Economic geography: theories, patterns, and spatial analysis

Geography

The Economic Geography of Reno, Nevada

Reno, Nevada is a major economic center of Northern Nevada for a variety of reasons. First, it is the largest city in the northern part of Nevada, with the largest population other than Las Vegas in the state. However, the main reasons it is an economic center are the liberal tax incentives for companies doing business in Nevada, and its location on a major east-west shipping artery, Interstate 80. Because of this enviable location, Reno has evolved into a major warehousing and shipping point that serves Northern California and many areas of the Pacific Northwest, as well as areas east on Interstate 80.

One innovation by the local city and county governments that has shortened the perceived distance between Reno and the world is the creation of major economic zones in the area. These free trade zones enable many companies to compete in the global market from Reno because of the tax and levy limitations placed on companies doing business in these areas. They have encouraged new businesses to locate to the area, and have created worldwide trade and economic benefit to the area.

There are certainly other ideas and events in the area that lengthen the perceived distance of Reno's economic geography to that of the rest of the world. The continued reliance on gaming revenues to subsidize taxes and income in the state has lengthened the economic distance from other U.S. states, and much of the world. Nevada was the first state to legalize gaming, and this has had a long-term affect on the economic stability of the state. Located, as it is, right next to California, it would be expected that Nevada could take supreme advantage of the economic benefits of trade and tourism with the Golden State, and to a large part, this is true, but with its' continued reliance on gaming revenues, Nevada distances itself economically from its neighbors, and from world trade. To become completely economically viable, Nevada must continue to build up trade and stability with other economic input, such as the thriving warehousing and distribution industries in Reno.