LINCOLN- Nebraska's newest and most substantial program to spur economic growth in the state, the ImagiNE Act, has so far attracted agreements with 50 companies, who have pledged to create a total of 2,481 jobs and invest $1.55 billion in the state. The largest of these proposed investments comes from Mutual of Omaha, who project the creation of 100 new, full-time jobs after their skyscraper headquarters is finished in downtown Omaha.

Other big agreements were signed with Clean Harbors of Kimball, who seek to invest nearly $180 million and create 80 new jobs, and Perfect Day Inc. of Blair, who plans on investing $275 million and creating 70 jobs. Through the ImagiNE Act, according to the state Departments of Revenue and Economic Development, the state will provide nearly $112 million in state tax refunds and credits to all of the companies who have signed agreements.

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, who chairs the Legislature's Revenue Committee, said that it was "excellent" to see so many local companies pledge investments, but questioned if the state was "investing in the right things?" According to Linehan, the state might be wiser to provide incentives for people to move to and work in Nebraska, rather than give them to companies already located in the state.

For the full article click HERE