Nebraska has many qualities that make it an attractive place to live, work, raise a family and grow a business. It balances and blends economic opportunity with lifestyle; offers a wide variety of employment opportunities; has minimal commute times, safe communities and life-long learning opportunities; provides a variety of and accessibility to natural and recreational amenities; and so much more.

Nebraska is receiving national attention. CNBC has positioned Nebraska as the 4th Top State for Business in 2013.

Further rankings have recognised Nebraska as a great place to be – The Pollina Corporate 2013 Study ranked Nebraska 2nd in the “Top 10 Pro-Business States”; the State Policy Report 2013 Camelot Index rated Nebraska 1st in Educated Population and the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index makes us the 7th Happiest State in the US, so smile whilst you succeed!

Nebraska lies at the geographic centre of the US. Its central location along key transportation routes provides unmatched speed to all major markets, regardless of direction. Within just one day, goods shipped by truck reach 26 per cent of the US population – add a second day, and the percentage jumps to 91 per cent. Its central location within the Mid-Continent NAFTA Trade Corridor makes it an ideal location for companies that rely on trade with Canada and Mexico.

Nebraska is well situated to serve international markets. Union Pacific Railroad’s main line in central Nebraska is the busiest freight corridor in the world, with many trains carrying containerised and bulk cargo to and from West Coast ports.

“We have seen strong job growth in all sectors of the economy, especially transportation/logistics, bioscience (including ethanol and renewable fuels generation), financial services and manufacturing”, says Joe Chapuran, International Business Manager of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. “We also have had a great deal of interest in our state from international companies”.

Nebraska’s attractive business climate, tax incentives, labour productivity and job training programmes have combined to make it an ideal location. In addition, it offers a vast, sophisticated telecommunications capacity and ample, cost efficient energy.

Nebraska’s cost of living is below the national average in all major categories, including food, housing, transportation and health care. When adjusted for these cost-of-living advantages, wages and salaries in Nebraska compare very favourably with those in other states.

Education is key to Nebraska’s future and Nebraska’s “Education Climate” was ranked in the top five by The 2010 Business Facilities Rankings Report. Nebraska’s student-to-teacher ratio and high school graduation rate rank among the best in the nation. A greater proportion of Nebraska’s high school students take and score higher on the ACT and SAT college aptitude tests than the national average. And through the use of innovative technology, Nebraska has dramatically increased distance learning opportunities for both high school and college students.

Nebraska is alive with opportunities for individuals, families and businesses. Explore its endless array of advantages for living, working and doing business.