Business and Economy

Market uncertainty following Great Britain's decision to exit the European Union has buoyed gold prices, and that's actually good news for Nevada. The state’s gold producers account for more than 70 percent of the U.S. total. As we wrap up our look at mining this week, Reno Public Radio's Julia Ritchey takes us on a tour of one of Nevada's largest gold operations.

I'm standing on a platform overlooking Newmont's gold quarry pit in northeastern Nevada, just outside Elko, where 225,000 pounds of explosives just detonated about a mile away. A huge plume of dust drifts into the sky.

Nevada’s prehistoric lakebeds are more than just picturesque, they’re the site of a lithium rush taking place on public lands. This quest for alkali riches has been fueled by a surge in worldwide demand for batteries.

For more than a century, prospectors have searched for lucrative minerals across the American West under the Mining Act of 1872.

That law allows them to stake a claim on a piece of ground and whatever minerals may be hidden beneath. Lately, in Nevada at least, the area drawing the most interest are its salty, ancient lakebeds.

From geologists to truck drivers, women have been working jobs in the mining industry for much of the last half century. Yet for all their progress, women are still largely under-represented in the industry, prompting some trade groups to take a closer look at gender disparity. Reno Public Radio’s Julia Ritchey brings us the first in our series this week on issues in modern day mining. 

The Federal Aviation Administration released its new regulations for drones this month, much to the excitement of Nevada companies. The new regulations open up air space for drones and lift onerous requirements around who can fly the unmanned aircraft. 

This is the second year for a series of meetings called 'Law on Tap' at the Depot Craft Brewery and Distillery in Reno. Here, local entrepreneurs can network and get free legal advice.

One of these entrepreneurs is University of Nevada, Reno, graduate Landon Gonzalez. He is in the early stages of creating his own outdoor apparel company and came to the event to learn how he can build his business from nothing.

The Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Nevada, Reno, is launching its Women’s Initiative. Reno Public Radio’s Natalie Van Hoozer has more.

A group recently gathered at the Innevation Center in downtown Reno to mark the start of the new project. It aims to connect local business owners with aspiring student entrepreneurs and build mentoring relationships.

A local golf course's future is in question because its managers owe Washoe County a hefty bundle of fees. Our contributor Bob Conrad of ThisisReno.com has the story.

The Washoe Golf Course, operated by Bell-Men Golf, Inc. since 1982, owes the county about $1 million in unpaid and late fees. 

“We’ve been working with the operator trying to get payments going," says Dave Solaro with the county. "That obviously has not happened."

Our series “Squeezed Out,” on housing shortages facing Reno and Tahoe, continues with reporter Amy Westervelt’s story on how tourism affects Tahoe residents.

On my street in Truckee, there are about 20 houses. But only three of us live here. That's not uncommon throughout the Tahoe region, where more than sixty-five percent of the housing stock is second homes. In many discussions of economic development and housing in the region, it's the elephant in the room.

The Reno-Tahoe area is facing a severe shortage of affordable housing, impacting everyone from families to employers to even the police force. In this first story of our series on the subject, "Squeezed Out,"  Reno Public Radio's Amy Westervelt visited a side of Tahoe most people don't see. 

"I just kicked a liquor bottle, in a park where there are unfortunately a lot of kid bikes."

That's Heidi Hill-Drum, executive director of the Tahoe Prosperity Center, showing me around one of the few affordable housing options in King's Beach: a run-down trailer park.

The monthly event series Silicon Mountain is celebrating a new livestream that lets anyone join in, and a regular viewing party at a Reno co-working space. Reno Public Radio’s Amy Westervelt went to one of those meet-ups to learn more.

"Hi there, I'm here to talk about 'Why hackathons,' ..."

Nevada ranks ninth overall for being business-friendly. That's according to a newly published survey of CEOs. Reno Public Radio’s Noah Glick has more.

Former University of Nevada, Reno President Joe Crowley is releasing a collection of poetry this week. The book, entitled Hats Off to the Cap, is published by local, independent Baobab Press. Reno Public Radio’s Noah Glick recently paid them a visit.

As I walk into Sundance Books and Music, a quiet, yet imposing century-old Victorian nestled within Midtown Reno, I first notice the high ceilings and corner desk typewriter.

“What does your poem read here?” I ask.

“I think I put them in the right order. It’s Be Silly, Be Kind, Be Honest.”

We’re headed into graduation season soon, and Reno Public Radio’s Amy Westervelt has the story of one local college student who has already scored a CEO gig. 

By the time Sasha Severance celebrates her graduation from Sierra Nevada College in May, she’ll have been a CEO for about three months.

Severance owes that opportunity to Elevate Blue, a tech accelerator in Incline Village, which essentially builds companies around great ideas.

The sixth installment of Startup Weekend kicks off Friday at Greater Nevada Field, formerly the Aces Ballpark, in downtown Reno. Our reporter Julia Ritchey has more. 

Aspiring entrepreneurs will brainstorm their best ideas over the weekend in a competition aimed at fostering startup culture.  

Attendees are given 54 hours to come up with an idea, form a team and work on a website and marketing plan before pitching to a panel of judges. 

Bryan McArdle of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada is one of the organizers.

Nevadans were ranked as some of the least financially savvy people nationwide. Reporter Rocio Hernandez explains why.

While the recession may have hit the Silver State hard, it's not the only reason it came in third as one of least financially literate states. The study by WalletHub, a financial site, found that many Nevadans lacked a rainy day fund and good credit scores.