Chambers, economic developers back workforce, infrastructure provisions in budget proposal

​LINCOLN – A statewide coalition of chambers and economic developers Tuesday recognized legislative leaders for advancing key budget recommendations out of committee that are key to attracting and retaining talent, building supply chain resilience and creating new opportunities for all Nebraskans.
 
“While these budget proposals are not final, this package could make a real impact on workforce and economic growth over the coming decade,” said NE Chamber President Bryan Slone. “They reflect a growing public policy focus on ensuring Nebraska’s competitiveness.”
 
Specifically, the mainline budget adjustment bill (LB1011), funds transfer bill (LB1012), and cash reserve transfer bill (LB1013) contain provisions prioritized by the statewide “Good Life Game Changer” coalition in legislative priorities this year, including:

• $50 million in support of new, industrial rail park infrastructure, paving the way for supply chain resilience in Nebraska’s core manufacturing, transportation and logistics sectors;
• $30 million for Rural Workforce Housing grants to help attract and retain talent, and build quality of life in more rural areas;
• $20 million for Middle Income Workforce Housing grants to help attract and retain talent and build quality of life in urban communities;
• $20 million to scale up and increase both employer and student participation in Intern Nebraska; and
• $25 million for an Agricultural Research Service National Center to jumpstart innovation and aid technology transformation.

 
The budget adjustment package also allocates more than $200 million to enhance outdoor recreation across the state, adjusts the Nebraska’s Business Innovation Act to spur additional investment, and expands the state’s high-skill, high-demand, high-wage (H3) career scholarship program.
 
“From infrastructure to workforce housing to job training – this proposed budget adjustment hits on many items facing communities of all sizes in their efforts to improve the economy and quality of life here in Nebraska,” said Walker Zulkoski, president, Nebraska Economic Developers Association.
 
In January, the “Good Life Game Changer” coalition, comprised of the Nebraska Economic Developers Association, the NE Chamber, the NE Chambers Association, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, unveiled policy priorities to take advantage of once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunities and federal recovery funds to help Nebraskans, their communities, and their employers compete better globally over the coming decades. Learn more at nechamber.com.