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Blueprint Nebraska - State lags in innovation but has advantages in other areas
McCOOK, Neb. — Nebraska needs to improve broadband access and find ways to attract and keep young people, but has advantages over other states when it comes to work ethic, location and available resources, local business leaders were told Friday.
Those were some of the challenges and opportunities facing Nebraska according to the “Blueprint Nebraska” presented Friday at Valmont by Kristen Hassebrook, Executive Vice President for Legislation and Policy with the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The broad-based plan is privately funded and developed by business, industry and civic leaders, creating a strategic plan to grow and sustain Nebraska. It takes into consideration all aspects of the state, with the goal of “what will grow the economy, of what will grow the whole pie,” Hassebrook said.
Data for the Blueprint Nebraska report was culled from a number of sources including thousands of online surveys and input from residents across the state. Along with identifying challenges, it’s a long-range strategic plan with specific initiatives and goals.
Challenges identified in the report included that Nebraska has one of the lowest startup densities in the nation and difficulty in attracting and retaining youth, ranking 39 among all states. In 2016, Nebraska lost about 3,300 residents to other states.
In addition, Nebraska has not kept pace with peer states on innovation and technology, according to the report. A strong labor market with STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) expertise is often a leading indication of innovation, but STEM graduates in Nebraska universities were low, ranking at 36. The state ranked 35 in new entreupreneurs.
But, Nebraska’s assets includes its people: a great work ethic, strong communities and a strong educational emphasis. There is also an abundance of land, unmatched natural resources, a productive ag economy and its central location. Located in the center of the nation, Nebraska is ideal for distribution and warehousing, as it’s only a two-day drive to either coast.
Initiatives identified included jobs, quality of life, retaining/growing the population of 18-34, income, and research and development. Sectors identified as innovation potential are those in manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and agriculture.
Those attending the presentation Friday included Brian Esch of MNB, who said “hitting a home run” like landing a major manufacturing plant are great, but something that can’t be counted on. Instead, incentives were needed to grow what’s in place now and “investing in ourselves.” Esch said he’s been a longtime proponent of career pathways at the schools, that includes partnering with local businesses and that no one knows how to grow McCook better than the people here.
Others attending the presentation were representatives of McCook’s manufacturing sector, including those from Valmont and Parker Hannifin, who cited the lack of executive housing in the area.
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Four initiatives stated in Blueprint Nebraska report are:
1. Diversify, expand, and improve the productivity of Nebraska’s agri-business cluster (e.g., ag-tech, food manufacturing, and machinery industries) to increase demand for production and to create additional global leadership in value-added, 21st-century agriculture. This initiative will require investing in bio-based manufacturing, promoting research partnerships, and providing support services to stimulate investment.
2. Build a pipeline of founders in tech sectors linked to Nebraska’s core industries — med-tech, ed-tech, design-tech, fin-tech and insure-tech, ag-tech, and transportation and logistics technologies — creating the Midwest’s leading tech cluster of R&D and innovation. This initiative will require building entrepreneurship zones and innovation hubs to attract investment (e.g., R&D and venture capital) and a tech cluster that will promote local entrepreneurship.
3. Create a multi-partner manufacturing innovation center of excellence, focused on Industry 4.0/automation, to make Nebraska the Midwest leader in next-generation manufacturing. This initiative will require launching a venture capital investment fund, creating productivity incentives, and providing resources and technical support (e.g., infrastructure and training) to boost the adoption of advanced manufacturing technology.
4. Develop fin-tech, banking, and insure-tech partnerships that will strengthen and diversify the financial services cluster, making Nebraska the Midwest leader in financial innovation. This initiative will require attracting emerging companies in the space and fin-tech talent, and creating the right environment for the partnerships to flourish (e.g., collaboration spaces).