INDUSTRY ANALYSIS  ·  NEVADA  ·  K-NEVADA BRIDGE

$1 Billion Airport Expansion, $2.7 Million AI Education Investment and K-Nevada Gateway 2026

Reno, Nevada Emerges as the New Tech Hub of the American West — A Strategic Opportunity for Korean Deep-Tech Companies

Reno, Nevada is undergoing a fundamental transformation—from a tourism and casino city to the next-generation tech and manufacturing hub of the American West. Three pivotal developments are converging simultaneously to symbolize this shift.

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport recently unveiled its $1 billion ‘MoreRNO’ expansion project, while the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) announced a $2.7 million investment in AI and computer science education.

10억 달러 공항 확장, 270만 달러 AI 교육 투자,그리고 K-Nevada Gateway 2026

네바다 리노, 10억 달러 공항 확장, 2.7백만 달러 AI·CS 교육 투자, K‑Nevada Gateway 2026·AI STEM 캠프 등 인프라·인재·스타트업 생태계가 동시에 가동되면서, 한국 딥테크·콘텐츠 기업이 ‘서부 차세대 테크 허브’에 전략적 거점을 선점할 수 있는 구체적 시점으로 떠오르고 있어

K-EnterTech HubJung Han

With airport infrastructure (hardware) and AI talent development (software) aligning at a critical juncture, Reno is emerging as more than just “cheap factory land”—it is now a serious candidate for Korean deep-tech companies seeking a strategic foothold. Adding to this momentum, the K-Nevada Gateway 2026 program, designed to facilitate U.S. West Coast expansion for Korean and Asian startups, is set to launch in late September.

1. Reno-Tahoe International Airport: Historic $1 Billion Infrastructure Investment Takes Shape

MoreRNO new concourse interior rendering — Open lounge seating with expansive glass walls | Source: Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority / YouTube

The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority released a virtual tour video of the new concourse on February 10, as part of the ‘MoreRNO’ initiative—the largest infrastructure project in the airport’s history (Watch on YouTube). The total project cost is $1 billion (approximately KRW 1.45 trillion), with $650 million (approximately KRW 940 billion) allocated specifically for the construction of new Concourses A and B.

According to the released footage, the new concourse departs from the existing enclosed design, adopting an open layout with soaring ceilings and expansive glass walls. Reflecting the natural environment of the Reno-Tahoe region, sustainable wood and stone materials are used throughout the interior. Dynamic video displays are integrated into gate signage, while select areas feature starlight-inspired lighting systems. Outdoor seating areas—inspired by Tokyo Haneda Airport—are also included, along with “hangout-style” lounge seating arrangements for families and groups, equipped with built-in charging ports.

The Airport Authority plans to complete Concourse A by 2028 and Concourse B by 2029. This expansion is far more than a routine facility upgrade. It represents a strategic infrastructure investment designed to accommodate the rapidly growing business travel demand as the Reno-Tahoe region emerges as an alternative tech hub to Silicon Valley.

2. Nevada Is No Longer ‘The Tourism State’ — A $26 Billion Development Pipeline

Behind the $1 billion airport investment lies a structural transformation of Nevada’s economy. On February 5, more than 1,500 local business leaders and investors gathered at EDAWN’s (Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada) annual ‘State of Economy’ luncheon at the Peppermill Resort in Reno. EDAWN CEO Taylor Adams characterized the Northern Nevada economy as “strong,” describing AI’s impact as “a transformation on par with the introduction of the PC in the early 1980s.”

