Our Key Industries
Nevada County has a wide spectrum of industries and a resilient economy. The balance of technology, education, healthcare, arts, tourism, manufacturing, construction, retail and many other sectors work together to create a thriving economy.
Our region has a deep roots in high-tech. The world-class video broadcasting company, The Grass Valley Group, was built here among our pine trees.
Tourism is a growing industry as visitors now realize the abundance of activities available in Nevada County. The ski slopes in and around Truckee play a major role in the success of tourism, as does the significant number of cultural, recreational, and agricultural attractions
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Technology
While Western Nevada County represents one of the four most highly regarded Digital Media technology clusters in the U.S., along with Portland, Seattle and Boston, we are the ONLY ONE located in a rural area. Technology developed in the county has been recognized 5 times with Engineering Emmy® awards and Citations from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for pioneering contributions or substantial improvements to television technology.
It started in 1959 with the Grass Valley Group. The company has been the catalyst for 20 local tech spin-off’s. Today, over half of the tech companies in Western Nevada County are focused on professional digital audio and video product and services to media icon customers such as Comcast, Disney, ESPN, ABC, DirecTV, Fox, Viacom, AT&T, BBC and a host of others.
Nevada Count connects, supports and showcases it’s tech Eco-system through it’s “Next Generation Sector Partnership”.
Nevada County is proud to have two community makers spaces which have tools and equipment for creators of all kinds and support teaching, learning and practicing of a wide variety of crafts, skills, technologies and arts.
Manufacturing
Nevada County is home to a large cluster of firms that manufacture and produce a wide spectrum of products, from low to high tech in nature, and then ship them all over the world. In all we have around 200 such companies. These range from companies that manufacture products such as semi-conductors, varied machinery and equipment, and a variety of machine shops as well as others that specialize in plastic, glass, metal and concrete.
This array of technology and manufacturing companies create innovation, global competitiveness, economic growth and new products for the future in national defense and numerous other industry verticals. It also provides the area with a diverse talent pool of well-educated, professional engineers, scientists, technicians, and management.
Autometrix: is one of the leading American manufacturers of CNC cutting systems for low- and single-ply knife cutting, and an industry leader in pattern design software..
Gyro-Stabilized Systems: has a passion for developing the most sought after gimbal technologies and being the most efficient company to integrate the latest camera and sensor technologies.
Grass Valley, a Belden Brand: provides the innovative tools and expertise to help customers improve the efficiency of their operations while telling better stories to attract and keep viewers.
Litton Engineering Labs: There are thousands of Litton Lathes in use throughout the world and many others which feature some element of the Litton design.
Sierra Design Associates: Since 1997, SDA has provided comprehensive electronics hardware, software and PCB design services to some of the most successful corporations in Northern California.
Telestream: provides world-class digital video tools and workflow solutions that allow consumers and businesses to transform video on the desktop and across the enterprise.
Z.A.P. Manufacturing, Inc. Provides cost effective way to reuse aluminum traffic signs saving money and conserving our planet’s valuable resources..
Fodderworks: Sprouts (also known as “fodder” when used for animals) are economical to produce. They have been scientifically proven to increase the digestibility of other feeds in the gut.
Retail & Tourism
The importance of tourism to the economy of Nevada County is extremely significant, and growing. The retail industry is vital to Nevada County for both residents and tourists, and serves as a major source of employment while adding significantly to the tax base of the County.
Preservation of the historic downtowns with their classic boutique shops is a priority in Nevada County. For residents, most support the concept of the need to shop locally, which directly helps build the great communities we enjoy.
