POPULATION: 1,774,571 (2007)

LABOR FORCE: 983,438 (2007 annual average)

RIGHT TO WORK: Yes

TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES: Agriculture, manufacturing

EXPANDING INDUSTRIES: Food processing, plastics products, telecommunications, telemarketing, biofuels, travel and tourism

COLLEGE GRADUATES: (Age 25 and over) 24.4% (2000)

BASIC BUSINESS TAXES:
Corporate Income Tax: 5.58 percent on the first $50,000 and 7.81 percent on income of more than $50,000; based on federal taxable income attributable to Nebraska operations

Corporate Organization Filing Fees: Based on firm's paid-up capital stock; rate ranges from $60 for $10,000 or less of authorized capital stock to $300 for more than $100,000 plus $3 per $1,000 in excess of $100,000; annual occupation tax also assessed

Sales Tax: 5.5 percent sales tax on gross receipts from retail sales and rental of tangible personal property; certain utilities; admissions; producing, fabricating, processing, printing, or imprinting; and lodging rentals for short periods

Use Tax: Tax on storage, use, or consumption of tangible personal property purchased at retail when the sales tax has not been paid

Property Tax: Levied by county and municipal subdivisions, including school districts; all property assessed at 100 percent of actual value; industrial sites located outside Nebraska cities normally taxed at a lower rate than property within city limits

BUSINESS INCENTIVES:
Industrial development revenue bonds (low-interest financing)
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority
Economic Development Loan Program
Nebraska Development Finance Service (low-interest financing)
Nebraska Energy Fund
Small Business Innovation Research Program
Statewide SBA 504
Local development corporations
Skill Training Employment Program
Heartland Capital Fund Limited (seed capital)
Nebraska Enterprise Opportunity Network
Community improvement financing
Nebraska Advantage Act (tax credits)
Nebraska Venture Capital Forum Program