Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen is Part of Virtual Panel on Transportation Emergency Response

LINCOLN, NE – When an emergency strikes impacting Nebraska roadways, the Department of Transportation is a frontline tactical force. Speaking as part of a panel during the Western Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (WASHTO) Conference, Governor Jim Pillen highlighted accomplishments and challenges faced by emergency responders and NDOT workers when called into action during severe weather and other events.

“NDOT is not just about routine road maintenance. The agency works alongside first responders during wildfires, floods, blizzards, and other crisis situations,” said Gov. Pillen. “During the Morrill and Cottonwood fires, NDOT utilized heavy equipment to cut miles of critical firebreaks to slow fast-moving fires, protect communities, and clear obstacles out of the way.”

The role of NDOT and other emergency responders was a focus of the Governor’s presentation on Wednesday, as well as how events can have long term economic impacts, even after the initial crisis is over.

“Recovery involves partnering with federal, state, and local agencies to support displaced cattle and hay recovery programs, repairing hundreds of miles of fencing, mitigating soil erosion, and helping local agencies track damage coordinates to assist when asking for federal disaster funding.”

Gov. Pillen was invited to speak at the conference, held in Nevada, as part of the National Transportation Emergency Response Summit (NTERS). The summit, which included transportation, emergency management, and public safety leaders, focused on how states can respond in cooperation with other agencies and local communities during major emergencies. Gov. Pillen joined Governor Josh Green from Hawaii in joining the moderated discussion virtually.

Among the challenges Gov. Pillen noted when managing emergency responses included navigating the state’s vast rural geography and reliance on volunteer response forces. Additionally, many of those agencies operate their own communication systems which are not often compatible with each other.

In advising other states on best practices, Gov. Pillen pointed out that having trust among jurisdictions and responding agencies is critical and that building those relationships cannot wait until a disaster happens.

“It’s important to cut red tape, empower folks on the frontlines and remember that emergency response is ultimately about neighbors helping neighbors, said Gov. Pillen. “Driven by a commitment to continuous improvement and addressing areas for improvement in our emergency response strategically and proactively ensures our team avoids repeating past mistakes.”

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WASHTO (Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) comprises 18 member states. These include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

NDOT Director Vicki Kramer currently serves as president of WASHTO.

This week, Nebraska was amongst the states in WASHTO to receive awards for regional transportation projects. The entries were part of 127 nominations from 45 state DOTs submitted as part of the 2026 America’s Transportation Awards. A link to the release can be found here: Press Release Western States Safety Projects

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Justin Pinkerman, DED, justin.pinkerman@nebraska.gov

Gov. Pillen Nominates 28 Tracts for Designation as Federal Opportunity Zones

View a map of the nominated tracts.

LINCOLN, NE — Today,Governor Jim Pillen announced that he has nominated 28 census tracts for designation as federal opportunity zones. He has submitted the nominations to the U.S. Treasury Department under the new Federal Opportunity Zones Program (OZ 2.0) authorized by Congress in 2025. The Governor was joined for the announcement by Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) Director Maureen Larsen, Omaha Mayor John Ewing, Lexington Mayor John Fagot, McCook Mayor Linda Taylor, and Norfolk Mayor Shane Clausen.

“Opportunity Zones are powerful tools to encourage investments that will help build housing and create jobs,” said Gov. Pillen. “The new Opportunity Zone initiative sweetens incentives for investing in rural communities, which is great news for Nebraska. We’re thankful to the Trump Administration for launching this game-changing initiative, which will boost our state’s economic growth without burdening Nebraska’s taxpayers.”

The Federal Opportunity Zones Program

Through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Congress established the first iteration of the federal Opportunity Zones Program (OZ 1.0). The purpose of the program is to promote investment and drive economic growth in low-income and/or economically disadvantaged communities. Nebraska has been a leading state in attracting investments into opportunity zones under OZ 1.0, ranking second among Midwestern states in opportunity zone investments per capita.

In 2025, Congress made the Federal Opportunity Zones Program permanent and updated its benefits through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The new program, OZ 2.0, includes enhanced tax benefits for qualified investments in rural communities. Per federal rules, Nebraska was allowed to nominate 28 of the state’s 112 eligible census tracts for designation as Opportunity Zones under the new program.

Nebraska’s Nomination Process

In March, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development invited communities with eligible census tracts to apply for Opportunity Zone designation. DED received applications from communities covering 107 of the 112 eligible tracts. The Department then evaluated the applications for investment readiness, economic need, and potential community benefit before providing recommendations to the Governor’s Office. Nebraska is among the first states to submit opportunity zone nominations for the new Federal Opportunity Zones Program. Following certification from the U.S. Treasury Department, the nominated tracts will be designated as opportunity zones beginning January 1, 2027.

“Thank you to Governor Pillen for positioning Nebraska to take full advantage of the new-and-improved Opportunity Zones!” said Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director Maureen Larsen. “Our state is leading the way in identifying tracts, both rural and urban, that are ripe for business and housing development. We’ve seen strong interest from across Nebraska in investing in Opportunity Zones. Thank you to the many communities who applied for OZ designation!”

