Gilbane expanding into Northern Nevada

Gilbane Building Company, one of the nation's largest and oldest construction firms, has been hiring members of Carson City's Metcalf Builders Inc.

The workers started the transition about a year ago, said Tom Metcalf, who plans to dissolve the construction company he founded in 1994 in a matter of weeks.

So far seven of his employees have been hired by Gilbane. Ultimately, two others and Metcalf will become part of the company.

"It was a way to get my employees good work," Metcalf said.

Matthew Tierney, Gilbane's senior vice president and regional manger who is based in San Jose, Calif., said the company started looking to expand into the Northern Nevada region while working on a project in Reno about three years ago.

Today, Gilbane will maintain an office in Carson City, located in the former location of Metcalf Builders Inc.

Gilbane was founded in 1873 and is based in Providence, R.I. Among its most notable projects are the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

In 2010, the company was ranked No. 120 on the Forbes list of America's Largest Private Companies. Its 2009 revenues were $3.1 billion, according to Forbes.

Metcalf said his relationship with Gilbane means more resources and more work throughout the region.

"We're looking at it as a new beginning," he said.

Used car dealership opens in north Carson City

A used car dealership has set up shop in the former Valley Chevrolet lot in north Carson City.

Experience Cars opened the location this week at 2500 N. Carson St. The property is still owned by Dennis Plummer, of Lodi, Calif., who is leasing it to Jared Aughe, owner of Valley Auto Center.

In turn, Aughe is subleasing the space to Experience Cars owner Raul Tisea, 29, who said the dealership offers a variety of models, from small cars to big trucks.

It's the second location for Tisea's company, which also has a location at 2980 Highway 50 E.

"This is an opportunity," Tisea, said. "This building sat empty for two years."

He's even set up a Volkswagen camper display inside the show room.

Aughe said Tisea's company is renting the showroom, "but we're still renting out the vast majority of the building." He said a paralegal and a church also are subleasing space in the building.

The last major car dealer to occupy the building was Michael Hohl's Chevrolet store. He leased the 2.7-acre lot in 2007, but ultimately took the dealership to his GM dealership in south Carson City in 2009.

Carson City store relocates

Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership opened its new location at 3355 S. Carson St., on March 4.

The company had been located in a north Carson City store. The company built a new outlet on the former location of the Carpet Barn.