business owners to question whether the state really is suited for big tech ventures. It’s not shocking that states with greater tax incentives, affordable commercial real estate, and a business-friendly environment are being considered and preferred.
California’s economy has taken a hit, and remote work trends are partially responsible for it. Previously, companies were largely concerned about the tech talent pool of an area and living conditions for employees when making the move. Remote jobs have reduced those concerns to a great extent, and the overall benefits of relocating beat them.
Big names in tech like Tesla and Oracle have already made the move and set the stage for other companies to follow. Will California bounce back from this state of affairs? It is possible, especially if the government decides to make some major changes in the state’s business policies, which favor tech startups.
What makes Nevada a Superior Option for Tech Entrepreneurs?
For starters, Nevada does have a relatively reasonable climate. Summers are short and warm, whereas winters are longer and mildly cold (for most, but not all areas). The state rarely encounters severe weather problems, which is a plus for internet connectivity among other things.
High-speed Internet from Cox Nevada is easily available in developed areas, which is good news for tech companies willing to move here. Cox has more than eleven thousand miles of its fiber cables installed underground, mainly in Clark County; the company is further expanding its fiber infrastructure to accommodate businesses. Therefore, Southern Nevada is a viable location for launching a tech startup right now.
Nevada cannot replicate Silicon Valley because it is different in many aspects. It’s good for tech entrepreneurs because it offers a tremendously business-friendly environment. The groundwork required for setting up tech businesses already exists within the state, which minimizes the hassle of shifting business.
The Current Tech Scene in Nevada
At present, the Northern region of Nevada has the largest tech footprint. Most of the credit goes to the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRIC), which is a massive tech hub and home to several leading technology companies; some of TRIC’s prominent occupants include Google, Panasonic, Switch, and Tesla.
Now let’s take a look at some major tech companies making waves throughout the state:
Switch is a tech giant, known to design, construct, and operate the most advanced data centers worldwide. The company’s core campus is based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and its largest data centers reside at TRIC. Currently, the core campus occupies 1.3 million square feet of land, which is projected to expand to over 4 million square feet of space soon.
Next up is Hyper Networks, which focuses on cybersecurity technology suitable for businesses of all scales. The company has grown tremendously over the last ten years and caters to both local and international clients. Hyper Networks also manages a vast grid of broadband connections and delivers various IT solutions.
Nevada is home to the largest lithium deposit on Earth; almost half of the planet’s lithium reserves exist here. This discovery has given a much-needed boost to the state’s economy by opening plentiful employment opportunities. A company called Dragonfly Energy, specializing in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries has made quite the splash across the state. The founders of the company aim to replace all acid-lead batteries, as well as build facilities to recycle old lithium-ion batteries.
Nevada Integrating Tech with its Tourism Industry
Through a partnership with Google, the Nevada Tourism industry has launched the Google Trekker project, which involves a 15-lens camera designed to capture 360-degree images. The captured images will be Google Street View-style images to showcase areas of the state where you cannot reach by car and other conventional modes of transportation.
The Trekker project in Nevada aims to promote adventure tourism, and all the footage is posted online and distributed through social media channels. A campaign titled “A world within, a state apart” was initiated back in 2013, which has gained over 15 thousand followers and reached up to 2 million residents in the United States.
Conclusion
Nevada is not recognized as the go-to destination for all things tech yet, but it holds immense potential. If the development in tech continues at the current pace, it might emerge as a major contender in no time. However, it does make you wonder: will the advantages it has to offer now stay after the state has established itself as the top technology hub? We don’t need another Silicon Valley, right?