The Benefits of Opportunity Zones

Within Opportunity Zones, investments made through certified investment vehicles known as “Opportunity Funds” can be used to spur economic growth—for example, by supporting new businesses or workforce housing development. Investors in Opportunity Funds can benefit from tax incentives, such as deferrals on capital gains tax.

Compared to the initial rollout of Opportunity Zones (OZ 1.0), the new Opportunity Zones initiative (OZ 2.0) includes significantly upgraded benefits for rural areas through the creation of a Qualified Rural Opportunity Fund. This fund offers investors better tax incentives (a 30% basis step-up compared to 10% for standard funds). It also lowers investment hurdles by decreasing the substantial improvement threshold for rehab projects from 100% to 50%.

“As Mayor, I’ve learned every city has potential. The challenge is in finding communities with promise. It’s creating conditions for promise to grow. That is why the opportunity zones matter,” said Mayor Clausen. “They don’t guarantee success. They don’t replace the hard work happening in our communities every day. What they do is give us another opportunity to compete, to attract investment, encourage redevelopment, and help turn good ideas into reality.”

“Some people might think — why Lexington with opportunity zones when we might have some adequate housing within our community?  We’re going forward. We’re going to work with building houses. We’re going to build our community. We’re going to go forward in every aspect,” said Mayor Fagot. “With this, we think it is going to create a lot of good opportunities. And we have a lot of optimism in our community.”

“The City of McCook would like to thank Governor Pillen and the team at the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for selecting McCook's Opportunity Zone application,” said McCook Mayor Linda Taylor. “This will help move our community forward with the recent expansions of our Industrial Park, new residential development projects, and the completion of our Airport Master Plan. We look forward to sharing with others the great things that we are doing in McCook.”

In May, Governor Pillen hosted U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner for community roundtables in Fremont and Omaha. During the visit Gov. Pillen and Secretary Turner discussed how Nebraska could best benefit from the new Opportunity Zones. As the new zones take effect, the State is particularly focused on encouraging public-private collaboration to develop workforce housing within them.

“We need all vehicles to drive development of housing that is safe, decent, and affordable,” said Omaha Mayor John Ewing. “I am hopeful this designation will spur meaningful change in the eastern part of our city where it is much needed.”

Opportunity Zones in Nebraska

To learn more about Opportunity Zones in Nebraska, visit the Department of Economic Development’s website.

A map of the 28 tracts that Governor Pillen nominated for designation as Opportunity Zones. They are also listed below.

Nebraska’s Census Tracts Nominated for Designation as Opportunity Zones

Congressional District 1:

1. Bellevue - Census Tract 104.02
2. Columbus - Census Tract 9656
3. Fremont - Census Tract 9642
4. Lincoln - Census Tract 5
5. Lincoln - Census Tract 6
6. Lincoln - Census Tract 18
7. Lincoln - Census Tract 21
8. Lincoln - Census Tract 31.04
9. Norfolk - Census Tract 9607

Congressional District 2:

1. Omaha - Census Tract 8
2. Omaha - Census Tract 11
3. Omaha - Census Tract 12
4. Omaha - Census Tract 16
5. Omaha - Census Tract 27
6. Omaha - Census Tract 29
7. Omaha - Census Tract 34.01
8. Omaha - Census Tract 40
9. Omaha - Census Tract 42
10. Omaha - Census Tract 70.01

Congressional District 3:

1. Alliance - Census Tract 9513
2. Beatrice - Census Tract 9649
3. Crete - Census Tract 9606.02
4. Hastings - Census Tract 9660
5. Lexington - Census Tract 9685
6. McCook - Census Tract 9633
7. North Platte - Census Tract 9602
8. Ogallala - Census Tract 1

9. Scottsbluff - Census Tract 9537

    

Gov. Pillen addresses attendees of Federal Opportunity Zones announcement

DED Director Maureen Larsen addresses attendees of Federal Opportunity Zones announcement

Norfolk Mayor Shane Clausen addresses attendees of Federal Opportunity Zones announcement

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Speaks to Nomination of Coach Osborne to Nebraska’s Hall of Fame

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen spoke on behalf of the nomination of legendary former football coach, congressman, and youth advocate Tom Osborne for induction as the first living member into the state’s Hall of Fame. Commission members voted unanimously in favor of Osborne’s inclusion, where he will join 27 other distinguished Nebraskans whose busts are displayed inside the State Capitol.

Addressing members of the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission, Gov. Pillen summarized many of Osborne’s accomplishments throughout the years, including some that are less known, like his military service, earning a doctorate in educational psychology and serving as a tutor for former Husker Coach Bob Devaney.

