July 18, 2005

On the day I signed the Nebraska Advantage jobs creation package into law, I promised to do all I could to help promote the new opportunities offered to businesses here in Nebraska. Recently, I had the chance to make good on that promise by visiting communities around the state to talk about the new doors open to businesses, thanks to the Nebraska Advantage.

This package was designed to help communities attract new businesses, provide incentives for existing businesses to expand here in our state, and create more jobs for the growing pool of highly-skilled and educated residents. This landmark piece of legislation is already helping position our state to compete more aggressively in the global marketplace, and my recent tour was an opportunity to talk directly to business owners about the new possibilities offered by the Nebraska Advantage.

It also addresses the needs of communities and businesses of all sizes, from first-time entrepreneurs and innovative farmers and ranchers to major corporations and manufacturers with an eye toward new possibilities for expansion.

In recent years, Nebraska had little to offer to encourage successful companies to stay in the state, and that is why it was so important to have taken action to ensure that businesses have many reasons to be part of Nebraska’s great future.

We’ve seen new businesses and industries develop and evolve to meet the diverse needs of consumers, businesses that are at the cutting edge in their industry and have a reputation for innovation in their respective industries. The technological advances and new possibilities for trade as part of the global marketplace have created nearly limitless opportunities for businesses today. Our state is witnessing a new generation of companies developing – businesses with strong potential to become Nebraska’s future economic torchbearers.

That is why it was so important to take action and support the innovation being fostered by these companies and encourage their success and expansion, not only for the benefit of local businesses and communities, but for the benefit of our entire state. It’s key to our future success that we begin actively pursuing the tools and resources that will help encourage entrepreneurs, assist in job training, develop infrastructure, and provide investment incentives that meet the needs of growing and emerging industries.

This package was designed to create a business climate that makes our state the preferred location for starting and growing a business. My hope is that the recent tour shows companies looking to compete in this global economy that Nebraska is committed to their success.

This is truly an important moment for pursuing greater economic vitality for the state of Nebraska.

We have so much working in our favor. From vast natural resources and an agriculture industry known for producing high quality products, to strong schools providing the quality education our students need, businesses committed to innovation, and hundreds of communities that are actively involved in economic development efforts, as well as the hardest working people in this nation.

The Nebraska Advantage is a necessary tool that will help open new doors, and will directly involve our business community in the continued success of our entire state.