Northern Nevada Expands Foothold in Industrial Development and Innovation

Victory Logistics District may be located in Fernley, but the project was hailed last Friday as a hub of industrial development and innovation for all of Northern Nevada during a groundbreaking ceremony for Phase II of the project.

Phase I was recently completed, and Evan Slavik, the president of real estate for Mark IV Capital, said the second phase will provide essential access and services to 1,600 acres of land. 

"This infrastructure will allow the development of new industrial, manufacturing and data center projects that will continue to accelerate the growth of this region, bring thousands of jobs to the city of Fernley and will make Victory Logistics District the hub of industrial development in northern Nevada," Slavik said. 

"Fernley is emerging as the epicenter of the state's next economic boom with Victory Logistics at the heart," Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) Tom Burns said. "We are continuing to witness the transformation of northern Nevada into a thriving industrial center."

When taking office, Governor Joe Lombardo said his goals were economic diversity and development and the quality of life for the people who live in Nevada.

"This is exactly what I was talking about," Lombardo said. "A lot of times when you're in government, or a head of government, a lot of ideas are presented to you through the process, but very rarely does it come to fruition," Lombardo said. "Obviously, Mark IV and Victory has the execution down pat."

In Phase I of the project, Slavik said Mark IV developed 450 acres of land for speculative development and build-to-suit industrial and manufacturing projects, ranging from 150,000 square feet to 1.75 million square feet. He said 100 of those acres are already taken.

"They're already spoken for, and they will be the home of two new exciting projects in the food service industry, which will be announced in the coming months," he said. "Both companies will take advantage of the onsite rail system that will soon be built here at Victory Logistics District."

Slavik also announced the founding of the Northern Nevada Advanced Materials Center of Excellence, which will focus on the research and development of disruptive technologies - innovations that change how people, businesses, and industries operate in sectors including energy, aerospace, material science, automotive, computer science, and workforce development. Slavik said it will be developed in partnership with GOED, the UNR, WNC, Nevada Department of Employment and Rehabilitation, and Lyon County School District. 

"Victory Logistics District and Fernley, Nevada is poised to become the center of innovation, distribution and manufacturing, and data centers in the Northern Nevada region and the western United States," he said.

During the ceremony, Mark IV also presented two $5,000 checks to Horsemanship for Heroes and PTSD Now, two organizations that provide services and support for local veterans.

Rick Nelsen, Senior Vice President of Mark IV, said the project will transform Fernley and is expected to double Fernley's population in 15 years to about 50,000. 

"So we want to bring amenities here that pleases the city and we want to bring industry here that allows jobs," he said. "I go to all the council meetings, and I listen to the requirements of the citizens and they want better schools, they want other amenities, they'd like a park, they want a better road. This is a way to do that."

Nelson said the project will include a master-planned residential and commercial community north of Interstate 80, with construction ideally beginning in 2026.

"In 2026 and 2027 you'll see the bridge go in to 50 and you'll begin to see vertical construction coming up on those properties to the south," Nelson said. "The properties here that we're working on now, we're looking at 2028. While it seems a long time away, it's a short timeline."

Nelson said what that means for Fernley residents is more jobs and better wages, more schools, increased fire and police protection, and other amenities that residents are asking for.

"For the average citizen in Fernley, I would say have them ask the questions," he said. "We're not shy in telling you the answers. In the beginning it was daunting. It's like are you really going to do that? Well, you can see here today that we're really going to do that."