Welcome

Membership

Cornerstone Members

Calendar of Events

Strong Leaders

Thriving Sectors

Workforce

Growing Productivity

Driving Innovation

NE Chamber Members by Category

NE Chamber Members By City

Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry

1128 Lincoln Mall, Suite 302

Lincoln, NE 68508

(402) 474-4422 | www.nechamber.com

BUILDING OUR LEGACY

Cornerstone members build the legacy and impact of the NE Chamber by committing to annual investments of $5,000 or more. More than 100 members participate in the program, helping enhance and expand services to all members.

Participants receive additional benefits, including annual dinners with the governor and legislative leadership, individual meetings with state senators and complimentary tickets and promotions.

To learn more, contact James Berringer, Senior Vice President of Membership & Marketing, at (402) 474-4717 or jberringer@nechamber.com or visit nechamber.com.

Members are passionate about OUR mission to:

❚  Keep Nebraska business and industry competitive.

❚  Expand Nebraska businesses and workforce.

❚  Strengthen our communities.

❚ Grow our economy.

WHY JOIN?

❚  Results-driven advocacy at the Nebraska State Capitol and in Washington, D.C.

❚  A professional peer network to collaborate, share ideas and build clientele.

❚  Leadership development opportunities.

❚   Long-term reputational value as a member of Nebraska’s leading business and industry association.

❚   Champions for economic growth in our communities.

WHO WE ARE

We are where business leaders gather to make Nebraska the best place to own, operate and grow a business. We are the largest broad-based business association in Nebraska, with a thousand members in all corners of the state.

WHAT WE DO

We deliver economic and workforce growth, a competitive business climate and a network of leaders with the connections and know-how to help your business succeed.

HOW WE SUCCEED

Our activist members drive our results. Bold leadership, relentless advocacy and statewide engagement make us successful.

HISTORY

The NE Chamber dates back to Nov. 14, 1912, when business executives met at the former Rome Hotel in Omaha and founded the Nebraska Manufacturers Association. In 1937, the organization’s membership was broadened to other sectors as the Associated Industries of Nebraska (AIN).

In 1960, AIN helped organize the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce. The two groups later merged to become the Nebraska Association of Commerce & Industry. In 1988, at the organization’s 76th annual meeting, members ratified a name change to the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, clarifying its role as a chamber of commerce while upholding its roots and strong ties to the manufacturing sector.

Today, the NE Chamber is the preeminent advocate for Nebraska’s strong, growing and diverse community of businesses and industries. It is affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.

21st Century Equipment LLC

Aflac

Ag Processing Inc.

Altria Client Services Inc

Amazon

Americom Communications

Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.

Archer Daniels Midland Company

Ash Grove Cement Company

Assurity

Baird Holm LLP

BD Medical Surgical Systems

Behlen Mfg. Co.

Bison Inc.

Black Hills Energy

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Nebraska

BNSF Railway

Boys Town National Research Hospital

Bryan Health

Cargill, Incorporated

Cash-Wa Distributing Company

Charter Communications

CHI Health

Chief Industries, Inc.

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

CNH Industrial

Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce

Consolidated Companies, Inc.

Continental ContiTech - Lincoln

Continental ContiTech - Norfolk

Cornerstone Bank

Cox Communications

Crete Carrier Corporation

Dinkel Implement Co.

Duncan Aviation, Inc.

embecta

Enbridge Energy

Endicott Clay Products Company

Enel Green Power North America, Inc.

Exmark Manufacturing Company Inc.

Family Hospital Systems

Farm Credit Services of America

Farmers Mutual of Nebraska

Firespring

Flood Communications, LLC

FNBO

Garner Industries

Google

Great Plains Communications

Hamilton Telecommunications

Hawkins Construction Company

HDR

Hexagon Agility

Ho-Chunk, Inc.

Home Instead Senior Care

HUB International Great Plains

Husch Blackwell LLP

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Invenergy

Kawasaki

Kiewit Corporation

Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC

Leadership Resources

LifeServe Blood Center

Lincoln Electric System

Lincoln Industries

Lincoln Premium Poultry

Lindsay Corporation

LinkedIn Corporation

Lozier Corporation

Lumen

Lutz

Medica

Merck Animal Health

Meta Platforms, Inc.

Metalworks Inc.

Midway Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram

Millard Lumber Inc.

Mutual of Omaha-United of Omaha

NEBCO, Inc.

Nebraska Public Power District

Nebraska Rural Electric Association

Nebraska Total Care

Nelnet

Neogen’s Geneseek Business

NextEra Energy Resources, LLC

Nomi Health

North Central Public Power District

NorthWestern Energy

Novozymes Blair Inc.

