Doing business in Nebraska makes sense. You are invited to learn more about how Nebraska can be the right place of business for you.
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For further information about the many advantages of doing business in Nebraska, please contact us by calling
Proven Success - Profitable LocationsNebraska locations have proven profitable for manufacturing firms - so profitable that Nebraska now has approximately 2,000 manufacturing establishments. Food processing is the leading type of manufacturing, followed by industrial machinery and electronic equipment.
The ethanol industry in the United States is growing at a rapid pace, and Nebraska is now ranked second in ethanol production. Nebraska has 12 operating plants with additional plants in various stages of development. These plants offer a tremendous opportunity for ethanol-related businesses to serve this growing market. (Further information about ethanol opportunities available @ www.ethanolsites.com.)
Many firms, including such nationally known companies as BD Medical Systems (formerly known as Bector Dickinson), Eaton Corporation, Emerson Electric, Farmland Industries, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Tenneco, Tyson Foods, and Valmont Industries have more than one plant in Nebraska -- strong testimony to the state's profitable climate.
Nebraska's record of business success goes beyond manufacturing companies. Companies such as Ameritas Life Insurance Corporation, Cabela's, and SITEL also find Nebraska to be an environment conducive to growth.
In addition to a favorable business environment, Nebraska's record of business success can also be traced to strong support of economic development partners throughout the state. When evaluating a location for your company, it's important to consider a state's record of business success. We can tell you Nebraska is a profitable business location, and we can prove it (see Targeting & Opportunity Studies in this website).
Low Cost of Doing BusinessAs you know, there are two ways to increase the profitability of a company. The first is to increase revenue... the second is to reduce cost. Nebraska is just the location to help you do that.
The low cost of doing business in Nebraska is one of the reasons Nebraska consistently ranks among the best business climates in the nation year after year. It's also one of the key reasons Nebraska businesses outperform across the U.S., and why many Fortune 500 companies operate multiple plants in Nebraska.
Quite simply, things are affordable in Nebraska. Labor, real estate, and utility rates, for example, are less than in most other parts of the country.
Site/Building Costs: In addition to providing quality, low-cost labor and energy,
Nebraska can give your company a leg up by simply starting out with lower costs than your competition.
Our searchable database is loaded with available and affordable industrial sites and buildings.
See for yourself! Search for a
Serving 91 of 93 counties in Nebraska means we have contacts. Our team of professionals can help you find a location - even if its not currently in our searchable database.
Labor Costs Nebraska features lower-than-average rates for unemployment and workers'
compensation insurance, as well as a right-to-work provision in the state constitution. Nebraska's
performance-based tax incentives further add to the state's low cost of doing business.
Learn more about Nebraska's quality
Water Costs: Clean water is also abundantly available and affordable in Nebraska, thanks to a huge underground aquifer.
The Ogallala Aquifer stretches beneath most of Nebraska and contains an estimated
Energy Costs: Electric rates are among the nation's lowest. Nebraska offers high-quality reliable electric power and abundant supplies of natural gas and fresh water at costs below the national average. Industrial electrical rates, for example, are approximately 33 percent lower than the national average.
Nebraska is the only state in the nation served with electricity totally from public power. Nebraska's public utilities have ample electric generating capacity to meet present and future needs. Nebraska has an efficient mix of power produced with water (hydro), low-cost fuels and wind turbines. Learn more about the benefits of public power on this page.
Want to see just how much your business can save in Nebraska? Read one of our opportunity studies specific to your industry (found under Targeting & Opportunity Studies) or submit a copy of a current electric bill to NPPD's Economic Development Department and rate specialists will compute your electric costs in Nebraska. NPPD also has staff available to assist in a variety of energy related and technical areas specific to your industry.
Market Access
Look at a map of the United States and you'll immediately notice one of Nebraska's biggest advantages -- location!
Nebraska's central location along key transportation routes provides your business unmatched speed to all major markets regardless of direction. Within one day, goods shipped by truck reach 26 percent of the U.S. population; add a second day and the percentage skyrockets to 91 percent. The state's central location within the Mid-Continent NAFTA Trade Corridor makes it an ideal location for companies that rely on trade with Canada and Mexico.
Nebraska's transportation routes are congestion-free, allowing for more efficient and timely delivery, unloading and loading of freight, no matter what the mode transportation - highway, rail, air, or barge. With Nebraskan as your distribution point, your company is guaranteed to save millions of dollars.
Highways: Nebraska is devoted to the upkeep and development of its transportation infrastructure. Nebraska works hard
to maintain and improve its 483-mile stretch of Interstate 80, which links to both the East and West Coasts. Seven national highways run north-south across the state in all 22,156 miles of hard-surfaced roads.
Nebraska is part of a nationwide automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system that allows participating
transponder-equipped commercial vehicles to bypass designated weigh station facilities. This
system features technologically advanced plates built into roadways so trucks are weighted while
maintaining their 75 mph speed.
