OMAHA- From downtown Omaha to the Scottsbluff National Monument, Nebraskans are confronting a chronic lack of in-state workers to fill jobs. However, a growing alliance of leaders statewide hopes to turn Nebraska's eyes abroad to solve this problem. This coalition of leaders and their organizations include the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Omaha Together One Community.

It also features representatives from the agricultural, business, health care, education, and labor industries. Together, this coalition of leaders and workers is calling on the state to welcome more immigrants, an action they see as a possible solution to Nebraska's pressing workforce shortage. Citing statistics that indicated that Nebraska had 49,233 open jobs, despite an all-time low unemployment rate, they say it's time for the state to become more open.

"Within the business community, there's no question that recruiting workforce is the number one priority," said Bryan Slone, president of the State Chamber. Nationwide, the coalition plans to encourage Congress to remove obstacles to legal immigration and promote statewide job recruitment. The coalition also says it has an advantage to achieve these goals, which is its connection with local nonprofits like Lutheran Family Services and Catholic Social Services, which have international contacts in many countries.

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