Nebraska Public Power District's (NPPD) series of industry opportunity studies analyze and quantify the industrial location advantages of NPPD's service area and communities for specific targeted industry groups. The studies compare the geographically-variable operating costs for NPPD's service area with the geographic areas where these industries have traditionally been concentrated. In each study a model plant that is representative of the respective industry group is "constructed" and used to quantify these geographically-variable costs. The comparative advantages of NPPD's service area are then quantified by the two principal cost dimensions (labor-related and energy costs) that vary geographically.

Nebraska offers a wide range of locational advantages to manufacturers. An attractive business climate, a well-educated and productive labor force, reliable supplies of low cost energy, and a location central to national markets are among the leading advantages of a Nebraska location. Read on to learn more about what each study offers.

Manufacturers of Plastics Products Study

(May 2012) NAICS 3261 group, Plastics Products Industry, Approx. 40 pages.

Model Plant Size: 50 production workers, NAICS 3261

Study Size: 16 states. Besides Nebraska, these states include the top ten states in terms of industry production as well as other states near Nebraska with which it typically competes for industrial location projects.

Advantages: Compared to the 15 alternative states, Nebraska is found to offer an average annual savings of $364,297 in labor-related costs, which is 15.3 percent less than the average labor costs for the other states.

This study also concludes that a Nebraska plant location offers a significant energy cost advantage. Industrial electric rates for the alternative states average 20.4 percent more, and the average industrial gas rate is 17.4 percent higher than Nebraska. Combining these advantages, Nebraska's energy cost for the model plant is 16.6 percent less than the average for the 15 alternative locations.

Together, Nebraska's annual labor and energy costs for the model plant are $445,065, or 15.5 percent less than the average costs for the 15 alternative states. Conversely, the average labor and energy costs in the alternate 15 states are 18.3 percent more than the Nebraska labor and energy costs.

• Download your complete copy today - Plastics Study (PDF, 1.6 MB)
• Request a bound copy by emailing econdev@nppd.com
• Subscribe to online announcements for future studies and additional economic development information using the Library Request Form

Food Processing Study

(January 2013) Generally applicable for the Food Processing industry as a whole (NAICS 311), Approx. 44 pages. Model Plant Size: 50 employees, NAICS 311 Study Size: 16 states. Besides Nebraska, these states include those currently having the largest production in the industry as well as other states near Nebraska with which the state typically competes for industrial location projects.

Advantages: Compared to the average labor costs for the 15 alternative states, Nebraska is found to offer an annual savings of $234,484 in labor related costs, which is 9.0 percent less than the average labor costs for the other states.

This study also concludes that a Nebraska plant location offers a significant energy cost advantage. Industrial electric rates for the 15 alternative states average 16.4 percent more than the Nebraska rate and the average industrial gas rate is 25.8 percent more. Combining these advantages, Nebraska’s energy cost for the model plant is 16.8 percent less than the average energy cost for the 15 alternative locations.

Together, Nebraska’s annual labor and energy costs for the model plant are $340,095, or 10.5 percent less than the average annual labor and energy costs for the 15 alternative states. Conversely, the average labor and energy costs in the other 15 states are 11.7 percent more than the Nebraska labor and energy costs for the food processing model plant.

• Download your complete copy today - Food Processing Study (PDF, 2.4 MB)
• Request a bound copy by emailing econdev@nppd.com
• Subscribe to online announcements for future studies and additional economic development information using the Library Request Form

Manufacturers of Fabricated Metal Products Study

(April 2013) Generally applies to NAICS 332, Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing subsector, Approx. 43 pages. Model Plant Size: 50 production workers, NAICS 332 Study Size: Sixteen states are examined in the analysis. These states include the top eight states in terms of value of shipments by the Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing subsector, the three states with the highest potential for wind power generation (Nebraska ranks third), and other states near Nebraska with which it typically competes for industrial location projects.

Advantages: Compared to the 15 alternative states, Nebraska is found to offer an annual savings of $295,447 in labor-related costs, which is 10.4 percent less than the average labor costs for the other states.

This study also concludes that a Nebraska plant location offers a significant energy cost advantage when compared to the average cost of the other 15 states. Industrial electric rates in the alternative states average 9.1 percent higher, and the average industrial gas rate is 22.3 percent more. Combining these advantages, Nebraska’s energy cost for the model plant is 11.1 percent less than the average for the other 15 alternative locations.

Together, Nebraska’s annual labor and energy costs for the model plant are $323,520, 10.4 percent less than the average costs for the 15 alternative states. Conversely, the average labor and energy costs in the other 15 states are 11.6 percent more than the Nebraska labor and energy costs.

• Download your complete copy today - Fabricated Metal Products Study (PDF, 5.4 MB)
• Request a bound copy by emailing econdev@nppd.com
• Subscribe to online announcements for future studies and additional economic development information using the Library Request Form