Nevada's construction employment grew 13 percent in the last six months, and a big part of that growth is commercial construction, which is happening all over the region.
Driving on South Meadows Parkway, quite a bit of construction can be seen from fast food to department stores, even hotels and gas stations. This construction is a way for new companies to open and for other ones to expand.
Companies like Steak 'n Shake are opening new locations. Eric Vetter, owner of Steak ‘n Shake, has a restaurant located in the North Valleys, but construction is underway on a second location in south Reno. Vetter said, "The South Meadows is a growing area, lots of businesses, great demographics for customers, and we think it's going to really open up our brand to a lot of people."
Vetter says South Meadows is an ideal location because of the infrastructure that's already in place.  "We've got a lot of stuff coming in from out of town but we've got a lot of folks like ourselves, you know, homegrown that are growing businesses, riding the wave a little bit. So, it's fun." Steak 'n Shake is hoping to open July 3 and is planning to hire between 80 and 100 people.
Experts say the anticipated growth of the region is kicking into high gear. The construction industry had 60 percent unemployment during the recession, but now, companies are practically begging for workers. While housing is picking up, so are commercial areas like the one in south Reno, and it's expected to continue.
Vetter said, "It shows how Reno's coming back and there's a lot of vitality in the community and I think people are excited just in general with that."
Craig Madole, Associated General Contractors of America said, "Things are really booming. The private works construction is going through the roof. The Tesla Effect is real and our guys are really starting to feel it."
New buildings are in demand because only nine percent of commercial space is available which is down from 20 percent during the recession.Â
Vetter is investing more than $3 million on his second location, including land. This neighborhood has seen a huge influx in construction this year, and it doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon. He continues, "Maverick is gonna break ground, right next door to us, here at the beginning of June, I believe. We're going to have a new hotel behind us in no time."Â
One of the most noticeable projects is the South Meadows Promenade which is the future home of well-known businesses like, Chase Bank, Marshall's, Panda Express, Starbucks, Sprouts, Chipotle, and Jersey Mike's who are set to move in once construction is done.
Madole said, "I think that's still some of the better underdeveloped land in the county and in this area. So, it's ripe. It's a good place, a lot of homes, good schools. It's really a desirable location."
During the past year, the construction industry added nearly 9,700 jobs in Nevada and wages are $30 to $40 an hour, but finding labor can still be a challenge.
Madole said, Â "We're doing our best to develop a new work force but our workforce is getting old and a little tired, and it's time to get those younger kids out to employ them."
