Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order Tuesday that created new measures to ensure collaboration among state agencies and partners to recruit new business to and support business already in Nebraska.
“We, together, are going to work and put our fate in our own hands and make extraordinary things continue to happen in the great state of Nebraska,” Pillen said.
Pillen announced the order at a press conference in Kearney during the 2026 Governor’s Summit. Joining him were Maureen Larsen, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development; Joseph Young, CEO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry; and Heath Mello, CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber. All plan to be part of efforts to bolster economic development across the state.
Pillen’s executive order builds a structure for state agencies and stakeholders to work together on economic development and pursue engagement nationally. His staff said the project involves creating and maintaining a database of Nebraska site and asset inventory and promoting Nebraska’s business prowess at events around the country.
The database will support staff when site selectors from businesses seeking parcels to build on or expand to in the state call, by giving them a list of possibilities ready to go. Meanwhile, staff will also seek out site selection events, trade shows, industry expositions and corporate headquarter visits across the nation and ensure that Nebraska representatives are there in attendance to engage with potential business partners.
“We’re going to be talking about why Nebraska is the very best place to live, grow, and start a business,” Larsen said. “We as Nebraskans are going to compete as a unified team. We are open for business.”
Plans for statewide collaboration divide the state into six regions, as laid out by the Department of Economic Development. This is intended to give each region a say in best approaches to economic development in its area.
“We need to be solving our problems in our communities,” Pillen said. “If we think Lincoln (state government) can do it, we’re up a crick without a paddle.”
Young shared that the state chamber has been getting feedback from businesses and community leaders across Nebraska, outlining opportunities to grow, adding that this executive order is a big step in addressing those solutions.