NNDA launches program to help companies expand, acquire property

The Northern Nevada Development Authority announced Wednesday the launch of a new program that is designed to shorten the amount of time it takes for a company to acquire or build a new facility.

The Nevada Certified Site Program as part of their continuing effort to attract more businesses to the Silver State. The program is aimed to provide critical decision making information to business owners and site selectors to allow informed decisions, said NNDA Executive Director Robert Hooper.

"The commercial real estate market in the Sierra Region has changed," said Hooper in a news release. "Industrial vacancy rates are down and in many cases current buildings are not meeting the market's needs. Building a new facility to meet the specialized needs of today's market is ideal but can take too long to get through the due diligence and approval processes.

"The Nevada Certified Site program solves the problem and helps companies reach their goals by completing the initial approval and site prep work. The program also helps land owners by getting their property in front of site selectors and business owners looking to purchase land."

The Nevada Certified Site designation serves as a pre-qualification for buyers and site selectors, indicating that a property's title is clear, that it possesses sufficient utilities and other infrastructure for commercial use. In addition, the program confirms a phase one environmental assessment has been performed and that the property is appropriately zoned and has adequate transportation access for such uses; among other criteria. The designation ensures that a company's expansion plans will not be held back by costly delays in permitting and approvals.

In order for a property to be certified, the owner must submit an application with all of the supporting documentation to NNDA. To administer the program NNDA has established the Nevada Certified Site Review Committee, a subcommittee of the organization's Construction and Design Committee made up of individuals from some of the region's leading civil engineering firms as well as other industry professionals who understand the process and requirements necessary to successfully develop a project.

The subcommittee is responsible for overseeing the submission process and reviewing all documentation associated with an application. The committee then makes a recommendation to the NNDA Executive Board of Directors to either approve or deny the application. NNDA's Executive Board has the final vote on whether an application will be approved and the site will be considered Nevada Certified.

"The certified site program is a tremendous opportunity for the Sierra Region in terms of attracting new businesses to the area, said Greg Dye, general manager of Briggs Electric and NNDA Construction and Design Committee Chairman. "The certification allows site selectors and business owners to know exactly what they are getting into with regards to a specific property. I am very proud of the committee for all of the hard work they have put in as volunteers to make this project a reality."

"The Nevada Certified Site Program is a great example of NNDA's committee system at work," said Hooper. "The Construction and Design Committee did an excellent job collaborating with Aaron West of the Nevada Builders Alliance to put this project together. Thanks to the committee and Aaron, along with Kathi Brandmueller of Converse Consultants and Lonnie Johnson of CFA, the Nevada Certified Site Project really took on a life of its own. A special thanks goes to NV Energy for helping to promote this initiative."

Those interested in submitting an application can visit www.nevadacertifiedsites.com or call (775) 883-4413.