Heath Mello, president & CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber, testified before the Nebraska Legislature’s Revenue Committee today in support of LB 1165, the Grow the Good Life Act — a proposal to strengthen Nebraska’s existing economic development tools, enhance performance-based incentives under the ImagiNE Nebraska Act, and establish a targeted headquarters retention and recruitment strategy.
LB 1165 enhances wage and investment credits within existing tiers of ImagiNE Nebraska, adds a one percent bonus credit for jobs filled by new-to-Nebraska residents, continues and modernizes a key employer retention tool tied to mergers and acquisitions and creates a relocation and recruitment grant program administered by the Department of Labor. The bill also expands allowable uses of an existing economic development fund to support capital improvements at qualified headquarters operations.
“LB1165 is our top priority this session because Nebraska faces a simple truth: we are in a tough national competition for jobs and talent, and attracting and keeping skilled workers is the key to our economic future,” Mello said. “Let me be absolutely clear: programs like these have consistently helped grow Nebraska’s tax base and delivered real returns to our taxpayers. The facts speak for themselves—companies are required to meet strict, transparent benchmarks before they receive any incentives. So, when critics suggest there is a lack of accountability, they simply are not describing the reality.”
The proposal also aligns with findings from the chamber’s recently released Brain Drain and Perception Study, which identified a need for stronger growth in higher-wage employment to retain and attract talent.
Mello concluded by emphasizing the opportunity before the state:
“Right now, Nebraska has a rare chance to bring in more high-paying, primary jobs than we have seen in decades. LB1165 is the tool we need to seize this moment: helping us grow our state, strengthen our economy and create new opportunities for future generations.”