Barbee Named Executive Director of Churchill Fallon Economic Development

Jim Barbee has been named the new executive director of Churchill Fallon Economic Development (CFED), bringing years of experience in government, agriculture, and economic development strategy to the role.

Barbee, who officially stepped into the position in early August, previously served seven years as Churchill County Manager. His background also includes serving as director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture.

“I’m excited to take on this new role and continue serving the community I care so deeply about,” Barbee said. “I look forward to working closely with our city and county partners to create opportunities, attract new businesses, and strengthen the economic foundation of Fallon and Churchill County.”

Among his top priorities is addressing infrastructure challenges that have long limited development in northern Churchill County. Barbee said attracting large-scale companies, such as data warehouses, hinges on NV Energy investing in the I-80 corridor, an area currently lacking adequate power. While modern data centers have improved water efficiency, he noted they still create enormous electricity demands.

At the same time, Churchill County recently gained new opportunities through federal lands legislation that awarded the county 14,000 acres for economic development along the I-80 corridor. The area, referred to as the “checkerboard” because of its mix of public and private ownership, allows for land exchanges that can move development off rugged mountain tops and onto valley floor parcels more suitable for industrial use.

Barbee said the economic momentum already established by the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center—with anchor tenants such as Tesla and Google—positions Churchill County to benefit from spillover growth in the technology sector. He envisions a mix of industrial and commercial businesses moving into the region.

He also pointed to the success of the Rafter 3C Arena, a project he helped develop, as an example of how investments in local infrastructure can pay off. The arena has drawn events and tourists to Fallon, and Barbee wants to see supporting businesses such as hotels and restaurants follow. “We are constantly trying to engage in those conversations,” he said.

Barbee stressed that “controlled growth” will remain a priority, guided by the county’s Master Plan, which designates areas for housing and industrial development. He noted that if federal interest rates ease, it could accelerate private investment in land and projects across the county.

The CFED board includes Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford, Churchill County Commission Chair Myles Getto, and Fallon Councilwoman Kelly Frost.

Barbee assumed his new role after purchasing Nevada Strategies from Bruce Breslow. The government affairs firm holds the CFED contract and specializes in business development, lobbying, and community issues ranging from housing to tourism. His agreement with CFED is open-ended, without a set term.

Looking ahead, Barbee said he plans to expand community outreach and keep residents informed about economic development progress. CFED operates under the umbrella of the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development, giving it additional resources and connections to state-level initiatives.