Home Improvement Season Expected to Improve Economy Too

Home Improvement Season Expected to Improve Economy Too

Posted: Friday, March 21, 2014 6:13 PM ESTUpdated: Friday, March 21, 2014 7:24 PM EST

Spring has sprung one month early in Northern Nevada and the folks at the Retail Association of Nevada say they expect that to translate into growing our local economy.

Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe's are already predicting they will be hiring thousands to keep up with summertime projects. And they expect that to add up to at least 1,000 jobs here in Nevada.

While big retailers report being busier early this year, the little retailers are too. 'We've really seen it pick up this past week,' said Lucas Harris of Ace Hardware in Reno. 'We're really running. Some people know just what they want and others need more hand-holding, but it's all good for business. We expect to hire on a few more employees, but we also have a lot of college students who will be getting a lot more hours.'

The Garden Shop in west Reno is expecting to hire on as well. 'A lot more people are growing their own vegetable gardens and that is giving us work,' says owner Ed Bath. We expect to hire back employees from last year and then probably 10-15 additional employees this summer. It's already picking up.'