FIND Project

Lander County's Future Industrial Needs Discovery (FIND) Project is a comprehensive business matching and sustainable development tool. It is a unique combination of processes that has brought together major stakeholders with community input to visualize and plan northern Lander County's economic future.

The Future Industrial Needs Discovery Project is a collaborative effort between governmental and non-governmental organizations to develop and implement a methodology that would allow for:

1. Recognition of development potential
2. Identification of feasible economic development opportunities
3. Incorporation of community vision into local development
4. Execution of a marketing effort to attract industry partners

For more about FIND visit findproject.org.

Renewable Energy Development Feasibility Study

Turning former mine sites into viable business opportunities through renewable energy development is the ultimate goal of the Renewable Energy Development Feasibility Study (REDS).

The REDS Project evaluates the development feasibility of renewable energy resources such as:

• Woody biomass to stabilize reclamation efforts and become a renewable crop for biofuels or electrical generation
• Geothermal resource assessment and categorization for direct use such as space heating within administrative buildings and indirect use such as electrical generation for onsite power usage as well as a potential electrical supply to the community
• Pumped storage using mine process water to generate hydroelectricity
• Solar and wind fields

There are several key areas of study within the REDS Project, including impacts to the mining industry, opportunities for the renewable energy industry, impacts to the public lands and public lands policy, and sustainable development.

Telesto Nevada is the lead consulting firm on the project initiated by the Lander Economic Development Authority (LEDA). The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) provided a grant funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to LEDA for this purpose. The administration of the Project will have the support of the grass roots Sustainable Development organizations.

Public Land policy is very important for the development feasibility of mine sites. The Telesto team evaluates BLM policy directives for development feasibility and findings may result in recommendations for types of renewable energy projects acceptable to BLM as part of a reclamation plan for the mining industry. A critical success factor is the ability of the BLM to implement the findings of the study. Care will be given to coordination with the BLM staff and management to ensure the public land management tools are available to them. A result of our study may be recommendations to improve areas of public land policy to encourage the continuous use of mined lands for renewable energy development.

Sustainable development for mining is important for the stability, health and appropriate growth for the communities. The REDS Project should provide some of the answers for the sustainable development of Lander County's mines.

Download: LEDA Renewable Energy Development Study Feasibility Evalutation Report

Battle Mountain Business Enhancements Program

The Battle Mountain Business Enhancements Program was born from more than a year of research and analysis groundwork from the University of Nevada, Reno Center for Economic Development. Area's of focus include retail sector analysis. housing needs and business matching and modeling. The Lander County Sustainable Development Committee is turning this information into shared knowledge and the strategies to identify opportunities for sustainable growth and development for new and existing businesses.

Download: Battle Mountain Retail Sector Analysis
Download: Battle Mountain Business Analysis Abstract

Bridging The Housing Gap

The issue of sufficient affordable housing affects many Nevada communities. Numerous rural economic strategic studies have found that the lack of housing creates an obstacle for current and future economic growth. The question is: How would you attract new industry into the area, if the potential employees have nowhere to live?"

The University of Nevada Center for Economic Development issued a report as part of the FIND Project that cites a significant gap (871 units) between the demand and the county’s available housing supply. Exacerbating this issue are current plans of mining expansion, renewable energy development and construction services through Nevada’s Gold Country fueled by the continued record mineral commodity prices.

The LCSDC and LEDA along with the business communities of Battle Mountain and Austin are choosing to present this "gap" as an opportunity – an opportunity for real estate and commercial/retail developers to see the growth potential in the Lander County market.

LEDA and LCSDC have formed an ad hoc committee to seek out potential developers and continue dialogue with stakeholders in the housing market, including mineral resource companies.

Filling the housing gap in turn helps plug economic leakage as it will spur commercial/retail development through housing numbers and construction employment.

Download: Lander County Housing Gap Analysis

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