Gov. Sisolak highlights 'Economic Action Plan,' expects adding 165,000 permanent jobs
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — During the 2021 State of the State address, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced an economic action plan with five initiative aims to diversify and recover the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The governor said his administration will work to increase transmission, storage and distribution of clean energy as it aims to make the state home to the most accessible reserves in North America.
"Nevada is already a leader in renewable energy, generating billions of dollars in investment and employing tens of thousands of our people," said Gov Sisolak. "Now, we are perfectly poised to lead the world in energy storage."
State Sen. Chris Brooks, who represents the third district is expected to support and work in the development of the governor's initiative in the upcoming legislative sessions, according to the governor's office.
Gov. Sisolak said it will also work to create "Innovation Zones" to support the modernization and diversification of Nevada's economy without tax abatements or public financing.
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The technology was also at the forefront of the economic plan with a new smart city in development in northern Nevada which will run on blockchain technology.
Blockchain is the newly-developed digital ledger technology that records transactions of cryptocurrencies. According to the governor will make the state "the epicenter of this emerging industry and creating high-paying jobs."
Under his fourth initiative, the State of Nevada will aim to fast-track billions of dollars of infrastructure projects that haven't been started, adding quick short-term construction jobs into the economy.
Part of that initiative will include $75 million in the state infrastructure bank to allow the development of rural broadband, renewal energy and road improvements.
Fifth and finally, while highlighting the struggles of the fragile unemployment insurance system in the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, Gov. Sisolak called for the legislature to modernize government technology and systems.
"Today, the original DETR backlog has been reduced by 95 percent and more staff and improved systems to reduce backlogs," the governor said while thanking the work of Barbara Buckley and department director Elisa Cafferata.
"Better systems, modernization, private sector help, more federal dollars. That’s a big part of the path forward," said Gov. Sisolak.
The introduction of the Nevada Job Force will work on funding, designing and running job training programs through a public-private partnership, creating resources for connecting Nevadans with remote-work jobs.
In all, the economic action plan will create 30,000 jobs in the near future while adding 170,000 construction and development positions, officials touted.
More than 165,000 permanent jobs in Nevada will be added as a result of the initiatives, according to the Nevada State Treasurer's Office.
