The city of Mesquite, Nevada – located 81 miles north of Las Vegas – celebrated a significant milestone as Southwest Gas established natural gas service for its 1,000th customer. Southwest Gas, an energy company with service territories across Arizona, California, and Nevada, began serving the growing city in 2019.
Based in Mesquite, the Chicago Greek restaurant, which serves both classic Greek and Chicago-inspired dishes, converted from propane to natural gas to create more flexibility when cooking and enhance service to its customers. The restaurant also made the switch to experience lower operating costs.
“Having access to natural gas means progress for our restaurant and our community,” said Austin Simon, co-owner of Chicago Greek. “Natural gas makes it easier for restaurants or similar businesses to operate as it is easy to use, efficient, and more affordable. It’s half the cost for us and it is never going away.”
Simon noted that working with Southwest Gas to transition to natural gas was a smooth process and that customers are already experiencing the difference. The local Mesquite favorite has plans to further expand, utilizing Southwest Gas to fuel its business.
Serving the Unserved
Mesquite saw its first business become a Southwest Gas customer in 2019 as a result of the passing of Senate Bill 151 (SB151) in the 2015 Nevada Legislature, which allows a public utility that purchases natural gas for resale to expand and provide service to unserved or underserved parts of the state. Mesquite was the first unserved area in the state to gain access to natural gas service under SB151, following the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada’s approval of Southwest Gas’ application to expand natural gas service to Mesquite, sparking economic growth in the area by attracting new and diverse industries.
“Since welcoming our first customer in Mesquite back in 2019, it’s been amazing to witness the city’s residential and commercial growth,” said Justin Brown, President, Southwest Gas. “The demand for safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy options continues to expand, and Southwest Gas is committed to supporting Mesquite’s growth.”
Population Boom, Economic Growth
Mesquite is the fastest-growing city in Nevada, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and has become a top choice for companies choosing to relocate or expand their operations. Southwest Gas’ largest industrial customer in Mesquite is Crown Holdings, Inc., an aluminum beverage can manufacturing facility that employs more than 120 people, and began natural gas service in August 2023. Without access to natural gas service, Crown Holdings would have been unable to enter the Mesquite market. In addition to new industries finding a home in Mesquite, new homes are being constructed with natural gas and long-term businesses have converted from propane to natural gas to fuel their kitchens, hot water heaters and more, including the Casablanca Resort and the Eureka Casino Resort.
“The growth we’re experiencing in Mesquite is wonderful for our city, and Southwest Gas has been essential to the expansion of the area,” said Allan S. Litman, Mayor of Mesquite, Nevada. “Natural gas service offers tremendous benefits to our residents, helping to improve their quality of life. With natural gas infrastructure in place, we’ve also been able to attract new businesses and developments to our beautiful city, and current businesses, such as the Chicago Greek, are now experiencing greater efficiency and cost savings to help sustain their operations.”
Seeing the Savings
The Mesquite Chamber of Commerce is also seeing the benefits of natural gas service as an energy option. Chamber President and CEO, Carol Kolson, said, “The Mesquite Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to have Southwest Gas here in the community of Mesquite providing natural gas service to many customers and to have them as a community partner. Mesquite has many new homes being built and businesses looking to build or relocate here. Having natural gas here in Mesquite is a clean and affordable way to meet the demands of consumers.”
“It took Mesquite quite a while to get natural gas,” she said. “Now that we have it, residents and businesses are taking advantage of the savings.”
Learn more about Southwest Gas’ 1,000th customer in Mesquite and how the Company is contributing to the growth and economic development of the city by viewing the Mesquite Natural Gas Service Expansion website at swgas.com/mesquite.