Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order Tuesday establishing a statewide working group to coordinate business recruitment, site selection and economic expansion. The group will develop a multiyear economic strategy and bring together state officials, chambers of commerce and regional development leaders.
Pillen signed Executive Order 26-22 during the Governor’s Summit at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney. Department of Economic Development Director Maureen Larsen will chair the Governor’s Economic Growth Working Group, which will include representatives from the Lincoln and Omaha chambers, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Nebraska Economic Developers Association and all six regions of the state.
The group will create an annual recruitment plan to coordinate trade missions, corporate headquarters visits and participation in industry events. It will also develop a statewide inventory of available industrial sites, commercial properties and infrastructure to help businesses identify locations for expansion.
Nebraska Economic Developers Association President Luke Peltz said the organization helped shape the framework alongside the governor’s office and other economic development partners. “When we share resources, align our efforts, and work as one economic development community, we can create more opportunities for businesses and communities in all 93 counties,” Peltz said in a statement.
The Department of Economic Development will hold recurring business roundtables in every region to gather feedback from employers. The working group is expected to submit an initial strategic framework to Pillen by Dec. 31, 2026, with a full multiyear plan scheduled for publication by June 30, 2027.