Q&A: Dean Gettman, CEO and Founder of Platinum Contracting of Nevada, on the Growth of Underground Utilities Industry

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Dean Gettman is the CEO and founder of Platinum Contracting of Nevada, a Las Vegas-based full-service general contracting firm who specializes in underground utilities. Dean oversees the firm’s operations including business development and project management, spearheading its expansion to over 30 team members and the completion of more than $20 million in projects throughout Las Vegas within the span of five years. Dean is also the president of Lake Las Vegas Lake Management, LLC.

1) What is the current state of the underground utilities industry in Nevada and how do you see it continue to grow?

As the Las Vegas home market continues to grow, the need for underground utilities grows with it. Having the proper infrastructure in place for a growing Las Vegas region is imperative. With an average influx around 6,000 new residents per month, there is a dire need for reliable and efficient utility distribution systems.

The current state of the underground utilities market is stable and trending upwards. With the introduction of federal programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding, we anticipate the need for underground utilities to only increase in the coming months. Especially the need for properly installed power grids. If the grid cannot sustain demand the situation will become critical, as we've seen in such states such as Texas and California.

2) What kind of trend are you seeing in the underground utilities industry in the Western region states and do you think Nevada will follow them?

We are seeing more and more states mandating underground utilities, slowly eliminating the install of above ground or overhead utility installations. Cities who have implemented underground utility ordinances such as, Ft. Collins and Colorado Springs, Colorado and Anaheim, California, are reporting 99.9 percent reliability rates and some with more than a 97 percent reduction in electric outage minutes.

Nevada seems to be following suit with almost all new community developments implementing underground utilities. Not only are these installations more reliable, but they are also safer, reducing the likelihood of weather damage, damages caused by equipment and overhead lines and the need for maintenance.

3) What do you see as the demand for underground utilities from real estate developers and residents in Southern Nevada?

More and more developers are pushing for underground utilities. Aesthetically, they are more appealing when entirely hidden from view. It also reduces the risk of inclement weather knocking down overhead power lines, potentially damaging homes or causing outages. The push for moving all utilities underground continues to grow as reliability and efficiency is becoming a priority, and as we prepare to accommodate more energy sources like electric vehicles.