Hunter Giovanetti and Jim Barbee, right, present upcoming Churchill County projects and economic development Jan. 16 at the Fallon Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Sara Dowling | NNG
Churchill County Manager Jim Barbee and Fairgrounds Operations Deputy Jesse Segura presented upcoming county projects and economic development at the Fallon Chamber of Commerce luncheon Jan. 16 at the Rafter 3C Arena.
Segura said that his ultimate job goal is to help local businesses make more money. Conservatively, his statistical figures show through direct and indirect impacts the average visitor to Fallon brings about $43 to the local economy during a day trip and $140 for an overnight stay.
“When we get money into town, my goal is to help that money roll through the community,” Segura said. “That’s why these types of facilities are built across the country.”
Segura said local businesses can help support events at the 3C Arena financially through sponsorships and physically by volunteering to help during the event.
“The city and the visitors authority are the largest sponsor of events that we have here,” Barbee said. “And it’s appreciated. The city and county have a good partnership.”
Barbee said that the county has been approved for an influx of $42 million through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. Churchill County had to coordinate with Clark County in the SNPLMA operations funding application process and received a lot of support from Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick.
“Party politics and all that kind of stuff as it may be, she really helped this community long term because she gave us the thumbs up,” Barbee said.
The county is ready to go with a master plan as soon as the SNPLMA funds are released, hopefully somewhere around July 1, and will continue to move forward over the next three to five years. Barbee said that all planned improvements will be presented in a public meeting before becoming final.
“I like to say we need to Kevin Costner it. If we build it, they will come,” Barbee said using a variation of a quote from the Costner movie “Field of Dreams.”
“When we put these projects on the ground that’s going to bring money from outside this community into this community,” Barbee said. “It’s going to be a multitude of contracts, from construction to finish work to landscaping, especially when we get a little more into the project.”
As an example, Barbee said a planned $10 million expansion and renovation of the North Maine Street softball fields will allow Fallon to host athletic tournaments that previously went to other rural Nevada areas.
During a special meeting Jan. 15, commissioners also approved $700,000 for the unexpected opportunity to purchase six acres of vacant land alongside the ballfields for use as parking lots and other future development opportunities.
Over at the 3C Complex, the Dry Gulch Saloon will be rebuilt for use as a banquet hall and conference facility. Other tentative plans also include a splash pad, a covered barbecue area, approximately 150 RV spaces with hookups and integrated family play areas, a public playground, a paved and landscaped walking path, updated parking areas, a new covered outdoor arena and a covered area for rough stock animals.
County commission meetings are at 8:15 am on the first Thursday and at 1:15 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month in the Commission Chambers at 155 N. Taylor St.
To become a member of the Fallon Chamber of Commerce contact Executive Director Lucy Carnahan at lcarnahan@fallonchamber.com.