■ Key Metrics

• Development Pipeline: $26B+ (approx. KRW 37.7 trillion). Business leads surged from 34 to 130+ over 18 months (4x growth). 175+ annual site visits (top 1% in the U.S.).
• Population Inflow: Northern Nevada growing at 1.5–2% annually (3–4x the U.S. average of 0.5%). 11 companies relocated from other regions within one year. Ranked 5th nationally on the 2025 Talent Attraction Scorecard.
• Tesla Gigafactory: 5.4 million sq ft within TRIC, ~8,000 direct employees, concurrent $3.5B expansion. Including the Panasonic JV, total TRIC employment stands at 22,000. Major Asian manufacturers such as LG, Samsung, and TSMC have yet to establish a presence — opening a first-mover opportunity for Korean companies.
• Reno’s First Tech Unicorn: Positron secured $230M in additional funding, pushing total investment past $1B. This demonstrates that Reno is evolving into a tech hub with its own self-sustaining VC cycle.
• Data Center Boom: #1 in capacity growth rate in the U.S. 25 facilities operating or under construction within TRIC. Major investments from Tract, Vantage, EdgeCore, Google, and others. Construction investment projected to grow +23% YoY in 2026.
• 20GW Power Infrastructure Queue: ~20GW in new interconnection requests against a current total peak load of ~10GW. Driven primarily by hyperscale data centers for AI training and inference. This creates significant business opportunities for Korean energy-tech companies in AI drone inspections, transmission forecasting, and EMS solutions.

3. UNR Secures $2.7M Federal Grant to Build AI & Computer Science Education Infrastructure

Airport and industrial infrastructure alone cannot create a sustainable tech ecosystem. Talent development infrastructure must advance in tandem. In this regard, the announcement made on February 11 regarding the University of Nevada, Reno’s (UNR) new federal grant is noteworthy.

UNR’s College of Education & Human Development will serve as a core partner in a four-year, $2.7 million (approximately KRW 3.9 billion) federal initiative funded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE). The Desert Research Institute (DRI) leads the overall project, with UNR receiving a $775,507 sub-award to manage teacher preparation and training.

■ Core Program Structure

This project is not merely academic research—it focuses on building a teacher pipeline capable of actually teaching AI and computer science in K-12 classrooms. Over four years, 30 preservice teachers and 60 in-service teachers will participate, in partnership with the Washoe County School District. Preservice teacher interns will complete approximately 300 hours of classroom-based practicum annually, with in-service teacher fellows serving as mentors. Both groups participate in quarterly training to systematically build AI and CS teaching competencies.

Of particular note, UNR is developing a new ‘K-12 Computer Science and AI Foundations Certificate Program.’ Comprising three online courses, this certificate enables participants to earn the Nevada K-12 introductory computer science endorsement. It provides ongoing course access for both preservice and in-service teachers, supporting the expansion of high-quality CS and AI education statewide.

Dr. Lindsay Diamond, UNR Associate Dean for Research, stated: “By linking annual classroom internships, an educator mentoring network, and new AI and CS certificate pathways, this initiative creates a sustainable pipeline of teachers prepared to deliver high-quality computing education and strengthen Nevada’s future workforce.”

4. K-Nevada Gateway 2026 Confirmed — Korean Startups Gain Direct Access to Reno’s Ecosystem

Korea Night 2026 concept image — In front of Reno’s ‘The Biggest Little City in the World’ arch, downtown Reno | Courtesy: K-EnterTech Hub

Amid Nevada’s explosive growth trajectory, K-Nevada Gateway 2026—a program designed to facilitate U.S. West Coast market entry for Korean and Asian innovation startups—has been officially confirmed for this year. Building on the successful inaugural edition in 2025 with a structurally upgraded second iteration, it has been organized as an official affiliated program of Reno Startup Week 2026 (RSW, September 28–October 2).

■ Operational Framework & Partners

K-Nevada Gateway 2026 operates through a collaborative structure in which multiple specialized organizations share defined roles. K-EnterTech Hub leads program planning, with Pacemakers, GenAxis, Law Firm Mission, and Mediontech serving as co-partners. The Way Company manages Korea Night operations and supports POC (proof-of-concept) and project collaborations for companies entering the Nevada market.

■ Key Events

K-Startup Showcase (9/29 Tue, RSW Day 2, Morning): Positioned as a Pre-Special Event at the Reno Convention Center. Korean and Asian companies pitch directly to local VC and angel investors, with structured 1:1 deep-dive meetings to enter the investment pipeline.

Korea Night 2026 (9/30 Wed, RSW Day 3, Evening): The flagship networking event themed ‘K-Tech Meets Nevada Industry & K-Culture.’ Participating companies present their achievements and POC results directly to local investors and institutional leaders—functioning as an ‘investment-linked platform.’

