Editorial: Fresh faces abound in fast-growing state

Friday, Aug. 10, 2001 | 4:25 a.m.

The chances of running into a native Nevadan can seem as remote as a congestion-free commute during rush-hour traffic. That may be an overstatement, but figures from the Census Bureau do confirm that Nevada led the nation with the lowest percentage of native-born residents -- 22 percent.

Herding all these newcomers into a fast-growing state can make it difficult to foster a sense of community. For that matter, the huge influx puts a strain on the state's quality of life, educational system and other critical government services.

The reality, though, is that most states would kill to have Nevada's population boom. And, if they're smart, government and businesses can take advantage of the varying insights and perspectives of the new residents, providing the kind of ingenuity that can continue to make Nevada one of the most vibrant places to live in the nation.

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