North Las Vegas. The new frontier for tech investment between the U.S. and Mexico
- Editorial
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
On the dynamic playing field of binational economics, North Las Vegas has moved from the sidelines to become a strategic hub for technology-driven investment. In 2024, the city solidified its role as an emerging destination for capital aimed at advanced technologies, thanks to a pro-innovation local policy, the availability of industrial land, and a prime geographic location linking it to the major logistics corridors of California, Nevada, and the U.S.-Mexico border.
One of the most significant developments this past year was the announcement by German company PCM RailOne AG, which committed $20 million to building a concrete railroad tie production plant in the Apex Industrial Park. This project not only strengthens the supply chain for the Brightline West high-speed rail, which will connect Las Vegas to Southern California, but also generates approximately 50 direct jobs in a highly specialized industry. Simultaneously, Google Fiber began building out its internet infrastructure in the city, aiming to activate services in the second half of 2025, making North Las Vegas one of the first cities in Nevada to achieve full fiber-optic coverage.
Investment figures from 2024 show steady growth in tech and industrial sectors. According to the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development, foreign direct investment (FDI) in technology rose by 11.4% compared to 2023, with North Las Vegas among the most active locations. The city also saw a 7.2% increase in high-tech job creation, outpacing the state average of 4.9%. These figures reflect not just a local trend, but a broader regional shift where mid-sized municipalities are competing for investments that once gravitated toward large metropolitan areas.
This progress has been driven by a coordinated strategy among local authorities, international investors, and state agencies. North Las Vegas has prioritized tax incentives, streamlined permitting processes, and industrial zones equipped with key utilities such as power, water, and digital connectivity. Its proximity to Mexico also opens opportunities for industrial integration in areas such as advanced manufacturing, electric mobility, and automation—priority areas for binational institutions like UNAM-LA and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, both of which are already engaged in collaborative innovation models.
However, the challenge for 2025 will not be attracting more investment, but consolidating an inclusive and sustainable tech ecosystem. The main hurdle will be developing a local, skilled workforce capable of meeting the sector’s demands. Although technical training programs are offered at the College of Southern Nevada, a gap remains between the skills required and the available labor pool—a gap that could hinder growth unless addressed with a long-term strategy. Additionally, the city must improve its urban infrastructure, ensure sustainable energy solutions for its industrial zones, and build stronger ties with research centers on both sides of the border.
In this context, North Las Vegas serves as a binational case study. Its experience can inspire municipalities in Mexico seeking to attract investment in emerging technologies and create synergies with companies across the southwestern United States. With the right mix of smart public policy, international capital, and university collaboration, cities like Tijuana, Hermosillo, or San Luis Potosí could replicate a similar model with a regional focus.
North Las Vegas is no longer a secondary player—it is emerging as a tech platform with binational impact. What happens here in 2025 will help shape the role of mid-sized cities in the innovation economy that connects Mexico and the United States.
Written by: Editorial
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