Latest News from the Governor's Office

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.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Kevin Hynes, Nebraska National Guard, (402) 309-8390

Governor and First Lady Honor Military Spouses with New Service Ribbon

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen and First Lady Suzanne honored five spouses of recently retired Nebraska National Guard soldiers and airmen yesterday during a ceremony at the Governor’s Residence. Each spouse was presented with the state’s new Nebraska National Guard Military Spouse Service Ribbon.

“I just want to simply say on behalf of all the people in Nebraska, thank you very, very much,” said Gov. Pillen. “It takes an extraordinary family to support the spouse that loves this place and is committed to do everything they can. We’re just incredibly grateful.”

As commander-in-chief, the Governor talked about the opportunity to engage with members of the Nebraska Army and Air National Guard -- public servants he described as  “second to none.”

“It can’t happen without the other half being 100 percent committed, 100 percent on the team,” added Gov. Pillen, who signed a proclamation marking Oct. 27 as Military Spouse Appreciation Day.  That document also calls for the permanent creation and presentation of the Nebraska National Guard Military Spouse Service Ribbon as an official state decoration.

The ribbon, which is now included in the Guard’s state-level awards program, was authorized by Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, Nebraska’s adjutant general. It is to be presented to the spouse of a Guard service member in recognition of their “profound and meritorious service” on the occasion of their service member’s retirement.

The 1 3/8th inch ribbon, consisting of multiple gold, white, blue and red stripes, is designed to be worn on the lapel of the spouse during formal occasions. Eligibility for the new ribbon is retroactive to Guard spouses whose service member retired after May 8, 2026.

The initiative for creating the ribbon was jointly spearheaded by senior enlisted leaders of the Nebraska National Guard – Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Krecklow (Army) and Command Chief Master Sgt. Scott Tontegode (Air). It’s believed that Nebraska is the first state to have such a recognition.

“Throughout the history of this great state, when emergencies and disasters have happened, our Nebraska National Guard soldiers and airmen have been ready to shoulder whatever burden they have been given to help their communities, their state and their nation,” said Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly. “But, along with our state’s soldiers and airmen, our National Guard spouses also made that commitment by shouldering enormous burdens, making numerous sacrifices as their loved ones continued to serve.”

First Lady Suzanne Pillen echoed those thoughts, adding that the new ribbon helps recognize the countless sacrifices that Guard spouses make in support of their soldiers and airmen.

“When a Guard member is called, it is the spouse who is called upon to hold the family together. That person ensures that home life continues, taking children to school, maintaining their own job, paying the bills, fixing the meals and, in some cases handling critical issues while their military member is away,” said the First Lady. “It is a tremendous responsibility. Deployments can last months, and sometimes much longer. Our spouses serve just as assuredly as those who wear the uniform. They represent a partnership in service to our state.”

“Anyone who has worn the uniform of the Nebraska National Guard knows an undeniable truth: the soul of our formation does not reside in our armories, our readiness centers, our aircraft or our weapons systems. It resides around the kitchen tables of Nebraska, in the hearts of the spouses who stand watch at home while our soldiers and airmen stand watch across the globe,” added Maj. Gen. Strong. “In military doctrine, we speak often of “force multipliers’ -- assets that dramatically increase the combat effectiveness of a force. Make no mistake, our military spouses are the ultimate force multipliers of the Nebraska National Guard."

The first recipients of the new Nebraska National Guard Military Spouse Service Ribbon are:

• Angie Ropers, wife of retired Army Brig. Gen. Gary Ropers
• Jeanne Varejcka, wife of retired Army Col. Shane Varecjka
• Stacie Koehler, wife of retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Curtis Koehler
• Shellie Mueller, wife of retired Air Force Col. Wade Mueller
• Michelle Haugland, wife of retired Air Force Master Sgt. Tyler Haugland

Nebraska National Guard Military Spouse Service Ribbon

Gov. Pillen addresses Guard military members and their spouses at the Governor’s Residence

First Lady pins ribbon during ceremony recognizing military spouses

First Lady thanks ribbon recipient

Group photo of Guard military members, ribbon recipients and ceremony participants

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for Flood Damaged Counties

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has requested a federal disaster declaration due to severe flooding that occurred Sept. 30 through Oct. 6. The request for public assistance applies to the following counties: Douglas, Fillmore, Lancaster, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward and Thayer.

Those counties sustained damage to water control facilities, roadways, bridges, electrical distribution infrastructure, schools, public buildings and equipment. In addition, Lancaster, Thayer and Saunders counties had extensive amounts of debris that required removal. Damage assessments have already exceeded $23 million and could go higher.

“I have asked President Trump, through a request submitted to FEMA, to consider the extent of damage resulting from this extraordinary flooding event and to grant a request for public assistance, which will help cover the costs that communities, counties and our Natural Resource Districts will incur through repairs and recovery,” said Gov. Pillen.

Thunderstorms, which started on Sept. 30 caused widespread flash flooding. Rainfall was particularly significant in Lancaster and Douglas counties. In Omaha, 80 water rescues were reported.

In a separate request, Gov. Pillen has asked for a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration for Douglas County. As a result of the same flooding event, at least 25 homes and/or businesses were damaged, exceeding uninsured losses of at least 40 percent.

If granted, those property owners would have access to low interest loans to assist with their recovery.