Local officials have tried for decades to boost employment outside casinos, Las Vegas’ main source of jobs. But such efforts have faced plenty of hurdles, all while the massive tourism industry has kept expanding with more resorts and attractions, drawing ever more visitors and overshadowing gains in other sectors.

This heavy reliance on one industry to fuel the economy has left Southern Nevada prone to extreme booms and busts.

When people have money to burn, Las Vegas heats up. But as seen twice now in the past decade or so, when the national economy gets hit hard, Southern Nevada ends up on life support.

“When things are good, they’re really good; when things are bad, they’re really bad,” said Bob Potts, deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.