Nebraska State Chamber Announces Campaign for State Incentives Proposal

A campaign supporting a proposed update to Nebraska’s economic development incentives program was launched last week.

Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said economic incentives have brought the state 110,000 new jobs since 1987.

“Every state bordering Nebraska, with the exception of South Dakota, has tax incentives,” Slone said. “Tax incentive programs are common in most all of the 50 states. It’s part of being able to play in the game.”

Slone said that Nebraska won’t attract projects, and the accompanying talent, without incentives. He spoke at a news conference last week advocating for the adoption of Legislative Bill 270, the ImagiNE Nebraska Act.

Economic development leaders from Beatrice, Chadron, Hastings, Lincoln, North Platte, Omaha and Cass County also spoke in favor of the legislation at the event last Thursday in downtown Lincoln.

“Job creation, economic growth, redevelopment and talent retention are keys to a prosperous future for our communities – a vision that can be realized with the appropriate economic incentives programs in place,” Brook Aken, president of the Nebraska Economic Developers Association, said in a news release.

The state chamber announced a Good for Nebraska campaign to reiterate the importance of incentive programs, urging lawmakers not to cut the program.

“Delivering tax relief and growing Nebraska’s economy go hand in hand,” said state Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, chair of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee. “We can’t achieve sustainable tax relief with a slowing or stagnant economy. We just have to keep the ball rolling on all fronts.”

The current economic incentives program, the Nebraska Advantage Act, will sunset in 2020.

For more from the campaign, visit goodfornebraska.org