NUCOR Steel, Div. of NUCOR Corporation

Olsson

Omaha Public Power District

Pacific Life Insurance Company

Parker Filtration Group, Engine Mobile Aftermarket Division

Parker Hannifin

Pinnacle Bank

Ponca Tribe of Nebraska

RAI Services Company Inc.

Reinke Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Rembolt Ludtke LLP

Rensenhouse

RSM US LLP

Sampson Construction

Sandoz Inc.

Saturn’s Lens

Schneider Electric

Signature Performance, Inc.

Smithfield Foods, Inc.

State Farm Insurance

Summit Carbon Solutions

Tallgrass Energy

TC Energy

Tenaska, Inc.

TMCO Inc.

Tyson Foods, Inc.

U.S. Bank

UNICO Group, Inc.

Union Pacific

United Parcel Service - Corporate

University of Nebraska Lincoln - Athletic Department

University of Nebraska System

Valmont Industries, Inc.

Verizon

Vulcraft Nebraska/Nucor Cold Finish Nebraska/Nucor Detailing Center

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

Western Sugar Cooperative

Windstream

WoodmenLife

Wortman Enterprises

April 23

Cornerstone Dinner

Country Club of Lincoln

May*

D.C. Fly-In

Washington D.C.

May 16

Manufacturing Nebraska’s Future Tech
Summit & Expo

Columbus

August 8*

Federal Legislative Summit

SAC Museum

August 15

NE Chamber Foundation Golf Tournament

Quarry Oaks Golf Club

August 21-23

Leadership Nebraska Orientation

Nebraska City

September 11

Economic Development Summit

Embassy Suites - Lincoln

September 12

NE Chamber Board Meeting

Duncan Aviation

October 2-3

Policy Councils

NE Chamber

October 16-18

Leadership Nebraska – Omaha Session

Omaha

October 29

NE Chamber Manufacturing Summit

La Vista Conference Center

November 7*

Tech Nebraska Summit

November 13*

Lincoln Legislative Forum

Country Club of Lincoln

November 20*

Omaha Legislative Forum

*subject to change

The NE Chamber Foundation directs and finances nonpartisan economic research to help inform policymakers and identify emerging business and industry trends. We also ensure the longevity and success of Leadership Nebraska and the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame College Scholarship Program.

Focus Areas

❚  Leadership Nebraska, the state’s premier civic leadership development program

❚  Educational scholarships in business-related fields

❚  Nonpartisan Research & Data

❚  Workforce and Economic Dashboard

DONATE

The NE Chamber Foundation needs your help to secure Nebraska’s future. Be a leader in change. Invest today.

“The NE Chamber Foundation is focused on the future of Nebraska’s economy. We provide the intellectual ammunition through data and research to aid the NE Chamber team in creating policy and programs that will grow our state’s economy now and into the future.”

Tera Norris
NE Chamber Foundation President

The 2024 NE Chamber Foundation studies set the stage for where Nebraska’s economy stands, and they provide data and analysis that will help Nebraska lead the effort to strengthen our economy in their own communities and regions. These studies can be found at nechamber.com/research-reports and include:

• Nebraska Economic Competitiveness Assessment – measures Nebraska’s economic standing with peer states

• Nebraska Manufacturing Competitiveness – provides an industry breakdown of one of Nebraska’s top performing industries

• Immigration and America’s Workforce Shortage: A Nebraska Challenge in Need of a National Solution – defines Nebraska’s workforce shortage and outlines the opportunities posed by legal immigration reform

We’re immensely grateful for our Foundation Investors whose support has propelled our research forward and will continue to help shape a brighter future.

2023 Foundation Investors:

21st Century Equipment LLC

Adams Land & Cattle

Assurity

Baird Holm LLP

Bison, Inc.

Black Hills Energy

BNSF Railway

Chief Industries, Inc.

CHI Health

CLAAS Omaha LLC

Collins Aerospace

Cox Communications

Deloitte

Dinkel Implement Co.

Duncan Aviation, Inc.

Endicott Clay Products Company

Farmers Mutual of Nebraska

FNBO

Frontier Bank

Google

Hamilton Telecommunications

Hexagon Agility

INSPRO, a Marsh & McLennan Agency

Kawasaki

Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A.

KPMG

Lincoln Industries

Lozier Corporation

Lutz

MetalQuest

Millard Lumber, Inc.

NEBCO, Inc.

Nelnet

NRC Health

NUCOR Steel

OPPD

Parker Hannifin

RSM US LLP

Pinnacle Bank

Tenaska, Inc.

