Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:    

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495   

Recent Report Points to Resilience of Nebraska Businesses

LINCOLN, NE -- A recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights the resilience of Nebraska businesses. Nebraska ranks among the top 10 states for private sector survival rates from 2000 to 2026.

The measure examines individual private sector establishments producing goods or services. The report examined how many establishments, created in 2000, were still in business today.

Nebraska’s survival rate of 20.3% is well above the national average of 15.7%. Nebraska was one of only eight states that had establishment survival rates over 20%.

“Nebraska is open for business,” stated Governor Jim Pillen. “This is further evidence of the resilience of Nebraska’s businesses and economy. Nebraska is the best place in the nation to start a business, build a career, and raise a family.”

The full report can be found here: Outlast State Establishment Survival Rates from 2000 to 2026

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Comments Following Meeting of the Economic Forecasting Advisory Board

LINCOLN, NE – The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board (NEFAB) voted today to add $23.2 million to the current fiscal year revenue projections for General Fund receipts.

Additionally, the Forecasting Board decreased projected revenue receipts by $89.6 million for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2027-2028, and by $276.3 million for the following Fiscal Year 2028-2029. Together, these decreases account for $342.7 million that will need to be addressed to support a balanced state budget over the next three years.

 “The foundations of Nebraska’s economy are stable and resilient,” said Governor Jim Pillen. “We must have the courage to reduce the size of government instead of growing it. Just like ordinary Nebraskans, state government must live within its means. Today’s forecast means we have about $393 million per year to solve for over the next three years. We have some tough decisions ahead, but working together with Nebraskans and the Legislature, we can balance the budget, live within our means, and deliver better government for our taxpayers.”

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Announces 28 Census Tracts Approved in New Opportunity Zones Program

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced that more than two dozen rural and urban Nebraska communities will reap the benefits of investment resulting from the new Federal Opportunity Zones Program.  Twenty-eight census submitted this summer by the Governor been approved by the U.S. Treasury. They include areas in each of the state’s three congressional districts.

“I’m proud to say that Nebraska was one of the first states to act and make nominations to this program,” said Gov. Pillen. “These identified tracts are now poised to benefit from investment that will help spur housing, jobs and attract workforce talent. Nebraska is open for business. This is another tool that will provide our communities the support they need for continued growth.”

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.

Approval of the 28 census tracts came under the second version of the Opportunity Zones Program (2.0). That version significantly upgrades 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%.

Following certification from the U.S. Treasury Department, the 28 nominated tracts will be designated as opportunity zones beginning January 1, 2027.

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

Click here for 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

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Issues Statement Concerning Completion of LPD Investigation

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen issued the following statement regarding the completion of the investigation by the Lincoln Police Department.

“This was political from the start. I’m glad it’s behind us so we can focus on the issues that matter most to Nebraskans and keep fighting to lower taxes, keep boys out of girls’ sports and protect our farmers.

I appreciate the Attorney General’s confirmation this morning of what we knew all along: 'Lincoln Police investigators reported that their investigation determined that the Governor’s Office was not implicated in any criminal wrongdoing.'"

The link to the AG’s release can be found here.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Report Highlights Nebraska's Low Poverty Rates

LINCOLN, NE – A recent report highlights Nebraska’s low poverty rates, ranking Nebraska among the lowest in the nation. Nebraska has the second lowest supplemental poverty rate in the country at 7.5%, compared with rates ranging from 8% to 10.8% in neighboring states.

The Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) has been reported since 2011 and provides a comprehensive picture of economic well-being by accounting for factors such as utility expenses, after-tax income, and government benefits. Nebraska also ranks fourth lowest nationally under the official poverty measure, with a poverty rate of 7.3%.

Broken down by age, among children under 18, Nebraska is ranked fifth on the SPM and is third for those ages 18 to 64. The state is ninth for people over 64, as determined by the SPM.

The report, issued by the U.S. Census Bureau, calculates data over a three-year average.