An ongoing study of Northern Nevada's business climate on Thursday identified 10 core industries the region is best suited to develop in the next decade.
The report lists advanced manufacturing, business and financial services, clean energy, design, headquarters operations, industrial machinery, life sciences, logistics and distribution, medical device manufacturing, and software.
The findings make up the second of five reports in "Target2010," launched in December by the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada to find ways to grow the region's thriving economy.
"These potential target industries provide a starting point for EDAWN to drill down to the final five industries that it will focus on to grow employment, wage and income levels in Northern Nevada," said Ben Loftsgaarden, project manager for AngelouEconomics.
The Texas-based consulting firm was hired by EDAWN to perform the $240,000 study with a final plan of action by mid-summer.
In its initial report last month, AngelouEconomics singled out strong job growth, proximity to California and a "tremendous" quality of life in Northern Nevada.
But the report said the region must also cultivate higher-paying jobs, strengthen the business-education relationships and foster entrepreneurship to keep its economy strong.
At least one of the suggested core industries cited in Thursday's report is already in place -- logistics and distribution, which has become a key cog in the region's economy.
Even so, Chuck Alvey, CEO of Reno-based EDAWN, said he was encouraged by AngelouEconomics' findings.
"These aren't final," Alvey said. "It's a signpost for us to take this to a higher level.
"There's already a portfolio to sell from and build from," he said of existing industries. "We'll take these (targeted industries) and analyze them, why they're good, get a good mix of industries, use the strengths we have to build on."