Why Is Nebraska Different From Other States?
A combination of important factors that contribute directly to your company's profitability: good people in a great place with fair prices. This powerful blend of resources results in concrete growth opportunities for a wide variety of companies that are represented and thrive in this great state.

People
Well-traveled business people know that the best elements of America can still be found in the Midwestern United States. Here, personal and professional values are solid. Individual pride in one's work results in high-quality products being manufactured in a minimum amount of time. In other words, TRUE PRODUCTIVITY. This is one of the main reasons that domestic and international companies have chosen to consistently expand operations in the Midwest, particularly during difficult economic times.
Nebraska's location is truly in the center of the Great American Breadbasket. Nebraskans are proud of a heritage that combines an agricultural background with broad cultural and cosmopolitan experiences. Modern agriculture enables bountiful harvests of commodities and millions of livestock to be produced by a small percentage of the population; most Nebraskans are employed in the manufacturing and services sectors. Nonetheless, a friendly atmosphere of warmth and politeness exists throughout the state.
Nebraskans are well-educated and self-motivated. Community respect and an attitude of self-reliance result in safe, clean, and well-developed communities. For most, this quality of life is important, and it keeps people coming home to Nebraska.  

 
Place
Nebraska truly is located in the heart of the United States and North American continent. Virtually equidistant to the coasts and the borders of Canada, and Mexico,  Nebraska is strategically located for companies that serve regional, national and international markets. For companies planning to consolidate multiple operations (or establish a new approach) for the North American market, Nebraska  is an ideal location. A central location means minimized delivery times and costs. Interstate superhighways crossing the state allow rapid access - for products and people - to major markets in all directions. Several railroad companies operate across Nebraska, and a growing air transport network affords direct, convenient access. Overnight shipping is available from many points in the state for full containers, as well as small parcels. 

 
Price
Many factors make Nebraska the best location for price, and your company's bottom line. Significant inputs such as land, buildings, natural gas, electricity, and water are all plentiful and reasonably priced. Communities throughout the state have designated space for various manufacturing purposes, and many support new companies with special incentives and allowances. Major gas pipelines sourcing directly from producing fields mean low cost gas from a number of efficient suppliers. Electric utilities are publicly owned in Nebraska; the citizens - corporate and private - are the shareholders to whom profits are returned in the form of lower rates. Traditionally, electrical rates in Nebraska are among the lowest in the United States. Underground water supplies are abundant and clean throughout most of the state - Nebraska has the greatest underground reserves of any state in the United States.  

Two other crucial items to be considered are, of course, labor costs and taxes. Nebraska wage rates probably are not the lowest in the nation. PRODUCTIVITY RATES, on the other hand, are near the top in the nation when measured as the total product manufactured against total labor cost. We strongly encourage you to meet the companies in our state that have multiple locations throughout the country to learn how their experiences compare with other locations.  

Beyond wage rates, other important labor costs such as unemployment insurance, worker's compensation insurance, and absenteeism are very low in comparison to national and even regional averages. In brief,  Nebraskans continue to believe in the maxim about an "honest day's work for an honest day's pay." 

With regard to taxes, Nebraska's progressive tax incentive program has encouraged hundreds of companies, large and small, to take advantage of a system that rewards companies that invest in their own future and the future of their employees. Basically, qualifying companies can earn a "tax holiday" from state corporate income taxes for up to 15 years in addition to refunds of state sales taxes paid on items involved in the companies' growth. Please contact the Nebraska Department of Economic Development or the Department of Revenue to discuss the details of this program. 

Finally, there are no state property taxes, no taxes on business inventories, no sales tax on energy used in manufacturing, and no taxes on intangibles in Nebraska.  

International Firms with Investments in Nebraska

A Partial Listing of Nebraska Companies Conducting International Trade

This list is not all inclusive; many other smaller Nebraska firms compete effectively in international markets as well.  

A Partial Listing of Major U.S. Corporations with Significant Operations in Nebraska

Contact us for additional information about Nebraska. All inquiries are, of course, confidential. We look forward to assisting you and your company with future growth in America's Heartland.

Office of International Trade and Investment
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
P.O. Box  94666, 301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
Telephone: (402) 471-3111
Fax: (402) 471-3778
TDD: (402) 471-3441
Toll Free in the US: 1-800-426-6505