Business Development Field Service – Nebraska Department of Economic Development – South Central Region
About
Service Region Counties
Adams, Buffalo, Clay, Fillmore, Franklin, Greeley, Hall, Hamilton, Harlan, Howard, Kearney, Merrick, Nuckolls, Phelps, Polk, Sherman, Thayer, Valley, Webster, & York
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s (DED) Field Services Team consists of six Business Development Consultants who live and work in specific regions of Nebraska. Field Staff are DED’s first point of contact for business owners, entrepreneurs, city and village officials and local developers who play an important role in economic growth. Nebraska’s unique landscape of rural and metropolitan regions supports DED’s efforts to tailor development opportunities based on businesses’ or communities’ needs and economic goals. Establishing and building relationships with existing businesses and regional leaders are top priorities for Field Staff, who encourage state and local partnerships to assist in business and community growth.
Field Staff oversee DED’s Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program, which provides essential information about regional business climates, as well as needs and challenges within individual businesses. BRE interviews directly connect local and state economic development officials with employers to learn about a company’s workforce, efforts to attract and retain talent and potential plans for expansion. BRE’s allow Field Staff to educate business owners about Nebraska’s programs that support local development efforts, which include but are not limited to DED’s Site and Building Development Fund for business expansion projects and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) loans for economic growth. BRE’s provide opportunities to connect local employers and leaders to additional development resources through DED and agencies across Nebraska.
Field Staff also provide guidance to businesses about Nebraska’s tax incentives program, the ImagiNE Nebraska Act. ImagiNE provides sale and use, personal, property and income tax incentives for qualifying businesses which meet specific employment and investment requirements. ImagiNE replaced the Nebraska Advantage Act in 2021 and requires businesses to apply for incentives through DED.
Field Staff also provide access to DED housing and community development programs, including Nebraska’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Rural Workforce Housing Fund, Middle Income Workforce Housing Fund, National Housing Trust Fund and HOME Investment Partnerships Fund. They connect businesses and communities to opportunities for additional CDBG funding, which is available for owner occupied rehabilitation housing assistance. CDBG also supports Downtown Revitalization, Public Works and Emergent Threat funding, which addresses infrastructure needs in situations that threaten public health, safety or welfare. CDBG’s Planning fund offers studies, data gathering and analysis to help a community prepare for future development.
Field Staff lead several DED programs that encourage ongoing growth in cities and villages across the state. Nebraska’s Economic Development Certified Community (EDCC) Program recognizes cities for preparedness in business attraction, business expansion, workforce development, strategic planning and marketing efforts. DED’s Leadership Certified Community (LCC) Program honors villages for efforts in overall community development. In addition, Field Staff educate leaders about Nebraska’s Local Option Municipal Economic Development Tax (LB840), which authorizes incorporated cities and villages to collect and appropriate local tax dollars for economic development purposes.
Services Provided
Public Policy and Government Relations
- Nebraska Business Issues
Business Planning
- Demographic/Census Data
Management Issues
- Recruiting Assistance
Financial Resources and Assistance
- Tax Credits
- Obtaining Government Funding
- Loan Providers
Libraries and Research Organizations
- Business Research Resources
- Demographic/Census Data
Marketing/Sales
- Demographics/Census Data
- Competitive Analysis
Economic and Site Development
- Site Location Assistance
- Tax Credits
- Revitalization
- Economic Forecast
Tax Services
- State Tax Credit Information
Human Resources
- Retention
- Workforce Incentives
Starting a Business
- Business Research Resources
- Site Location
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