Labor & Growth
Proposal to let Nebraska cities rescind TIF-related ‘blighted’ label clears early hurdle
LINCOLN — A measure that would allow Nebraska cities to remove a “blighted” designation, thereby ending an area’s eligibility for future tax-increment financing incentives, has advanced out of a legislative committee. The Urban Affairs Committee in executive session voted to forward Legislative Bill 532 for debate by the full Legislature. Introduced by State Sen. Terrell […]
Nebraska’s ‘Magic City’ to be featured at new museum boosted by federal pandemic grant
OMAHA — A new museum spotlighting Nebraska’s “Magic City” is preparing to open in May, its birth boosted largely by a $100,000 federal pandemic-related grant. Situated in a bay of the state’s oldest indoor shopping mall, the South Omaha Immigrant History Museum will kick off with “The Smell of Money” exhibit, an homage to the […]
Pork processor partially owned by Pillen gets $25 million federal grant
OMAHA — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is one of about 200 farmer-owners of a pork processing plant in Fremont, Neb., that was awarded a $25 million federal grant to help add a second shift. Pillen, whose family runs a Columbus-based hog operation, Pillen Family Farms, is also part-owner of Wholestone Farms, a pork processing company […]
NU President Ted Carter named to national group set to redefine higher education for future workforce
LINCOLN — The head of the University of Nebraska system, Ted Carter, has been named to a newly formed national coalition charged with finding ways that higher education campuses can produce a more globally competitive workforce. The “Council on Higher Education as a Strategic Asset” includes about 40 leaders of U.S. education, government, business, military […]
New report sets off alarm about nurse shortage and patient care in Nebraska
OMAHA — Nebraska is on pace to be short 5,435 nurses by 2025, according to a new study urging state investment in education, recruitment and retention. Burnout, an aging nursing population and insufficient training funds are contributing to the struggle to fill positions and setting off an alarm about patient care, said the report by […]
Nebraska No. 1 in labor force participation rate, No. 2 in low unemployment rate
OMAHA — Nebraska’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 2.1%, according to the latest Labor Department data, and is tied with North Dakota for being the second lowest in the country. The Husker state also stands out on another economic indicator: Nebraska’s labor force participation rate reported for March was the highest in the nation, at […]
Dumbbell ranch operation in Nebraska Sandhills poised for next chapter
OMAHA — After less than a month on the market, the Nebraska Sandhills ranch with the quirky name and storied past is poised to be purchased by a Colorado family. The owners of the Dumbbell Ranch in the Hyannis area have a preliminary agreement with the potential buyer. And a member of the family that […]
Omnibus bill aims to help make Nebraska Crossing a mecca for ‘retail tourism’
LINCOLN — For years, the State of Nebraska has avoided giving incentives for retail development. The thinking has been that helping build a new shopping center just encourages existing businesses, and existing spending, to shift to a new location, generating little net gain in tax revenue or jobs. Plus, shopping center jobs don’t pay high […]
Nebraska settles lawsuit involving 400 current and former State Troopers
LINCOLN — The State of Nebraska has settled a 12-year lawsuit involving more than 400 current and former State Troopers, agreeing to pay them a combined $18.75 million. Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Gov. Jim Pillen announced the settlement Thursday with Gary Young, a lawyer representing the State Troopers Association of Nebraska. The Troopers sued […]
Employer-built ‘affordable’ housing in Sarpy County aims to help recruit and retain workers
LA VISTA — For six years, Ashley Plack had a house. She also worked two jobs to pay the bills and, with the maintenance demands of a homeowner, had little time to herself. Recently she sold the house, moved into a studio apartment in a residential complex built by her employer, Streck, and figures she […]
Elk Creek is among Nebraska towns boosted with new grants totaling about $2 million
LINCOLN — It’s been a half-century since the tiny Nebraska village of Elk Creek has witnessed the rise of a new public building. But after a few years of seeking state assistance, the farm town in southeast Nebraska is set to construct a community center, a pivotal development made possible with a grant announced Tuesday. […]
U.S. Reps. Flood and Neguse recreate House group aimed at innovators, entrepreneurs
LINCOLN — U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., and Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., announced Tuesday they are reviving a bipartisan group in Congress aimed at focusing federal lawmakers on the importance of steering policy toward nurturing the nation’s innovators and entrepreneurs. Flood, whose 1st Congressional District is home to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and community college […]