The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) has announced a $1.8 million investment into WaterStart, a nonprofit organization based in Nevada. This initiative is aimed at supporting the development and deployment of innovative water technologies within the state and globally.
Karsten Heise, GOED's senior director of strategic programs and innovation, commented on the significance of this investment. “This investment into WaterStart demonstrates GOED’s commitment to fostering the development of water technology solutions to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in our state,” he said. Heise emphasized that attracting startups and tech entrepreneurs would enhance collaboration among stakeholders and lead to regional economic growth.
WaterStart was established in 2013 by GOED and DRI, Nevada's nonprofit environmental research institute. Since its inception, it has invested $4.6 million in 50 pilot projects, with over 70% being successfully adopted by water utilities worldwide. Rebecca Shanahan, executive director of WaterStart, expressed enthusiasm about strengthening ties with GOED and advancing economic development through innovative water technologies.
The investment aims to accelerate technology readiness levels and attract risk capital while supporting entrepreneurship in Nevada. It also intends to create a skilled workforce within the state's water sector.
Dave Johnson from the Southern Nevada Water Authority highlighted the benefits that local water users gain from these technologies, such as leak detection and real-time water quality monitoring. The partnership ensures efficient and reliable water delivery using cutting-edge technology.
Additionally, this funding will bolster Nevada's involvement with the NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest, led by Arizona State University. Brian Sherman, CEO of the Futures Engine, noted that investments from NSF and GOED support their mission to lead global efforts in water innovation despite regional concerns about water scarcity.
Dr. Sean McKenna from DRI remarked on WaterStart's role in addressing local challenges with global technological reach for testing under real-world conditions.
GOED's funding strategy involves utilizing resources from both the American Rescue Plan and Nevada Knowledge Fund. This builds upon previous grants aimed at aligning economic growth with sustainable water resource management practices.
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