Trump grants North Las Vegas control over Apex Industrial Park development
Bipartisan bill eliminates federal red tape for 18,000-acre economic engine
President Donald Trump signed legislation Wednesday transferring development authority over the massive Apex Industrial Park from federal control to North Las Vegas, a move expected to accelerate job creation and streamline business expansion at the 18,000-acre site.
The Apex Area Technical Corrections Act, which passed both chambers of Congress unanimously, eliminates bureaucratic delays that have hampered development at what officials call Southern Nevada’s most significant economic driver outside the tourism industry.
Cutting through federal bureaucracy
Under the new law, the City of North Las Vegas and the Apex Industrial Park Owners Association can now directly issue permits and provide utility access for businesses – powers previously held by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the Bureau of Land Management.
“It cuts down on permitting time, it cuts down on costs, and it gets projects built quicker, which enables people to get to work quicker,” said North Las Vegas councilperson Scott Black, who championed the legislation locally.
The change addresses a fundamental obstacle that has frustrated developers for years. With the federal government owning more than 80% of Nevada land – the highest percentage of any state – businesses seeking to develop at Apex previously needed BLM approval for basic infrastructure.
“They would need permission from BLM simply to access that private land,” Black explained. “So that means to build a road, or to build a water line or to build a power line.”
Major economic impact projected
The industrial park already hosts significant operations including:
- Kroger’s Smith’s Food and Drug distribution center
- HEYDUDE footwear (owned by Crocs)
- Air Liquide’s $200 million liquid hydrogen plant
- Prologis’ planned 879-acre logistics development
City officials project that once fully developed, Apex will support more than 73,000 jobs and generate $7 billion in private investment over two decades. The resulting tax revenue will fund public safety, parks, roads, and libraries for North Las Vegas’ nearly 300,000 residents.
Bipartisan cooperation delivers results
The legislation’s swift passage reflects rare bipartisan unity. U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) introduced the bill in the House on January 22, while Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) shepherded it through the Senate.
“North Las Vegas came to me with this problem,” Horsford said. “I worked with my colleagues, including the Republican chair of the Natural Resources Committee, to get this bill considered, despite the gridlock.”
The act’s common-sense approach attracted support across party lines, with lawmakers recognizing the economic benefits of reducing regulatory barriers.
Streamlining Southern Nevada’s industrial future
Located 20 minutes north of Las Vegas along Interstate 15, Apex serves as a strategic distribution hub for goods moving between California ports and the Western United States. The park encompasses approximately 5,000 developable acres, with 28.5 million square feet of industrial space either completed, under construction, or planned.
North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown called the legislation critical for fast-tracking infrastructure development. “In the past, securing BLM rights-of-way for roads, water, power, and other utilities took years for each individual use which delayed progress and investment,” she said.
The new law maintains environmental review requirements and agency oversight while creating a unified, streamlined process that eliminates redundancy.
Beyond warehouses and logistics
While distribution centers dominate current development, Apex’s future extends into advanced manufacturing and clean energy. The site houses what officials describe as one of the country’s largest hydrogen plants, positioning North Las Vegas at the forefront of emerging energy technologies.
“We’re talking about the largest hydrogen plant, one of the biggest in the country, that’s located in North Las Vegas,” Horsford noted. “We’re talking about regional logistics warehouses and businesses that are meeting the needs of our local consumers and our regional consumers.”
As Nevada seeks economic diversification beyond gaming and tourism, the Apex Industrial Park represents a critical component of that strategy. With federal barriers now removed, city officials expect accelerated interest from companies seeking Western distribution hubs and manufacturing sites.
The legislation takes effect immediately, with North Las Vegas officials preparing to process permits that have been awaiting federal approval.
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Category: Business
Subcategory: Economic Development
Date: 07/17/2025
