Nevada, within AmPac’s C.A.N. footprint, is intentionally reshaping its economic future. Long associated with tourism and gaming, the state is now building a growth strategy centered on advanced manufacturing and clean energy, with a growing focus on domestic supply chains for critical materials. That direction is outlined in the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development strategy Realizing Nevada’s Electric, Innovative, and Connected Future, which emphasizes electrification and value-added manufacturing as long-term drivers of resilience and job creation.
Lithium sits at the center of this transition. Northern Nevada has emerged as one of the most strategically important regions for domestic lithium development, anchored by the Thacker Pass lithium mine in Humboldt County. In late 2024, Lithium Americas and General Motors (GM) finalized a joint venture that gives GM a significant ownership stake and long-term offtake rights, signaling the project’s importance to U.S. electric vehicle supply chains. Construction is advancing in phases, and while full production is still several years away, Thacker Pass has moved beyond the proposal stage into a federally supported critical minerals project tied to domestic electric vehicle supply chains. According to Associated Press reporting, the federal government is now seeking an equity position in the project as part of a broader effort to secure critical mineral supplies, with oversight continuing through the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office.
Tesla continues to expand its footprint in Nevada as new manufacturing facilities near completion. Recent reporting shows that Tesla’s Semi truck manufacturing facility near Gigafactory Nevada is nearing physical completion, with construction now concentrated on interior buildout and equipment installation. The company has indicated that initial production of the all-electric Tesla Semi is expected to begin mid-decade, reinforcing Nevada’s role in heavy-duty electric vehicle manufacturing. At the same time, Tesla is completing a new battery cell production facility in Nevada designed to supply lithium iron phosphate cells for energy storage products, including Megapack deployments tied to grid-scale projects.
For small and mid-sized businesses, the significance of these projects lies in what surrounds them. Large manufacturing and energy facilities require ongoing operational support, not just initial construction. Local firms that provide maintenance, safety services, technical support, or specialized logistics are increasingly becoming long-term partners rather than short-term vendors. As facilities scale, those relationships tend to deepen rather than disappear.