Table of Contents

6 Welcome

8 Membership

9 Cornerstone Members

12 Calendar of Events

16 Strong Leaders

20 Thriving Sectors

22 Workforce

24 Growing Productivity

30 Driving Innovation

34 Preferred Business Listings

35 NE Chamber Member Directory

ADVERTISER INDEX

Aksarben Foundation 23

Allo Communications, LLC 11

Americom Communications 28

Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. 29

Ash Grove Cement Company 28

Assurity Life Insurance Company 27

BD Construction, Inc./Kearney 32

Beckenhauer Construction, Inc. 26

Behlen Mfg. Co. 5

Boys Town 19

CFO Systems LLC 14

CHI Health C/O Walz Tetrick Advertising 5

Doane University 14

Edwards, Westerhold, Moore 29

Five Points Bank 32

General Dynamics 26

Great Plains Communications 7

Hamilton Telecommunications 10,34

Hexagon Agility 2

Hotsy Equipment Co. 34

HUB International Great Plains 14

Ideal Linen and Uniform Supply 6

LI-COR, Inc. 9

LifeServe Blood Center 6

Lincoln Electric System 33

Max I. Walker Uniform Rental Service 29

Nebraska Medical Association 34

Nebraska Rural Electric Association 10

Novozymes Blair, Inc. 28

Outlook Nebraska 3

Ponca Tribe of Nebraska 27

Sarpy County Tourism 4

South Central Public Power District 34

Stanton County Public Power District 34

Streck, Inc. 28

Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. 34

Town Square Publications 29

Tran-Tec LLC 34

Tri-V Tool & Mfg. Co. 32,34

Washington County Chamber
of Commerce 26

Wayne State College 15

York County Development Corporation 34

Membership

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 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 subsequently 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 only statewide, broad-based business and industry association focused on expanding economic opportunities for all Nebraskans. It is affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.

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.

Cornerstone Members

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.

Chamber Events

Annual Meeting & Luncheon
Thursday, January 30
Cornhusker Marriott, Lincoln

Nebraska Business Hall of Fame
Thursday, January 30
Cornhusker Marriott, Lincoln

Legislative Leaders
Tuesday, March 25
Cornhusker Marriott, Lincoln

Cornerstone Dinner
Thursday, May 22
Country Club of Lincoln, Lincoln

Manufacturing
Nebraska’s Future
May 2025
Lincoln

Washington D.C. Fly-In
Spring 2025
Washington D.C.

Federal Legislative Summit
August 2025
Ashland

Chamber Cup -
NE Chamber Foundation
Thursday, August 21
Quarry Oaks, Ashland

Cornerstone Dinner
Thursday, August 28
Lincoln

Economic Development Summit
Fall 2025
Lincoln

Tech Nebraska Summit
Fall 2025
Lincoln

Manufacturing Summit
October 2025
La Vista

Nebraska Chamber Foundation

The Nebraska Chamber Foundation’s work focuses on key economic issues that will limit or grow our state’s economy depending on our ability to take action. We need to be consistently aware of economic headwinds and tailwinds – staying aware of changing demographics, talent supply, housing trends, technology and innovation developments, and other key metrics that fuel Nebraska’s growth trajectory.

Our focus is to make Nebraska a top competitive state by investing in the latest nonpartisan research and data on leading issues. Ensuring our efforts are driven by fact and informed by data is key. Our reports equip and empower informed decisions about top priorities to guide communities in the right direction on the road to growth.

Research Reports - by the
NE Chamber Foundation

The NE Chamber Foundation’s latest research study, Nebraska’s Energy Future, focuses on consumer and industry demand for power in a technology driven world. The study highlights Nebraska’s solid starting position in the industry, broad support for our power producers and distributors that will become vital, and Energy 101 insight.

Our inaugural studies in early 2024 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. They 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. It is our hope that Nebraska leaders will collaboratively leverage the data found in these studies to find regional and statewide solutions to ensure that we strengthen and grow our economy for years to come.

All Nebraska Chamber Foundation studies can be found at nechamber.com/foundation.

“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

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

2024 Foundation Investors:

21st Century Equipment

Adams Land & Cattle

Archer Daniel Midland

Assurity

Baird Holm LLP

Baxter

Bison

Black Hills Energy

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska

CLAAS

Collins Aerospace

Cox Communications

Deloitte

Duncan Aviation

Farmers Mutual

FNBO

Frontier Bank

Google

Hamilton Telecommunications

Kawasaki

Kiewit

KPMG

Lincoln Electric System

Lincoln Industries

Lozier Corporation

Lutz

Meta

Millard Lumber

Monolith

NEBCO

Nebraska Public Power Association

Nebraska Public Power District

Nebraska Rural Electric Association

Nelnet

NextEra Energy

NRC Health

Nucor

OPPD

Physicians Mutual

Pinnacle Bank

Reinke Manufacturing

Renewable Fuels of Nebraska

Sampson Construction

Sandhills Energy

Tallgrass

Tenaska

TMCO

UNICO

Union Pacific

Valmont

Vulcraft

Wells Fargo

Westin Foods

Donate to Nebraska’s Future

The Nebraska Chamber Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions support our research efforts. We also award several $2,500 tuition scholarships annually for qualifying college students in any of Nebraska’s colleges each year. If you would like to invest in the Foundation in either of these ways, please contact Tera Norris, Foundation President, [email protected].

The NE Chamber Foundation’s cornerstone program, Leadership Nebraska, is now in its 17th year of developing leaders who are committed to gaining a deeper understanding of Nebraska’s most critical issues. The program equips participants with advanced problem-solving strategies, leadership skills, and pathways to greater responsibility in both their professional and civic lives. With nearly 390 alumni spread across the state—many of whom have gone on to serve as elected officials or hold key leadership positions—Leadership Nebraska continues to have a lasting impact on the growth and development of leaders dedicated to shaping Nebraska’s future.

