In mid-December the U.S. Census Bureau released figures onpopulation growth over a 12-month period that ended July 1, 2018,as well as migratory patterns of U.S. citizens moving from onestate to another. While the bureau's study showed one of theweakest U.S. population gains in years – since 1937, in fact, at0.6 percent, the study clearly defined four western states with thegreatest population growth, year-over-year, as a percentage ofexisting population. They were, in this order, Nevada (2.10percent), Idaho (2 percent), Utah (1.85 percent) and Arizona (1.7percent). Not surprisingly, Texas and Florida have continued to addpopulation and are among the fastest growing states in thecountry.

The census survey made me curious and I wanted to find out ifsome of our offices had grown substantially and added commercialreal estate professionals and services to capitalize on growth intheir states. Principals from NAI offices in Las Vegas (which alsoserves St. George and Lehi, Utah), Reno, Phoenix, Salt Lake Cityand Boise, Idaho, responded to my email query on growth with aresounding “Affirmative!”

The following brief account of business growth in these fourstates is an example that others may follow, or already have, whilealso providing some insight for investors and developers seekingthe best returns on their capital.