Nebraska is Second in Pollina's Top 10 Pro-Business States Ranking

(Lincoln, Neb.) Nebraska has been named one of America’s ten most business-friendly states for 2013 by Pollina Corporate Real Estate, Inc., a national leader in corporate site selection based in Park Ridge, Illinois. The ranking is based on independent research conducted by Pollina. Nebraska ranked second in the nation, only behind Utah. It moved up several spots from its 2012 sixth-place ranking. “Nebraskans should be very proud of their political leaders and their efforts in developing an economy that other states should envy. Job creation is obviously a top priority for Governor Heineman and the state legislature. With less than one percent of its labor force employed in agriculture, Nebraska is clearly focused on building job opportunities for all of its citizens,” said Brent Pollina, vice president of Pollina Corporate Real Estate, Inc., and co-author of the Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States study.” “Nebraska continues to move up in rankings, and we’re proud of our #2 in Pollina’s Top Ten,” said Gov. Heineman. “We still have work to do, but I am pleased with our progress.” The report gave Nebraska A’s in unemployment rate, right to work, unemployment insurance, business inventory tax, comprehensive tax-new firms, comprehensive tax-mature firms, litigation environment, transportation infrastructure, incentives (nine factors), and marketing/website/response to new and existing employers (four factors). The state received B’s in high school and college completion, and workers’ compensation. “This is a governor and legislature that ‘gets it’ and they are working hard and smart to develop an economy that will work for the benefit of all Nebraskans. Governor Heineman recognizes that in today’s highly competitive global economy state leadership must work outside of the traditional economic development box if they are to provide Nebraskans with a robust economy. He has formed an economic development team that state residents and businesses should be proud of,” said Pollina. “Pollina’s #2 ranking for Nebraska solidifies what Nebraska and Nebraskans have to offer,” said Catherine Lang, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED). “This study is well-respected among the economic development world, and Gov. Heineman, the legislature, DED, and our Nebraska communities continue to work together reviewing and upgrading the factors that make Nebraska’s pro-business climate so attractive for recruiting and retaining growing businesses.” “In terms of Stage II, Incentives and Economic Development Agency Factors, Nebraska continued its strong showing by placing #5 in this Stage, reflecting the states emphasis on providing the tools necessary for businesses to grow.  In the area of incentive programs, they performed extremely well receiving a Report Card grade of “A” and a rank of #9 in the nation.  In terms Marketing/Website/Response to new and existing employers, Nebraska also performed exceptionally receiving a grade of “A.”  The state’s economic development efforts ranked # 1 tying with Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah. Nebraska’s economic development website is among the top five in the nation,” stated Pollina.  Considered one of the most, if not the most comprehensive study of its type, the Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States annual study analyzes and identifies the most effective state governments at creating pro-business environments. The study examines 32 factors controlled by state government, including taxation, human resources, infrastructure, economic incentive programs and state economic development efforts. Since 2004, the study has been covered by The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CBS, NBC, CNN and NPR, as well as TV and radio stations, and newspapers across the nation. Several reports consider the Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States study to be the “Gold Standard” by which all states should be judged.