“Leadership Nebraska provides an unmatched opportunity for individuals to not only expand their understanding of Nebraska’s most pressing challenges, but also to build strong, lasting connections with leaders from across the state. Our alumni are a testament to the program’s impact, stepping into influential roles and making a difference in their communities.”

Tara Lea
VP of Community Affairs

Thriving Sectors

The NE Chamber is where business and industry leaders collaborate to make Nebraska the best place to own, operate and grow a business. Together, we’ve remained steadfast in advocating for, and advancing, pro-growth policies that will move the needle for Nebraska.

In 2024, we championed investments in business innovation, workforce development efforts, accessible and affordable childcare, and sustainable tax relief.

Further, the NE Chamber played a significant role in building a diverse, bipartisan coalition calling for robust, federal legal immigration reform: this past summer, the Nebraska Alliance for Thriving Communities publicly unveiled its principles and mission.

Strategic Headway for Nebraska

For Nebraska to grow despite generational demographic challenges, policymakers must be focused on making long-term investments in the state’s people and core industries. These decisions take foresight and discipline, and they require significant input from a broad range of stakeholders. In 2025, the NE Chamber will continue the work of gathering this diversity of stakeholders to tackle the state’s biggest challenges.

NEBRASKA RANKINGS

Best States Rankings #3
U.S. News & World Report

Best State for Business #11
Forbes

Transportation Infrastructure #7
U.S. News & World Report

Higher Education #10
U.S. News & World Report

Unemployment Rate #5
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Energy Infrastructure #5
U.S. News & World Report

Cost of Living #7
World Population Review

Internet Access #8
U.S. News & World Report

Affordability #12
U.S. News & World Report

How Nebraska Ranks for Business

Nebraska ranks #3 in U.S. News’ “Best States 2024” report, climbing one spot from 2023. The Cornhusker State excels with a #3 ranking for Fiscal Stability and #4 for Infrastructure, securing its place among the top 5 states overall. Nebraska also has high scores in Natural Environment and Education, ranking in the top 25 across all eight categories.

Workforce

Through October, Nebraska’s labor force participation rate averaged out at 68.56% and unemployment was just under 2.7%. Both figures surpass national averages, reflecting Nebraskans’ strong work ethic and commitment to driving economic growth.

While Nebraska’s workforce is strong, making improvements is always at the top of mind. Investing in workforce development is essential to remaining a competitive state. In 2024, Nebraska advanced these efforts through recruitment and retention grants, career scholarships and expanded career and technical education programs. These initiatives lay the foundation for a stronger economy, as a robust workforce is key to sustainable growth.

The NE Chamber has championed workforce development by advocating for solutions like affordable housing, quality childcare, legal immigration, increased college and university enrollments, and strategic incentives. Together, these efforts ensure Nebraska remains a top destination for talent and opportunity.

For a detailed chart on the state’s labor force participation rate, visit here.

Growing Productivity

As Nebraska industries continue to see tight labor markets, the rise of automation and innovative technologies offers exceptional growth potential for Nebraska’s key industries. Automation and advanced manufacturing practices can unlock productivity, improve worker retention and satisfaction, and have been shown to increase wages and hiring over time.

MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing contributes over $21 billion to Nebraska’s GDP annually, growing over 10% in 2023 vs. 2022 and over 64% in 2023 vs. the prior 10 years. According to data from the Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis and reported by Nebraska’s Department of Labor, Manufacturing is the second-largest industry sector in our state by GDP, behind only the Finance and Insurance sector, which itself has more than doubled in the last 10 years. 

There are over 109,000 Nebraskans employed in manufacturing statewide, representing over 10% of the state’s nonfarm employment. Unsurprisingly Food and Beverage manufacturing make up the largest sub-sector of Nebraska’s manufacturing GDP and is the largest driver of Nebraska’s exports by GDP. Food and Beverage manufacturing make up over 35% of our state’s manufacturing GDP. This tie to Nebraska’s robust Agricultural sector highlights the symbiotic relationship between Manufacturing and Agriculture and is evident across Nebraska.

Manufacturing is good for Nebraska’s Agricultural sector and statewide communities. Manufacturing boasts the largest economic multiplier factor of any industry sector. Where there is manufacturing activity, other sectors benefit. 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. These groups convened in recognition that Manufacturing industry growth in Nebraska is good for our state, our communities, and those who work in Manufacturing – today and in the future, and that supporting our industry is best done by working together. The Manufacturing Alliance is made up of:

• 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 with one in four jobs being tied to agriculture.  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.

The NE Chamber celebrated Valley Irrigation’s Center Pivot as the 2024 Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska. Valley Irrigation exemplifies the relationship between agriculture and business that exists in Nebraska.

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.

MAKE YOUR MARK

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

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.

Driving Innovation

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.

•  Tech Nebraska

•  UNL x SkillStorm

•  internNE

•  Nebraska Tech Collaborative Dashboard

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, and 35th in the nation for our concentration of tech workforce.

•  49,000+
Nebraskans who work in tech-related occupations, from computer programming to engineering services

•  $19.73 Billion
Economic output contributed by Nebraska’s tech industry

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,
[email protected], to learn more about membership and leadership opportunities.

“Tech Nebraska is excited about the momentum we’re seeing in Nebraska in the technology and innovation sector. With the adoption of emerging technologies like AI, expanded STEM education, and engagement from our state’s top technology leaders in policy discussions, Nebraska is well positioned to become one of the top technology leaders in the coming years.”

Laurel Oetken
Executive Director, Tech Nebraska