CEO Guide to Site Selection
#28
Nebraska
CEO Rank on Best & Worst States for Business
FINDING THE TALENT TO MEET THE GROWTH
Nebraska currently has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, and the state’s manufacturing employment has surpassed pre-pandemic levels to reach the highest point since the Great Recession. While this has led to opportunities, it also presents a challenge for the state’s talent pipeline. New initiatives to grow the workforce, such as the Developing Youth Talent Initiative, Nebraska Career Scholarships and Registered Apprenticeship Program, hope to fill the gaps. Kawasaki, Facebook, Amazon and ReCircled have all announced investments here in the past year.
TAXES
top corporate income tax
on the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index ranking
EDUCATION
of students graduated high school in 2019
of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
RIGHT TO WORK STATE
Yes
QUALITY OF LIFE
POPULATION GROWTH
increase between 2010 and 2020
KEY INCENTIVES
Nebraska Advantage Act: Offers credits against sales tax, income tax and employee withholding obligations. Companies may be eligible for a refund of sales tax on a project’s capital purchases and real and personal property tax benefits and exemptions.
The Customized Job Training Program: Provides employee training assistance to businesses that expand and diversify the state’s economic base.
The Intern Nebraska Grant Program (InternNE): Provides financial assistance to businesses that create new internships. InternNE can reimburse up to 50% of an intern’s wages, up to $5,000 per internship and up to 75% of wages or $7,500 per internship for those receiving a Pell Grant.
EDCs
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
opportunity.nebraska.gov
Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development
selectlincoln.org
Greater Omaha Chamber
omahachamber.org/economic-development
HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE
Created in 2012 to grow the state’s startup climate, the Business Innovation Act continues to bear fruit. A 2020 report by the UNL Bureau of Business Research found BIA recipients report having created more than 1,100 direct jobs since receiving a BIA grant, up from 640 in 2018. Stakeholders say while part of the growth is due to more businesses receiving grants over time, it’s also evidence that the program is doing what it was de- signed to do—funded businesses are going on to raise private capital from outside Nevada, generate revenue and hire employees.
BIG DEALS
- Amazon announced in October 2020 a 700,000-square- foot fulfillment center in Sarpy County.
- Facebook announced in March 2021 a $1.5 billion data center in Sarpy County, which will be one of the biggest in the world.
- Garment and shoe recycling company ReCircled announced in April 2021 the opening of a new facility in Sidney.
- Kawasaki announced in July 2021 a $200 million expansion and 550 new jobs at its facility in Lincoln.
- Carbon black manufacturing company Monolith announced in September 2021 plans to create 200 more jobs in Lincoln.
- Pet food manufacturer Instinct announced in October 2021 a $180 million expansion and consolidation of its operations in Lincoln.
BIG COMPANIES
Four Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the state:
- Berkshire Hathaway
- Union Pacific
- Mutual of Omaha Insurance
- Kiewit