Royal Engineered Composites

RSM

Sampson Construction

Smith Schafer Davis Gaertig LCC / Premier Chevy GMC Buick

UNICO Group, Inc.

Union Pacific

Valmont Industries, Inc.

Windstream

The NE Chamber Foundation’s cornerstone program, Leadership Nebraska, is in its 16th year of developing leaders who wish to gain more in-depth knowledge about Nebraska issues, define problems, develop solutions and achieve positions of higher responsibility. Alumni now total about 360 across Nebraska, including several who hold elected offices. Members are encouraged to nominate and sponsor these driven individuals.

APPLY TODAY

Leadershipnebraska.com

Contact:
Tara Lea
Director, Leadership Nebraska Foundation
(402) 480-6918
tlea@nechamber.com

“In the midst of addressing challenging issues throughout our state, the significance of a robust network of leaders is paramount. Leadership Nebraska is dedicated to providing the exposure and training needed to secure a bright and promising future for Nebraska.”

Tara Lea
Leadership Nebraska Director

The NE Chamber is where business and industry leaders gather to make Nebraska the best place to own, operate and grow a business. For the past five years, we’ve been taking our shared vision to the next level.

Throughout 2023, the NE Chamber championed workforce development, tax modernization and utilized the state’s ability to innovate to continue accelerating our state in years to come.

Prioritizing innovation proved to be a vital part of the NE Chamber’s plan to Accelerate our State. $25 million in childcare tax credits and $10 million in workforce development grants were approved. The state also saw transformational tax relief in individual, property, sales and corporate income tax, totaling $21.2 billion by 2029. Income tax rates will also decrease to 3.99% by 2027, nearly cut in half from 2023 rates.

Accelerate Our State Priorities

Nebraska’s ability to innovate will continue to drive growth and advancement for communities across the state, benefiting the entire state economy.

The NE Chamber continues to push to accelerate our state focusing on three main priorities:

• solving workforce needs

• inspiring innovation

• modernizing taxes

Learn more about the impact these priorities have on Nebraska at nechamber.com/priorities-2023.html.

HOW NEBRASKA RANKS FOR BUSINESS

Nebraska ranks #4 in U.S. News’ “Best States 2023” report, jumping two spots from sixth place in 2021. The Cornhusker state came in at #5 in infrastructure and #7 in education, contributing to the top five overall score. The state also ranks high for economy, fiscal stability and natural environment.

NEBRASKA RANKINGS

Best States Rankings #4
U.S. News & World Report

Best State for Business #11
Forbes

Transportation Infrastructure #9
U.S. News & World Report

Long-term Fiscal Stability #14
U.S. News & World Report

Quality Education #7
U.S. News & World Report

Quality Higher Education #11
U.S. News & World Report

Quality Pre-K-12 Education #11
U.S. News & World Report

Low Unemployment #6
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Cost of Living #11
Missouri Economic Research and Information Center

Best Public Schools #8
World Population Review

SAT Scores #2
World Population Review

In the first half of 2023, Nebraskans’ strong work ethic was proven through a consistent 69.5% labor force participation rate, nearly 7 points higher than the U.S.’s July average. The state’s unemployment rate was also above average compared to the U.S., sitting at 2% as of August 2023, the lowest Nebraska has ever seen.

Workforce has remained a priority in Nebraska, even though it typically sits above the national average. In the past year, $55 million was committed to workforce development through recruitment and retention grants, career scholarships and career and technical education. By investing in our workforce, we’re investing in the future of Nebraska.

The NE Chamber has led numerous workforce efforts, including advocating for affordable housing, quality childcare, legal immigration, increased college and university enrollments, and incentives.

Nebraska’s agriculture, transportation, warehousing and utilities sectors have been outperforming peer states in productivity. The rise of automation and innovative technologies offers exceptional growth potential for Nebraska’s key industries.

MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing contributes $19.1 million to Nebraska’s GDP annually. The National Association of Manufacturers estimates the industry’s output in Nebraska has increased almost 40% from 2011-2021.

There are over 100,000 Nebraskans employed in manufacturing, nearly 10% of the state’s nonfarm employment. Some of the state’s top manufacturing sectors include motor vehicle and part manufacturing, chemical manufacturing and machinery manufacturing.

Nebraska’s highly productive workforce, low cost of doing business and high-quality transportation networks make the state a natural fit for manufacturing growth.

Starting in 2020, the NE Chamber has led efforts to coordinate the work of manufacturing groups focused on growing manufacturing and STEM workforce in Nebraska.

