Feb. 8, 2010

Lander County Economic Development Authority Launches On-Line Inventory of Development Assets

The first step to building sustainable communities is information, and the new Future Industrial Needs Discovery (FIND) Project launched this month by the Lander County Economic Development Authority, LEDA, is a treasure trove in a web database housed at the University of Nevada’s web portal at http://gisweb.unr.edu/FIND_project/

Working in conjunction with the Lander County Sustainable Development Committee, this First Task in the FIND project was to provide an inventory of the assets on the ground. Originally focused on mining areas, LEDA expanded this effort to include the four areas of Battle Mountain, Austin, Kingston, and Gillman Springs. On the web site, stake holders and other interested parties will have access to county information, recreational features, and links to community organizations.

“This web tool will give businesses, developers, and government researchers a quick overview of the resources, assets and infrastructure available in Lander County,” said Ben Veach, Project Manager for Summit Engineering, who compiled the data and developed the web site architecture. “This platform is also scalable and easily updated.”

Utilities, zoning, mining districts, trails, along with water and wastewater infrastructure are all layered over satellite maps and viewer controlled with a familiar point and zoom interface.

The web database was created as part of the total FIND package of $234,000 in grants from the Bureau of Land Management augmented by local time and resources.

“There have many cooperating agencies and businesses that have put the first foot forward for the FIND project,” sand LEDA Chairman Jon Sherve. “All economical development inquires for new or expanding businesses seem to begin with the gathering of current and relevant information. This web portal is an invaluable tool.”

One of the consequences of the inventory was information that could lead to private property in both Battle Mountain and Austin no longer being designated as FEMA flood zones. During the initiation of the GIS map by Summit Engineering of Reno (a LEDA Consultant) it came to light that a berm that protected Battle Mountain from the Reese River should be included in the scope of work.

Lander County District 3 Commissioner Ray Williams, Jr. requested a similar investigation of the Austin FEMA Flood Hazard designation. Much to the consultant’s surprise, a 350’ swath through the middle of Austin was inaccurately mapped as a flood hazard.

This resulted in an application to remove almost all the private property in Austin from the hazard map, relieving the property owners of the requirement for Flood Insurance. This application is in the final review by FEMA and final action is expected this year.