What worked for Nebraska in 2016 worked just as well in 2017, as the state successfully defended its claim to the Governor’s Cup it won last year. The recognition is based on the number of projects per capita, and Nebraska gained 110.
Ask Gov. Ricketts why he thinks Nebraska won Site Selection’s facilities race again in 2017, and he’ll point first to the workforce.
“The main reason people want to invest in Nebraska is the people,” Gov. Ricketts told Site Selection. “We consistently have one of the highest workforce participation rates. From personal experience, when you hire a Nebraskan, you know he or she is well-educated and has a great work ethic. They are customer-focused and loyal — they really want to work.”
Also typical, says Ricketts, is the state’s team approach to landing new businesses.
Can Nebraska differentiate itself from neighboring states — or those farther afield — and secure a third consecutive Governor’s Cup? That’s the plan, says Ricketts.
“We have the best people in the world, first,” he relates. “I can relate directly to businesses coming in and wondering about that, because at TD Ameritrade, we hired thousands of Nebraskans. Second, we’re running the state more like a business — more effectively and efficiently, which helps us to control our costs and not have to raise taxes. Third is cutting red tape. We are continuing to drive a state that is customer-friendly by getting rid of the regulations that are antiquated and making the state easier to do business with.”
“We appreciate our strong relationship with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development staff as we work together with our community leaders selling the “good life” in Nebraska.” “This award reflects highly upon the work of NPPD’s Economic Development Team, both our internal support staff in Columbus and our field consultants located throughout our service territory,” said Mary Plettner, NPPD Economic Development Manager, “The national recognition brought by this award is also an outcome of the close working relationship and partnership approach to rural economic development that NPPD enjoys with its wholesale customers and local economic development groups.”
Site Selection‘s database used to select winners focused on new corporate facility projects with significant impact, including headquarters, manufacturing plants, R&D operations and logistics sites, among others. It does not track retail and government projects, or schools and hospitals. New facilities and expansions included in the analyses must meet at least one of three criteria: (a) involve a capital investment of at least $1 million, (b) create at least 20 new jobs or (c) add at least 20,000 sq. ft. (1,858 sq. m.) of new floor area.
Parts of this article courtesy Site Selection.