Rail: The nation's two largest rail companies -- Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific -- serve Nebraska providing rail service to most of the state's communities. Thirteen freight railroads operate more than 3,600 miles of track throughout the state. No major city in the United States is more than 5 days by rail from Nebraska. Amtrak provides passenger service in Nebraska with stops in five communities
Air: Commercial airline service is available in nine Nebraska cities, providing direct
service to major hubs. Schedules airfreight service is provided to five additional communities
with on-demand service available.
A total of 83 public-use airports are located throughout the state.
Water: The Missouri River, on Nebraska's eastern border, provides a water link to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean via the Mississippi River. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains a 9-foot deep, 300-foot wide channel for 735 navigable miles from Sioux City to the mouth of the Missouri River near St. Louis. The free-flowing river with no locks or dams is navigable approximately eight months of the year.
Time Zone: Nebraska's location also provides a time zone advantage to companies with national customer service requirements. Approximately two-thirds of the state rests in the Central time zone (the other third is in the Mountain time zone).
Labor ForceNebraska's labor force is productive, dependable, and available. Greater labor stability, reduced turnover, lower absenteeism, fewer work stoppages, happier and more contented employees, and higher individual productivity are characteristics of the excellent labor force in Nebraska.
Productivity: Contributing to the high labor productivity in Nebraska are very low absenteeism and labor turnover rates. These traits, combined with mechanically adept and readily trainable workers, directly translate into industry profitability.
Education: Nebraska's well-educated work force is the state's most attractive resource. Nebraska high school students consistently achieve among the best average scores in the nation for both the SAT and ACT. However, the education and technical training of Nebraska workers does end with high school. Significant opportunities for continuing education exist within the state system of public and private community colleges that provide specialized training programs for new and expanding industries.
The Nebraska
Workforce Development, Nebraska Department of Economic
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Positive Labor Climate: Nebraska's positive labor climate is further supported by competitive wage rates and unemployment and workers' compensation rates as well as high value per dollar of production payroll. Further enhancement of the labor climate is derived from a long-established climate of favorable management/labor relations and a right-to-work provision in the Nebraska Constitution. Labor Costs: Nebraska has lower than average unemployment, workers' compensation insurance, and wage rates. Nebraska's positive labor climate and low turnover rates contribute to unemployment insurance costs which are among the nation's lowest. Unemployment insurance costs in Nebraska are significantly lower than the national average! For further information specific to labor and energy costs per production worker in a variety of industries, read one of our Opportunity Studies under Targeting & Opportunity Studies in this site. |
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EducationThe fact that Nebraska students are high achievers is reflected in their exceptional graduation rates. The 2004-05 graduation rate of 88 percent ranks Nebraska among the highest in the nation. Nebrask high school students consistently achieve among the best average scores in the nation for both the SAT and the ACT.
Fortunately the educational and technical training of Nebraska workers does not end with high school. Significant opportunities for continuing education exist within the state colleges and universities and within the statewide community college system.
With the industrial sector becoming more aware of the significant benefits associated with
the presence of quality institutions of higher education, Nebraska's postsecondary educational
institutions represent an important asset for new and expanding businesses. The colleges offer
a full curricula of occupational courses and provide a steady flow of graduates to Nebraska industries.
In addition, customized training programs are offered to companies on site and/or on campus.
The University of Nebraska system, with campuses in Lincoln, Omaha, and Kearney, is a major center for both basic and applied research. A statewide community college system provides specialized training programs for new and expanding Nebraska industries.
Links to Colleges & Universities in Nebraska:
Taxes/Incentives - Nebraska Advantage!The Nebraska State Government is financed by an individual income tax, corporate income tax, 5.5 percent sales and use tax, corporate occupation tax, and selective excise taxes (liquor, tobacco, motor fuels, etc.). Local governments are financed primarily by property taxes, although some cities collect a city sales tax. Real estate and personal property taxes are levied by county and municipal subdivisions, including school districts. All real property except agricultural land is assessed at market value. Agricultural land is assessed at 75 percent of market value.
Highlights of the Nebraska tax structure:
The Nebraska Advantage package, effective January 2006, was put into law and designed to create a
business climate making Nebraska the preferred location for starting and growing your business. The Nebraska
Advantage rewards businesses that invest in the state and hire Nebraskans. In this progressive,
pro-business tax climate, corporate income and sales taxes are reduced or virtually eliminated.
For further information, visit www.NebraskaAdvantage.biz.
Components of the Nebraska Advantage package include:
Components of the Nebraska Advantage package include:
Other components in the Nebraska Advantage economic development package include:
Put Our Team To Work For You! NPPD's Economic Development Consultants can assist you in understanding the benefits of these programs and guide you through the application process. In addition to these benefits, many communities have local economic development programs, which may be applicable to your project.
If you would like more information on the advantages of living and working in Nebraska, contact us by calling (800) 282-6773 or emailing econdev@nppd.com. Additional contact information can be found on this website under Contact Us. All contacts are confidential
Links to getting the best Nebraska Advantage for your organization:
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DED - Nebraska Advantage Package Website (includes applications
and guides plus a tax incentive Excel spreadsheet!) Nebraska Tax Incentives (PDF, 1.2 MB) |
Public Power: It's All About You!
