On October 7, 2025, the Nye County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Nye County, the Town of Pahrump, and Valley Electric Association, Inc. The motion replaced all references to "Civic Center" with "Fairgrounds" to reflect the broader scope of the project.
(The agenda item and draft MOU are here)
The MOU outlines a collaborative plan to support the development of the Pahrump Fairgrounds, including electric and fiber infrastructure, energy efficiency initiatives, and long-term community benefits. Valley Electric will contribute up to $1 million toward trenching, installation, and service capacity for County projects.
"Valley's intent is to be a good partner to the county and the community," said Robby Hamlin, CEO of Valley Electric Association. "And so with this MOU, we hope that this is getting us in the right direction."
The 427-acre site, bordered by Highway 160 (north and east), Gamebird Road (south), and Ironwood Avenue (west), currently houses the Fireworks Safety Site and a growing OHV park. The park hosts youth rider events and has plans for future expansion.
Commission Vice Chair Debra Strickland, liaison to both the Pahrump OHV and Arena Advisory Committees, emphasized the MOU's significance in continuing a journey that began with the Bureau of Land Management land patent in the late 1990s.
"We are right there," said Strickland, whose District 5 includes the fairgrounds site. "We are ready to go. And we've waited for this moment for a very long time."
Jimmy Martinez, Town of Pahrump Buildings and Grounds Facility Manager, said a dedicated fairgrounds would ease the burden on Petrack Park, which hosts more than a dozen major community events annually.
"If anybody's been here on a Saturday, you're touching shoulder to shoulder," he said, noting crowds of 30,000 to 50,000 often limit access to athletic fields.
Jimmy Lewis, Chair of the OHV Park Advisory Committee, stressed the importance of Valley Electric's support.
"The things that are holding us up for future development are access to water and access to power," he said. "I want to see not only a really nice OHV Park, I want it to be world-class."
The MOU also includes commitments to uphold Nye County's Dark Sky Ordinance and explore solar and battery backup systems, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainable growth and reliable infrastructure.