Nebraska is the 21st Best State for Business 2014

J.P. Donlon

J.P. Donlon

Eric Thompson, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln economist, reports that the state is seeing moderate growth. In addition, KOLN-TV reports that tech jobs are keep graduates in the farming state. Gov. David Heineman is actively recruiting veterans, and the state recently launched a recruitment mobile app.

Previous State: Oklahoma Next State: Missouri

No. 21 Nebraska

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Key Metrics
State GDP 

  • % Growth ’12-’13: 3.0
  • % Growth ’11-’12 v. Nat’l Avg. (2.5%): -1

Unemployment

  • Unemployment Rate Dec. 2013 %: 3.6
  • Comparison with Nat’l Rate (6.70%): -3.1

Domestic Migration

  • Domestic Net Migration 2013: -695
  • Rank: 23

State Government

  • State Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’13 ($): 1,306
  • State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 642

State-Local Tax Burden

  • Rate (%): 9.7%
  • Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -0.17%
Key Companies
  • Berkshire Hathaway
  • ConAgra
  • Union Pacific Railway
  • TD Ameritrade
Development Trend Indicator: Neutral
Sadly, Gov. Heineman punted on chance to eliminate personal income tax.
CEO Comments
“The cost of doing business on the east coast vs. Midwest is dramatically different. I continue to move jobs out of PA and into other operations in KS, NE and ND as the costs (healthcare, workers comp) are significantly higher and worker productivity levels are significantly lower. East Coast employees have learned how to game the system and the elected officials appear to be OK with this.”


Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation


J.P. Donlon

J.P. Donlon

J.P. Donlon is Editor Emeritus of Chief Executive magazine.

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