Nebraska Chambers of Commerce and Economic Developers Issue Joint Call to State Leaders to Pass ImagiNE Nebraska Act

LINCOLN – Chambers of Commerce and economic developers across Nebraska today are calling on state leaders to seek compromise in the remainder of the legislative session. Delivering both acceptable property tax reform and a modernized economic incentives program will help reboot Nebraska’s economy and get Nebraskans back to work in good-paying jobs. Now is not the time to let a successful economic incentives program expire, they write.

Pass LB720 to help get Nebraskans back to work

Nebraska is fortunate to be in a better employment and economic position than other states at this time. We can use that advantage to bounce back and compete better nationally and internationally, right now. Even more importantly, we can enhance quality-of-life for families challenged by the economic conditions of coronavirus. Now’s the time to pass the ImagiNE Nebraska Act (LB720).

No question: We must get Nebraskans back to work safely and businesses growing competitively. Economic incentives are one of the primary tools states can use to stimulate investment from the private sector –investment that will help get our economy growing at this critical time. The state’s commitment in LB720 will help jumpstart that activity.

Economic incentive agreements are public/private partnerships that have historically returned $2.02 in goods and services for $1 in incentives earned. That’s in addition to the $10.8 billion in private capital investment, 100,000 jobs and 170 communities in Nebraska that have benefited from the current incentives program over the last decade.

ImagiNE Nebraska better promotes upskilling and workforce development to improve quality of life for all working Nebraskans, and those looking to relocate here. The bill requires higher wages than in the past and mandatory health insurance options. Under LB720, benefits earned by employers can be used toward workforce training, childcare and education programs, in addition to the traditional tax incentives.

LB720 is a targeted program designed to support 21st-Century economic and civic needs. It supports the growth of Nebraska’s economic bread and butter – agribusiness and manufacturing – with right-sized thresholds for small businesses, startups, entrepreneurs and rural communities. The flexibility in benefits is designed to help startups and small businesses scale up. These are exactly the high-growth sectors and good-paying jobs we should be pursuing.
Proudly, the proposed economic incentives plan continues to be a pay-for-performance program – no benefit until investments are made and jobs are created.

Our economic reboot and acceleration are dependent on our combined ability to work together for the benefit of Nebraska businesses, workers and agricultural producers. There is no more time for inaction. Now is the time for action.
Together, state and local chambers of commerce and economic development organizations are urging legislators to:
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• Adopt an acceptable solution to the high property taxes that are holding our producers back in the national and global economy.
  
  
• Promote policies that keep our talented workers in Nebraska by moving as many displaced workers as possible into higher paying jobs with employer-offered healthcare coverage.
  
  
• Pass the ImagiNE Nebraska Act to inspire the private sector to invest in Nebraska.

This bill is ready to go to work for Nebraskans. Don’t let Nebraska be the only state without an incentive program just when we need it most.

Signed by:
Alliance Chamber of Commerce
Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce
​Aurora Development Corporation
Greater Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce
Box Butte Development Corporation
Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce
Butler County Chamber of Commerce
Cass County Nebraska Economic Development Council
Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce
Cozad Chamber of Commerce
Cozad Development Corporation
Dawson Area Development
Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise (EDGE)
Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce
Greater Fremont Development Council
Gage Area Growth Enterprise (NGage)
Gothenburg Chamber of Commerce
Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation
Grand Island Chamber of Commerce
Hastings Economic Development Corporation
Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce
Economic Development Council of Buffalo County
Keith County Area Development Corporation
City of Laurel Economic Development
League of Nebraska Municipalities
Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Nebraska City Area Economic Development Corporation
Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce
Nebraska Diplomats
Nebraska Economic Developers Association
Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce
Norfolk Area Economic Development Council
North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation
Northwest Nebraska Development Corporation, Dawes County
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
Omaha Public Power District
O’Neill Area Chamber of Commerce
Phelps County Development Corporation
Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce
Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation
City of Scottsbluff Economic Development
Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber
Twin Cities Development Assoc., Inc.
Seward County Chamber & Development Partnership
Sidney and Cheyenne County Economic Development Partnership
South Platte United Chambers of Commerce
South Sioux City Community Development Agency
Washington County Chamber of Commerce
Gateway Development Corporation, Washington county
Valentine Chamber of Commerce
Valley County Economic Development
Wayne Area Economic Development
Western Nebraska Economic Development
York County Development Corporation