What began in 1991 as a local initiative with just 22 Husker football players mentoring middle schoolers in Lincoln has expanded into the TeamMates Mentoring Program, becoming the largest school-based mentoring initiative in the nation. Co-founded by Osborne and his wife Nancy, the program now includes more than 140 chapters across 130 communities and has served more than 50,000 students across the Midwest.

“Tom Osborne is the walk of the walk, and I think it’s extraordinarily important that we give him the recognition of the incredible Hall of Fame for the State of Nebraska,” said the Governor.

Across 25 seasons coaching the Husker football team, Osborne compiled a legendary 255-49-3 record, captured 13 conference titles, and brought home three national championships in 1994, 1995, and 1997. He retired with the highest winning percentage in the country among active football coaches, all the while placing a high focus on academic achievement among his players resulting in 26 Academic All-Americans.

Beyond the field and his mentorship program, Osborne served three terms representing Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives before returning to the University of Nebraska as its athletic director. 

“There are just so many extraordinary things that Coach has done and maybe in the end, you talk about an extraordinary, extraordinary, extraordinary public servant that has spent his life -- and still does today at his young age of 89 -- still committing to helping us,” summarized Gov. Pillen.

Gov. Pillen is an ex-officio member of the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Signs Executive Order on Data Centers

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order ending access to tax incentives provided through the state’s ImagiNE Nebraska Act for data centers. Joined at the announcement by Senator Mike Jacobson, Director of Economic Development (DED) Maureen Larsen and Director Jesse Bradley of Water, Energy and Environment (DWEE), the Governor said his order will allow the state to assess the benefits of such projects going forward, while also evaluating impacts to resources like land, water and electricity.  

“Early in my administration, I called for a pause in building new data centers, and this executive order is consistent with that call,” said Gov. Pillen. “Data centers are a booming industry. Major tech companies are pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into them. And while that presents significant economic opportunity, it also presents resource challenges.”

In addition to prohibiting data center applications from being approved under the ImagiNE Act, the order requires that DED, Revenue and DWEE work collaboratively when reviewing project proposals to determine if they are in the state’s best interest. It also requires the establishment of a data center task force through DWEE to ensure protection of the state’s natural resources.

Speaking about Nebraska’s unique water management system, Dir. Bradley said the task force will work with NRDs to ensure that policies and best practices are effective. Another aspect will be making sure that county officials have the necessary tools for zoning and other activities.

“I think this is just a great opportunity to educate and learn about all the great practices Nebraska has as a state but also examine those and make sure those practices are going to ensure that we have sustainable resources for the future,” added Bradley. “Building off of the work that was done on energy last session, I think this is a natural fit to now really examine the water side of things.”

Passage of LB1261 this year included ‘behind the meter’ legislation allowing massive industrial users to engage private entities in construction of their own power facilities, thereby protecting ratepayers from price hikes due to increased electrical demand. 

“This is not a moratorium on data centers,” said Gov. Pillen. “However, if a local entity chooses to engage in the development of a data center, it must now be developed in accordance with guidelines included in the executive order.”

Sen. Jacobson, who will be introducing legislation next year, said that providing tax incentives to data centers is not necessary at this point, given the amount of money the companies are able to generate on their own and that competition to entice them is not an issue.

"If a mega data center chooses to locate in Nebraska, our taxpayers and communities should receive the full benefit of that investment. Tax incentive programs should not return or waive the very revenue that could support our counties, cities, schools, and other political subdivisions,” said Sen. Jacobson. “We neither promote nor prohibit data centers. We ensure that if they locate here, the people of Nebraska benefit. I look forward to working with Governor Pillen and my colleagues next session on legislation that achieves that goal."

Dir. Larsen joined Gov. Pillen in acknowledging the role of data centers in the development of artificial intelligence and other technologies.

“As a matter of national security, it is absolutely critical for America to be a global leader in AI,” said the DED director. “And being at the forefront of AI will require building data centers in the U.S. At the same time, we must assess the impact of increased water and power demands on existing Nebraska businesses and communities. The Governor's executive order enables us to evaluate whether potential data center projects are truly in Nebraskans' best interests.”

“We need to make sure we have givers coming to Nebraska who want to make an incredible difference for democracy,” said Gov. Pillen. This executive order is simple – it’s a strategic and necessary step that will allow us to keep moving forward in this conversation with the right considerations and objectives in mind.”

Executive Order 26-17 can be found on the Governor's website here: Executive Order No. 26-17

Gov. Pillen speaks at data center news conference

Sen. Jacobson speaks at data center news conference

Gov. Pillen displays signed executive order 

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Issues Order to Allow for Continued Delivery Of Hay and Supplies to Nebraska

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has reissued an executive order allowing for the continued delivery of hay and other supplies to areas of the state ravaged by wildfires. Those fires, and continued drought, have severely impacted the availability of livestock feed.

The order allows for the relaxation of service hours and over-dimension and weight restrictions for commercial motor carriers which assist in the transport of those items.

The order will be in effect through Aug. 12.

The executive order is included below. 

Executive Order 26-16 PDF