Companies in Nevada involved in clean fuel or alternative energy have been enjoying a growth spurt, including solar power, biodiesel, geothermal and related fields, and biotech will be the next big thing. Tech experts also predict that the hospitality and convention industries will develop even more tech capacity in the coming years. Telecommunications is another strong segment.

“Tech companies relocate to Nevada or choose to start up in Nevada for the same reasons other kinds of companies do: low tax rates, protection for corporations and affordability,” says one local company CEO. “The cost of operating a business in Nevada is much less than it is on either coast, and that includes things like lease rates for office space, payroll costs and workers’ comp.” The state attracts many startups and entrepreneurs as there is a lot of help available to start a business.

Although Nevada’s tech infrastructure is better than it was, there is still room for improvement. It also lacks a major university research system making it more difficult to recruit workers. However the economic advantages and quality of life makes it difficult to lure people away once they have settled in.