Michelin North America, Inc., announced the expansion of its Reno area distribution center to include a tire manufacturing plant. In addition, UPS Worldwide Logistics, a division of United Parcel Service, announced plans to build a new 256,000 square foot distribution facility near Fernley. Passenger growth at the airport increased again in 1997 with a total of 6.8 million passengers. To accommodate continued growth, a new concourse with four passenger gates will be added to the airport by 2000. Due to the continued diversification of the northern Nevada economy, cargo activity at the airport grew by a robust 19 percent in 1997 compared to 1996.
Tourism continues to be a mainstay of northern Nevada's economy.
During 1997, approximately 5.1 million visitors enjoyed the Reno-Sparks area. Expansion plans were announced in 1997 for the Boomtown Hotel Casino west of Reno. Boomtown received local agency approval to construct a new 2,100-room hotel, along with an outdoor amusement complex and golf course. By 2003, Boomtown will be the largest gambling-entertainment complex in northern Nevada. The Atlantis Casino Resort in Reno also announced its plans to build over 900 new hotel rooms.