Reno/Sparks – The Best Little Cities
Location, Location, Location
Located in the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountain, the breathtaking Reno-Sparks-Lake Tahoe area is not your average vacation destination. From the arts to the cultural splendor, from the casinos to its unprecedented natural surroundings, Reno is a city rich in both tradition and fresh entertainment.
Minutes from world-famous Lake Tahoe, the Reno-Sparks community is surrounded by natural beauty and limitless recreational opportunities. The Reno-Sparks-Lake Tahoe region has over 18 world-class ski resorts, many just a short 45 minutes from downtown, and 40 plus golf courses. The area also boasts 60 gaming locations, the National Bowling Stadium, the National Automobile Museum, Rancho San Rafael Park’s Arboretum and Wilbur D. May Great Basin Adventure, the historic boom town of Virginia City, and world-class fishing, hiking, biking and numerous other outdoor activities.
The Truckee River flows from Lake Tahoe right through Reno and Sparks, offering lots of spots for fishing, swimming and floating, as well as biking and strolling along the river. In the heart of downtown Reno is Truckee River Whitewater Park, a portion of the river with 11 drop pools for kayakers and a constant flow of water for swimming, tubing or simply splashing around. The Sparks Marina is another popular place to cool off on a hot summer day, and a regional park on 100 acres, baseball stadium, the largest sporting goods store in the world promises even more places to play. Developments in Sparks.
The Quality of Life In Northern Nevada is Superb !
Interesting Facts About Reno/Sparks Nevada
- Expansion Magazine named Reno one of the top 50 “America’s Hottest Cities” in which to relocate or expand a business.
- In 2007, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council named Nevada the second-best state in the country for small businesses in its annual “Small Business Survival Index”.
- The book “Cities Ranked and Rated” which has been featured on the “Today” show and msnbc.com, ranks Reno No. 9 on its list of the top 50 places to live in the country.
- In 2007, the University of Nevada, Reno men’s basketball team reached No. 9 in the national rankings, the highest ranking in the program’s history.
- In 2007 State Business Tax Climate Index from the Tax Foundation ranks Nevada as the fourth best state in the nation.
- Inc Magazine’s May 2006 issue ranks Reno-Sparks as the fifth best mid-size market in which to do business in its “Hottest Cities for Doing Business” list.
- In January 2006, Chief Executive magazine named Nevada one of the best places to do business.
- Nevada is ranked as one of the top five states in Financial Services
- Nevada is the “Strongest State for Manufacturing” in the nation, according to a July 2006 article in Business Facilities Magazine.
- Reno was ranked 21 in the Best Performing Cities report from the Milken Institute released in February 2006.
- According to the 2008 State Business Tax Climate Index, Nevada is the third highest-ranked state in the U.S. for providing a friendly environment for businesses to thrive.
- A Milken Institute and Greenstreet Partners study determining the best-performing cities in the United States ranked the Reno-Sparks economy 26th in the nation.
- Forbes magazine praised Nevada for its economic climate and growth prospects and designated it the 22nd best state in the U.S. for doing business.
- BusinessWeek.com named Reno and Minden among the top 20 best affordable suburbs in the West.
- Nevada ranks as one of the top five in the “Best States for Business survey” by Development Counselors International of New York, released in September 2005. Nevada ranked No.5 overall.
- Newsweek Magazine in May 2006 ranked seven Washoe County High Schools among the top 1,000 in the nation.
In Reno and Northern Nevada there are NO
- Corporate income taxes
- Personal income taxes
- Estate and/or gift taxes
- Unitary Taxes
- Franchise Taxes
- Inventory Taxes
- Franchise taxes on income
History
As early as the 1850’s a few pioneers settled in the Truckee Meadows, a relatively fertile valley through which the Truckee River made its way from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. In addition to subsistence farming, these early residents could pick up a bit of business from travelers along the California Trail, which followed the Truckee westward, before branching off towards Donner Lake, where the formidable obstacle of the Sierras began.
Gold had been discovered in the vicinity of Virginia City in 1850 and a modest mining community developed, but the discovery of silver in 1859 led to one of the greatest mining bonanzas of all time as the Comstock Lode spewed forth treasure. The Comstock’s closest connection to the outside world lay in the Truckee Meadows.
The Virginia and Truckee Railroad extended into Reno in 1872 provided another big boost to the new city’s economy. As the mining boom waned early in the twentieth century, Nevada’s centers of political and business activity shifted to the non-mining communities, especially Reno and Las Vegas. Nevada still accounts for over 11% of world gold production today.
Nevada legalized casino gambling in 1931 and the passage of liberal divorce laws created yet another boom for Reno. The divorce business eventually died as the other states fell in line by passing their own laws, but gambling continued as a major Reno industry.
In more recent years, Reno has experienced rapid growth as a strong economy and a cost of living less than most of California has resulted in a housing boom.
Climate
Reno is situated in the high desert valley of approximately 4,400 feet above sea level. There are four fairly distinct seasons, all of which are relatively mild compared to many parts of the country. Winters see snowfall, however it is rarely heavy. Most precipitation occurs in winter and spring, with summer and fall being extremely dry, much like neighboring California. Mid-summer highs typically top out in the 90s, however temperatures of 100 degrees and above do occur on occasion. The low humidity and high elevation generally make even the hottest and coldest days quite tolerable. July high and low temperatures average at 91 and 51, respectively, while in January this falls to 45 and 22
