opinion

Sisolak will continue Nevada's 'economic miracle': Gilman

Republicans and Democrats working together as a team have created an economic “miracle in the desert” in Nevada over the last five years – the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRI). At TRI, we have the hottest emerging tech company cluster in the U.S. with over 75,000 acres of land owned by the best tech companies in the world, including Google, Tesla, Switch, Blockchains and others. Economic diversification like that which exists at TRI will endure for decades, and global leadership in a variety of tech businesses is ours for the taking.

Gov. Brian Sandoval and members of both parties in the state Legislature worked as a team to help diversify Nevada’s economy. Economic growth is not about party, it’s about experience, leadership and commitment.

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If the governor’s office supports economic development and is focused and willing to put in the hard work with these leading companies, they will keep coming to Nevada. If not, all this progress and momentum will be stopped.

Here are many reasons why I, and other Republicans like me, support Steve Sisolak.

Economic diversification and development

Steve is the only candidate who has experience creating jobs, meeting payroll, running a business in the private sector and attracting major businesses to Nevada as an elected official — and the only candidate committed to continue robust economic diversification and job creation policies.

Education

Steve served 10 years on the Nevada Board of Regents and holds an MBA from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He’s also served as the vice chair of the Board of Commissioners for the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. His opponent wants to repeal the commerce tax, which will strip half a billion dollars from public education.

Water

Data storage and tech manufacturing facilities require lots of water, even with the best water savings and recycling technology in place. Steve served as vice president and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Las Vegas Valley Water District, on the Board of Directors for the Southern Nevada Water Authority, and as a member of the Colorado River Commission of Nevada.

A born leader

Steve is the chairman of the Clark County Commission, perhaps the toughest political body to run in Nevada. When dealing with global companies and competing states and local governments, we need a governor who personally engages with the presidents and CEOs of these businesses. Steve is known as a tough, superb negotiator. That’s a good thing. Steve’s leadership on the new multibillion-dollar Las Vegas NFL stadium and convention center project is already creating thousands of great jobs.

I urge everyone who cares about our state’s economic vibrancy to join me in voting for Steve Sisolak.

Lance Gilman is principal and director of the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center.