There is a wide diversity of tourist opportunities that are available throughout the year. From the physical challenges of adventure through such things as hiking, mountaineering, skiing, and golf; to the mental fulfillment of cultural heritage tourism through the arts, music, and exploration of historical landmarks; to sheer leisure activities of wine tasting, fishing on one of the many incredible lakes, or enjoying an evening of fine dining; to taking in major events such as the Nevada County Fair, the Truckee Championship Rodeo, or Victorian Christmas in Nevada City; there is something for
Greater Grass Valley Chamber
128 E Main Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
530-273-4667
Rough & Ready Chamber
P.O. Box 801
Rough & Ready, CA 95975
530-272-4320
Nevada City Chamber
132 Main Street
Nevada City, CA 95959
530-265-2692
South Nevada County Chamber
10063 Combie Road, Suite C
Auburn, CA 95602
530-268-7622
Penn Valley Chamber
11336 Pleasant Valley Road
Penn Valley, CA 95946
530-432-1802
Truckee Chamber Visitor Center
10065 Donner Pass Road
Truckee, CA 96161
530-587-2757
Grass Valley Downtown Association
125 Neal Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
530-272-8315
California Retailers Association
980 – 9th Street, Suite 2100
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-443-1975
Truckee Downtown Merchants Association
P.O. Box 1356
Truckee, CA 96160
530-587-3161
California Travel & Tourism Commission
980 – 9th Street, Suite 480
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-444-4429
Nevada County Gold
14520 Lynshar Road
Grass Valley, CA 95949
530-272-3239
California Chamber of Commerce
1215 K Street, 14th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
1-800-331-8877
Nevada County Agriculture
Agriculture in Nevada County has a rich history. It’s importance in our community is on the rise. From 2014 to 2015, the value of local produce from our farms nearly doubled. From wine to livestock to a wide variety of crops, it is a very active component of our economy.
Nevada City Winery has been recognized with numerous awards, including Best Zinfandel, Best Cabernet Franc, Best Syrah and Best Cabernet Sauvignon for the Sierra Foothill Region.
Mountain Bounty Farm is the oldest and largest CSA farm in the Sierras. It has been in operation since 1997 when it was founded by John Tecklin.
- Northern Sierra Wine Country
- Nevada County Grown
- Nevada County Livestock Producers Association
- Placer-Nevada Cattlewomen Association
- Foothill Fibers Guild
- CA Wool Growers Association
- Sierra Grape Growers Association
- National Forest Foundation
- Nevada County Beekeepers Association
- CSU Chico – College of Agriculture
- Small Farm Center
- Tahoe Food Hub
- Nevada County Food Hub
California Agricultural Links
U.S. Agricultural Links
Sheep & Lambs
Wine Grapes
Issues/Resources
Nevada County Health Services
The population of Nevada County is not unlike that of many rural Counties in that it is aging. Added to that, the fact that Americans are generally more active and living longer, it is easy to understand why the health services industry is steadily increasing in its percentage of the total workforce. To meet the demands of the forecast demographic shift to an aging and active citizenry, it is expected that this industry will continue to see growth well into the 21st Century. Within the County the largest private employers are the two major hospitals, with the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital in Grass Valley approaching 1,000 employees, and the Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee about half that size.
Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital
155 Glasson Way
Grass Valley, CA 95945
530-274-6000
Tahoe Forest Hospital
10121 Pine Avenue
Truckee, CA 96160
530-587-6011
County of Nevada
950 Maidu Avenue
Nevada City, CA 95959
530-265-1627
California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR)
4933 Bailey Loop
McClellan, CA 95652
916-921-4000Care Flight
450 Edison Way
Reno, NV 89502
775-858-5700Community Recovery Resources
180 Sierra College Drive
Grass Valley, CA 95945
530-273-9541County of Nevada Public Health
Whispering Pines Business Park
500 Crown Point Circle, Suite 110
Grass Valley, CA 95945
530-265-1450Western Sierra Medical Clinic
530-274-9762
California Health & Human Services Agency
1600 Ninth Street, Rm 460
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-654-3454California Medical Association
1201 J Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-444-5532
American Medical Association
200 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20201
202-619-0257California Medical Association
1201 J Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-444-5532
Construction
Nevada County Contractors’ Association
149 Crown Point Circle, Suite A
Grass Valley, CA 95945
530-274-1919Contractors Association of Truckee-Tahoe
10183 Truckee Airport Road, First Floor
Truckee, CA 96161
530-550-9999Nevada County Habitat for Humanity
236 South Church Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
California Contractors State License Board
9821 Business Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95827
1-800-321-2752California Building Industry Association
1215 K Street, Suite 1200
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-443-7933Associated General Contractors of California
3095 Beacon Boulevard
West Sacramento, CA 95691