Nevada has long been known for its rugged landscapes, booming casinos, and a spirit of independence.
But over the past few decades, something remarkable has been happening just east of Reno—a transformation that has turned Northern Nevada into a hub for some of the biggest names in technology and manufacturing.
And at the center of it all is Lance Gilman.
Gilman, a real estate developer and former Storey County Commissioner, recently sat down for an interview on Nevada Newsmakers to reflect on his role in shaping the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRI), one of the largest industrial parks in the world.
From a barren stretch of land to a booming economic powerhouse, TRI has been home to companies like Tesla, Google, and Switch, helping to redefine what’s possible in Nevada.
A Vision That Defied Skeptics
Back in the late 1990s, when Gilman and his partners first laid eyes on the land that would become TRI, it was nothing but dirt, rocks, and open space.
Many thought they were crazy for believing they could turn it into an economic engine.
“When I first got out there, it didn’t look like industrial property,” Gilman recalled. “There were a lot of folks questioning whether we had any sense or not.”
But Gilman and his team saw what others didn’t: demand.
Businesses were looking for large tracts of land, and Northern Nevada simply didn’t have them. Reno couldn’t expand north, west, or south, so the only logical direction was east.
The Turning Point: Tesla Comes to Town
TRI was already home to major companies, but the game-changer came when Tesla was looking for a location for its massive Gigafactory.
Initially, the state government had been pushing for Tesla to set up shop in Southern Nevada, but Gilman and his team saw an opportunity.
With the help of local airport officials, they arranged for Tesla executives to fly over the site. When Tesla’s representatives asked how long it would take to get a grading permit, the answer shocked them: they could walk out the door with it that day.
That level of efficiency and lack of government red tape sealed the deal.
“Scheduling risk was the biggest concern for Tesla,” Gilman said. “We showed them that in Storey County, they wouldn’t have to wait on government bureaucracy.”
This kind of fast-tracked development is a prime example of what happens when local government steps back and lets the free market work.
Without excessive regulations, businesses can move quickly, create jobs, and grow the economy—something that states like California, bogged down by red tape, struggle to do.
From Distribution to Tech Hub
Many expected TRI to be a traditional distribution center, much like Reno’s past developments. But it has evolved into something much bigger.
“We became more of a fulfillment center and tech hub rather than just a place for distribution,” Gilman explained. “Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Tesla wanted thousands of acres for data storage, AI development, and manufacturing.”
Northern Nevada’s economy has benefited tremendously from this shift. With over 150 companies calling TRI home, the park has created thousands of jobs, increased tax revenue, and positioned Nevada as a serious player in the tech world.
The Next Chapter: What’s Next for Story County?
Although Gilman has stepped away from his official roles, his son, Donnie Gilman, is now continuing the work.
As a newly elected Storey County Commissioner, Donnie has already been involved in one of the state’s largest financial deals.
Storey County, once the poorest county in Nevada, is now a leader in economic development. And according to Gilman, this is just the beginning.
“The next step is regional planning,” he said. “We’re looking at expanding residential development and infrastructure to accommodate future growth.”
Critics and Challenges
Critics argue that such rapid development has come with downsides, including concerns over water usage, housing shortages, and strain on infrastructure.
Others believe that Nevada has given too many tax breaks to large corporations, leaving small businesses behind.
Gilman acknowledges these challenges but believes they are solvable.
“We’ve always planned for growth,” he said. “And Storey County is going to be a major player in regional planning moving forward.”
The Takeaway
The success of the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center is a lesson in what happens when government allows the free market to do what it does best—innovate and create.
Instead of endless regulations and bureaucratic red tape, Storey County embraced a model that made it easy for businesses to invest and expand.
Looking ahead, as Nevada continues to grow, TRI and Storey County are poised to remain at the forefront of economic development. And thanks to visionaries like Lance Gilman, what was once just an empty stretch of dirt is now a thriving hub of industry and innovation.
For conservatives who believe in limited government, personal responsibility, and economic freedom, TRI is proof that when government gets out of the way, prosperity follows.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