Participation is structured around 7 startup teams (14 members) + 6 Asian companies + 12 organizers, totaling 32 participants. The program spans 6 days of on-site activities: 3 days in Reno + transit + 2 days in Las Vegas. Recruitment focuses on 6 sectors with high synergy to Nevada’s local ecosystem, with each sector featuring specific linkage points to local research institutions, facilities, and investment ecosystems.

5. K-Nevada AI STEM Camp — Korean Students Experience Future-Ready Science Education at DRI

K-EnterTech Hub is co-developing an AI STEM Camp with the Desert Research Institute (DRI), designed for Korean students. Scheduled for late July, this roughly week-long program brings Korean students to DRI’s Las Vegas campus for immersive, hands-on training in AI, drones, robotics, and other future-ready science disciplines. By providing Korean youth with real-world science education at a U.S. research institution—covering AI, drones, rocketry, and more—the program aims to nurture the next generation of global STEM leaders.

DRI (Desert Research Institute) is a nonprofit environmental and scientific research institution established by the State of Nevada in 1959. Operating across two campuses in Las Vegas and Reno, DRI conducts over $50 million in annual research, making it one of America’s premier environmental research facilities. With more than 600 researchers, engineers, and staff working across 40+ disciplines—including atmospheric science, hydrology, climate and ecology, water resources, and fire science—DRI is internationally recognized as “a world leader in basic and applied environmental research.” Simultaneously, through programs like Nevada Robotics and STEM Education Program, DRI operates K-12 STEM and teacher training programs integrating drones, robotics, coding, and AI, and is recognized as one of the leading STEM and workforce development hubs in the western United States.

DRI STEM Education Program — ‘Investing in the Future Workforce’ | Nevada Robotics presentation | Source: DRI

■ K-Nevada AI STEM Camp Schedule Overview (Draft)

* Detailed schedule and DRI STEM program specifics to be announced upon confirmation.

Industry Implications — The K-Nevada Bridge Stands at a Virtuous Cycle’s Crossroads

In conclusion, the changes underway in Reno, Nevada suggest that this region should be viewed not merely as a “potential market,” but as an emerging hub entering a structural inflection point. Few places in the American West see multiple axes moving simultaneously—airport expansion (infrastructure), large-scale data center investment, STEM and AI talent development, and international cooperation programs like K-Nevada Gateway. This combination makes Reno better suited for testing a medium- to long-term base strategy rather than short-term roadshows.

For Korean companies, the key is not to follow the changes from behind, but to participate in co-designing some elements from the earliest planning stages. If the rules and networks currently forming in Reno become “faits accomplis” in a few years, latecomers may find themselves confined to price competition and simple subcontracting structures.

Conversely, if Korean deep-tech, content, energy, and ad-tech companies secure even a partial position along the axis connecting airports—data centers—manufacturing—AI education—STEM—startup programs at this stage, the likelihood of “Korean partners” being naturally considered during the design process of new projects by Nevada’s state government, local authorities, universities, and research institutions will grow significantly.

This goes beyond the simple question of early versus late market entry. It may determine whether a company is invited to the decision-making table from the outset, or stands in a position where it must accept the terms set by others at an already-arranged table.

The series of projects underway in Reno represent not one-off events, but foundational construction that will underpin the reshaping of the western U.S. industrial landscape over the next decade. In this context, the K-Nevada Bridge is poised to serve as a practical testbed where Korean companies can gauge what role and standing they may secure in the early stages of this transformation.

Sources  

Reno Gazette Journal (2026.2.10, Jason Hidalgo) | University of Nevada, Reno / Nevada Today (2026.2.11, Kelly Hanlon) | EDAWN State of Economy 2026 | K-Nevada Gateway 2026 Program Book | K-Nevada AI STEM Camp Draft (K-EnterTech Hub)

Video  MoreRNO Concourse Virtual Tour (YouTube)

Education Article  AI and Computer Science Teaching in Nevada (unr.edu)

Photos  Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority / YouTube, Nevada Today (unr.edu), K-EnterTech Hub