Area Development Partnership
Lincoln, Nebraska —
At the Center of
Business Growth
When people think of Lincoln, they may remember from
their geography class that Lincoln is the state capital of Nebraska.
Or maybe people know Lincoln as the home of the University of
Nebraska and the national power Cornhusker athletic programs.
What most people don’t realize is the amount of goods and
services used around the world on a daily basis that are produced or affected by Lincoln regional businesses. Lincoln is a
center of commerce and industry for the Midwest. The Lincoln
region is home to several national and international companies
that thrive in the pro-business environment.
Several of these companies continue to grow even during
economic recession. Fiserv is in the middle of a 60,000-square-
foot expansion. Perot Systems is constructing a new 150,000-
square-foot facility and is adding 150 technology employees.
Assurity Life Insurance just announced that it would be constructing a new 175,000-square-foot headquarters as well.
And the growth continues in the region with expansions at
Dempster Industries (windmill manufacturing in Beatrice), Bioiberia
(a Spanish firm manufacturing health products in Geneva), Vantec
(Falls City), and Diversified Seasonings (Nebraska City).
The reason for the growth of these companies is simple. Business climate rankings continue to put Nebraska at the top. Energy costs are among the lowest in the nation. Productivity among
Nebraska employees is legendary.
“A key factor to our success is the strong work ethic of
Nebraskans,” said Shiro Noiri, president of Kawasaki Motors
Manufacturing Corp, U.S.A. Kawasaki’s North American assembly plant is in Lincoln.
In fact, Kawasaki is a case study in the growth opportunities in
Lincoln. The company was the first foreign vehicle manufacturer
to locate to the United State when it opened its doors in Lincoln
in 1974. Since then, the Japan based industrial giant has grown
from 268,000 square feet to 1. 7 million square feet on a 332-acre
site. The company opened with 91 employees and now employs
1,500 full-time employees. The opportunities were so tremendous that Kawasaki began manufacturing passenger rail cars in
2001. Current contracts include MTA New York City Transit, Port
Authority Trans-Hudson, and MTA Metro-North Railroad.
The community has committed to providing innovation
opportunities through strategic partnerships with existing companies and the University of Nebraska. In 2008, the Nebraska Legislature approved the creation of the University of Nebraska Innovation Campus, a 250-acre research park. The park, which will
begin development in 2010, is envisioned to provide opportunities for the private sector to work closely with UNL researchers in
fields such as food and agriculture, transportation, computer software design, and plant and animal science, as well as countless
other areas where UNL is among world leaders for innovation.
“Lincoln is positioning itself as a major force in innovation and
economic development for the community, region and state for
the next 20 years,” said Jason Smith, vice president of Economic
Development for the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. “There is
private- and public-sector support and cooperation like we’ve
seen at no point in our history.”
For more information on the Lincoln region, please visit
our website.
Jason Smith
Vice President, Economic Development
Lincoln Area Development Partnership
1135 M Street, Suite 200
Lincoln, NE 68506
Phone: 402.436.2373
Fax: 402.436.2360
E-mail: jsmith@lcoc.com
www.lincolnpartners.org
