Nebraska’s many qualities make it an attractive place to live, work, raise a family and grow a business. It balances and blends economic opportunity with enjoyable lifestyle choices. Some positive attributes include minimal commute times; low crime rates; low pollution ratings and high quality air and drinking water; wide-educational and life-long learning opportunities; abundant natural, recreational and arts amenities; and so much more.

Forbes has ranked Nebraska as the 3rd “Best State for Business” in 2015, and CNBC has ranked the state 4^th “Top State for Business” in 2014.

Other rankings that recognise Nebraska as a great place for working and living. The Pollina Corporate 2014 Real

Estate Study ranked Nebraska as 3rd “Top 10 Pro-Business State;” CNBC rated Nebraska as 3rd “Top State for Business Friendliness” in 2014; Bankrate.com ranked Nebraska as 6^th “Best State to Retire” in 2014; and MoneyRates.com touted Nebraska as 3rd “Best State for Young Adults” in 2014; among many other top rankings.

The state is situated at the geographic centre of the US, making it an exceptional location for transporting goods and services to all major US markets within one or two days and at the very outer reaches, three days at the most. In one day, goods shipped by road hauliers reach 26% of the US. When adding a second day, this skyrockets to 91%. Its key mid-US NAFTA Trade Corridor location is also ideal for companies that rely heavily on trade with both Canada and Mexico.

Nebraska is well positioned for international trade. The operator of the largest Class I route network in the US, Union Pacific Railroad, not only has its headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, but operates a main line across the state, thereby serving the busiest freight corridor in the world. Trains travel to and from West Coast ports daily with containerised and bulk cargo.

“Nebraska’s industries of transportation and logistics; biosciences that include ethanol and renewable fuels generation; financial services; manufacturing and value-added agriculture are especially key to our economic growth and sustainability”, said Joe Chapuran, International Business Manager with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. “Additionally, more international companies are becoming aware of and interested in locating facilities in Nebraska based on our many advantages”.

The state offers a comprehensive programme of tiered tax incentives for every size business, from micro-businesses and new start-ups to large corporations. Other programmes offer a variety of assistance, including job training, internships, site and building development, research and development, and concept to commercialisation, among others.

Nebraska also boasts ample, cost-efficient energy and one of the most sophisticated telecommunications infrastructures in the country thanks in large part to it being home to Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska. Many data centres have located throughout the greater Omaha area due to the extensive telecommunications capacity.

The state’s cost of living is below the national average in primary categories including food, housing, transportation and health care. It is home to Nebraska Medicine, a company with worldwide expertise in transplantation, as well as a regional leader in oncological, cardiology and neurological services. Another premier regional facility, the Nebraska Heart Hospital is located here.

Wages and salaries in Nebraska compare very favourably with other states when adjusted for the cost-of-living benefits found here.

Nebraska also prides itself in offering outstanding educational opportunities. The state’s student-to-teacher ratio and high school graduation rate rank among the best in the US. A higher percentage of Nebraska’s high school students than the national average opt to take the ACT and SAT college aptitude tests and consistently score in the top quadrant. The state is also working with its community colleges to provide technical and skilled training courses targeting more specialised vocations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Nebraska offers an abundance of opportunities for entrepreneurs, CEOs, students, families, retirees – the advantages for living, working and doing business here are endless.