❚  Nebraska Manufacturing Advisory Council (NeMAC)

❚ Nebraska Advanced Manufacturing

Coalition (NAMC)

❚ Nebraska Manufacturing Extension

Partnership (Nebraska MEP) at the

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

❚ Women in Manufacturing – Nebraska

Chapter

❚ NE Chamber, Nebraska’s National

Association of Manufacturers affiliate

AGRICULTURE & business

Nebraska is a national and global leader in agriculture. One in four jobs are tied to farming and ranching. Biotechnology and value-added agriculture, including renewable fuels, automation and international trade, present the greatest opportunities for growth. The state’s agribusiness cluster (ag-tech, food manufacturing and machinery industries) is highly sophisticated, efficient and well-positioned to help meet evolving agricultural demands.

NEBRASKA AGRICULTURE FACTS (2020)

Economic Impact:
$14.6 billion (Q1 2022)

Total of U.S. GDP: 5.8%

Exports: $7.1 billion

TRANSPORTATion
& Logistics

Nebraska is a centrally located transportation hub for the nation, with both coasts reachable in just two days by truck or train. The Cornhusker State is also home to Bailey Yard, the world’s largest railroad classification yard.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics found that Nebraska has the fifth best road conditions in the U.S. With no inventory tax, Nebraska promotes a strong warehousing and logistics sector, with 11,500 trucking companies and two in the top 10 nationally, according to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

ACCELERATE OUR

STATE

The NE Chamber worked with a coalition of local chambers and economic developers to amp up public and private physical infrastructure investments.

The NE Chamber supported grant funding that will incentivize precision ag connectivity, sustainability, traceability and autonomy. Advancements were also made toward transportation and water infrastructure that will foster growth and benefit the statewide economy.

Did you know?

❚  Broadband access can generate 1.21% GDP growth for every 10% increase in access, according to World Bank.

❚  $100 billion in infrastructure boosts job growth by 1 million, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

MAKE YOUR MARK

Join a NE Chamber Council for your sector to discuss emerging trends and recommend policy positions to the Board of Directors. Open to all members. Learn more at nechamber.com under “Advocate.”

Nebraska is home to a strong base of financial and insurance companies propelled by technological advances. As a matter of fact, Omaha is ranked among the top five most promising fintech hubs in the nation. That foundation, in addition to a seventh-ranked higher education system delivering graduates into the sector, has ignited a new entrepreneurial and innovative energy in urban and rural areas. Dubbed the “Silicon Prairie” by a number of tech and entrepreneurial trade publications, the Lincoln-to-Omaha corridor is becoming well known for its access to capital and economic support structure.

Building for Tomorrow

It’s no secret that Nebraska’s tech workforce is making significant strides. In 2021, the state boasted over 60,000 tech employees, amounting to nearly 6% of the state’s workforce. Recognizing this growth, several organizations have launched unique initiatives aimed at keeping pace with industry expansion and strengthening the talent pipeline to tech careers.

❚  UNL x SkillStorm

❚  internNE

❚  Nebraska Tech Collaborative Dashboard

❚  Tech Nebraska

How Nebraska Stacks Up

Nebraska needs to continue to grow a thriving technology sector to drive its economy, compete for top talent and prepare to solve the challenges of tomorrow.

❚  Top 40
Nebraska ranks 3rd in new entrepreneurs, 36th in STEM university graduates, 39th in startup density among all states and 35th in the nation for our concentration of tech workforce.

❚  52,000+
Average number of employees working in technology in Nebraska.

❚  $4.5 Million
The average GDP Nebraska outputs from the information technology sector each year.

TECH NEBRASKA

Tech Nebraska, formed in 2023 in partnership with the NE Chamber, aims to foster an innovative, diverse technology workforce across the state. By advocating for pro-growth, tech-focused public policies, Tech Nebraska is determined to strengthen and unite the state’s tech sector.

GET INVOLVED

We’re looking for technology leaders and enthusiasts across all sectors to join our coalition and help us build Tech Nebraska. Please reach out to Executive Director Laurel Oetken, loetken@nechamber.com, to learn more about membership and leadership opportunities.

“Tech Nebraska is incredibly excited about the momentum we’re seeing in Nebraska in technology and innovation. Adoption of emerging technologies, education and more from our state’s technology leaders in all sectors and types of organizations is key.”

Laurel Oetken
Tech Nebraska Executive Director

MAKE YOUR MARK

Join a NE Chamber Council to discuss emerging trends and recommend policy positions to the Board of Directors. Open to all members. Learn more at nechamber.com.