Moapa Valley

Overview

Moapa Valley is in Clark County, Nevada approximately 60 miles northeast of Las Vegas.  This is a quiet community of 6,700 residents. The valley was once fertile farmland surrounded by mesas and is an oasis in the desert. Today, most farmland has given way to housing development. The area is also known for hosting the annual State Fair, and a big off-road event featuring off-highway vehicles of all type.  The town has adopted the motto: “Come play in our dirt!”

Like many Nevada communities, Moapa Valley depends on outdoor tourism to support the local economy.  A main source of tourism was Lake Mead, a reservoir of the Colorado River located in Nevada and Arizona. However, droughts and climate change have caused the water levels to reach an all-time low. Today, acres of the lakebed are now walkable and have forced the marina to close. Moapa Valley has also suffered in the wake of the pandemic, with a spike in unemployment and mental health crises among both adults and youth. Likewise, medical services in the area are sparse and the need for additional senior housing is undeniable.

The goal of the community is to work closely with Rural Partners Network to address several issues and rebuild the local economy and support systems. This aligns well with the RPN Nevada mission to connect the community with available federal support through funding awards and other technical assistance. 

Serving as matchmakers between the Moapa Valley Community Network and up to as many as 24 federal agencies, it is the hope of all partners that Moapa Valley can once again become a playground in the desert.

Priorities

  • Infrastructure

    • Flood Mitigation
    • Senior Housing
  • Economic Development

    • Tourism
    • Employment
  • Healthcare

    • Facilities
    • Mental Health Crisis Support

     

Rural Partners Network Contacts for Moapa Valley

Host Entity

Clark County Economic Development
Shani J. Coleman