Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — In recent years, Nebraska has nurtured a dynamic economy that has transformed our state into a top destination for business investment.
As business leaders in the Kearney region and beyond continue to create jobs and elevate Nebraskans’ standard of living, it is important we recognize and strengthen the pillars of this economic growth. Two of those pillars are Nebraska’s energy strategy and embrace of technological innovation, and they have worked hand in hand to deliver prosperity across the Cornhusker State.
To illustrate this point, one need not look further than Nebraska’s burgeoning data center industry. These facilities power critical technologies from cloud computing to artificial intelligence (AI), which are increasingly relied upon by the entire Nebraska economy, including our agriculture, transportation, and health sectors right here in Central Nebraska. Policymakers at all levels of government understand the role these technologies–and the data centers that enable them–are playing in efforts to bolster our economic and national security. President Trump has made it a top priority for the U.S. to lead on AI, and recent revelations about China’s technological capabilities have only heightened the urgency.
As the demand for data processing grows, so too does the need for reliable and affordable power to run these operations. Fortunately, Nebraska has taken responsible steps over the years to lower energy prices and improve its electrical grid. The state’s diverse energy mix makes it a prime location for companies looking to build or expand industrial firms including data centers. Nebraska’s energy and tech infrastructure provide the tools and reliability that businesses depend on to stay competitive in a digital world–a boon to our local communities as companies choose our state for their new and growing facilities.
It is essential that Nebraska’s elected leaders build on this competitive advantage. We must avoid measures that would deter investment in our tech infrastructure and push data centers–and the companies that locate nearby–to neighboring states. At the same time we should be advancing policies that grow our state’s supply of affordable energy resources to power our industrial economy and keep prices manageable for Nebraska families. Governor Pillen has worked hard to spur economic growth in the state, working with the Trump administration to cut red tape, strengthen America’s energy independence, and ensure we stay ahead of China on the development of critical technologies.
As a result, Nebraska’s economy has consistently outperformed the rest of the country, anchored by strength in the manufacturing sector, particularly in agricultural products. This trend has had positive ripple effects across the economy, including our construction industry that has benefited from demand for industrial space and transportation and logistics firms that get Nebraska-made goods to where they need to go. All of these industries have gained from the cheap energy and technological advancements enabled by forward-looking policies and private sector ingenuity.
For those of us who have dedicated our careers to advocating for local Nebraska communities and championing pro-growth policies, it has been amazing to watch our state’s economic success unfold. We must not take game-changing investments, ribbon cuttings, and job announcements for granted. Instead, we should recommit ourselves to fostering a business environment that makes these moments possible.
