AGP Executive Report

Energy Costs: Nebraska’s Cold Weather Rule is in effect through March 31, giving customers of Black Hills Energy and NorthWestern Energy 30 extra days to pay overdue gas bills before disconnection; municipal utilities are exempt. Farm Policy: Nebraska Farm Bureau is urging federal agencies to adopt a durable Waters of the U.S. rule, saying shifting definitions have left farmers and ranchers uncertain about permits for ditches, streams and wetlands. Wildfire Recovery: A Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation fund distributed $435,000 to 87 farm and ranch households, helping cover livestock transport, feed and lost grazing after western Nebraska wildfires. Manufacturing: Creighton’s nine-state business index rose to 56.1 in October, signaling continued regional growth, though Nebraska was among states that lost manufacturing jobs over the past year. Industry Investment: Superior has been named the site of a proposed Nebraska fertilizer manufacturing facility. Grand Island’s Nova-Tech Animal Health also won the state’s “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” contest for its IV fluids.

Power Costs: Nebraska voters are among those choosing utility regulators as high bills put rate-setting under sharper scrutiny. Decisions on rate increases and large energy users could affect households and businesses alike. Data Centers: Voter concerns over electricity costs and water are fueling a national backlash, while Gov. Jim Pillen says Nebraska’s infrastructure can handle current demand. Manufacturing & Energy: Superior has been selected for a proposed fertilizer plant, and Green Plains is monetizing federal clean-fuel tax credits — two developments that could shape investment in Nebraska’s bioeconomy. Workforce & Industry: Grand Island’s Nova-Tech Animal Health won the “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” award for its IV fluids, while the state Labor Department launched a rapid reskilling program for displaced workers. Infrastructure: Lincoln received an $11.7 million federal grant for West O Street safety improvements.

Manufacturing: Nebraska manufacturers earned fresh recognition: Minden’s Royal Engineered Composites was named Manufacturer of the Year, while Grand Island’s Nova-Tech won the “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” contest for its animal-health IV fluids. Fertilizer Investment: Superior has been named the site of a proposed fertilizer plant, but a separate federal funding announcement does not include money for the facility. Biofuels: Green Plains is monetizing federal 45Z clean-fuel tax credits, a potential boost for Nebraska’s bioeconomy. Agriculture: A proposed co-op merger would connect operations across central Nebraska, the Sandhills and the Panhandle. Workforce: The Nebraska Department of Labor launched a rapid reskilling and reemployment initiative to help displaced workers find new jobs. Energy: Nebraska received federal support to expand energy infrastructure, while Lincoln’s 2026 Wind & Solar Conference drew 340 registrants.

Agricultural Data: Nebraska’s first-in-the-nation law recognizing agricultural data as an asset adds urgency to farmers’ calls to control how companies use farm data in AI tools. Business Services: Nebraska is among the states suing restaurant-software company Toast, alleging hidden fees and cancellation barriers that hurt businesses; Toast denies the claims. Infrastructure: Lincoln secured an $11.7 million federal grant for safety upgrades along West O Street, supporting a $14.6 million project. Workforce: The Nebraska Department of Labor launched a rapid reskilling and reemployment program for displaced workers. Manufacturing: Nova-Tech Animal Health’s IV fluids won the “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” contest, while a proposed fertilizer plant in Superior remains outside a newly announced federal funding package. Energy: Omaha-based Green Plains is monetizing federal 45Z clean-fuel tax credits.

Infrastructure: Lincoln secured an $11.7 million federal grant for safety upgrades along West “O” Street, supporting a $14.6 million project on a key business corridor. State Finances: Nebraska’s projected deficit for the 2028–29 budget has grown to $1.2 billion as revenue forecasts weaken. Workforce: A new state initiative will connect workers displaced by layoffs or automation with short-term training and jobs in high-demand fields. Agriculture and Energy: Green Plains is monetizing 45Z tax credits, while a proposed fertilizer manufacturing facility has a site in Superior. Nebraska Manufacturing: Nova-Tech Animal Health’s bagged IV fluids won the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska contest.

Transportation Investment: Lincoln secured an $11.7 million federal grant toward a $14.6 million West O Street safety project, including roundabouts, medians and pedestrian improvements. State Finances: A new forecast puts Nebraska’s projected 2028–29 budget deficit at about $1.2 billion, after expected revenues fell by $355 million. Workforce: Nebraska launched a rapid reskilling and reemployment initiative to help workers displaced by layoffs or technological change return to in-demand jobs. Agriculture and Energy: Omaha-based Green Plains will monetize at least $250 million in clean-fuel tax credits; separately, Superior is being considered for a proposed fertilizer plant backed by federal funding. Manufacturing: Grand Island’s Nova-Tech Animal Health won the “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” contest for its IV fluids. Small Business: Omaha welcomed the state’s first Wing It On! restaurant, a family-owned franchise.

Workforce: Nebraska launched a rapid reskilling initiative to help people displaced by layoffs and automation return to work through short-term training and faster job placement. A new SCC–UNL agreement also maps more than 50 transfer pathways and guarantees UNL admission for SCC graduates with at least a 2.0 GPA. Fertilizer Investment: Superior is being considered for a modular ammonia plant under a proposed $1.34 billion federal investment in domestic fertilizer production. The project is at an early stage and still requires local review. Biofuels: Omaha-based Green Plains will monetize at least $250 million in 45Z clean-fuel tax credits, with buyers able to purchase more; the company expects $140 million in cash this quarter. Agriculture: USDA and NASA plan to work together on crop estimates after errors in a September report contributed to sharp corn-market moves. Manufacturing: Grand Island’s Nova-Tech won Nebraska’s “Coolest Thing Made” contest for injectable animal-health fluids used to treat dehydration.

Consumer Protection: Nebraska joined the FTC and 19 states in suing Dollar General, alleging years of checkout overcharges compared with shelf and advertised prices. The retailer disputes the claims. Manufacturing: Nova-Tech Animal Health’s bagged IV fluids won Nebraska’s 2026 “Coolest Thing Made” contest, putting the state’s animal-health production in the spotlight. Energy & Infrastructure: Federal funding is headed to Nebraska to expand the energy grid as demand grows; Gov. Jim Pillen says the state can handle current data-center needs. Agriculture: A USDA correction to September corn estimates revised Nebraska figures, shaking up grain-market expectations. At a Nov. 3 field day near Denton, researchers will demonstrate turning invasive redcedar into biochar for farm soils. Sports Betting: DraftKings and FanDuel have each contributed nearly $10.3 million to support Nebraska’s Nov. 3 online sports-betting vote, bringing backing for the measures to about $21.7 million.

Oilfield Services: Sunrise Oilfield Supply will acquire Morris Pump & Supply in Russell on Nov. 1, adding an 11th location to its Kansas-Nebraska-Oklahoma-North Dakota network. The Morris brothers will help ensure a smooth customer transition through April. Data Centers & Power: Gov. Jim Pillen says Nebraska’s grid can handle current data center demand, but future projects must protect water supplies and ratepayers and offer no tax incentives. Separately, the state’s six data centers reported using 780 million gallons of water. Agriculture: A near-record corn harvest is tightening storage in parts of the Corn Belt, though exceptionally dry conditions in western Nebraska have eased space and logistics pressures there. Transportation: Emergency repairs on the Highway 15 Platte River Bridge south of Schuyler will close the route for an estimated four to six weeks, disrupting local travel and freight. Small Businesses: Nebraska joined the FTC and other states in suing Toast, alleging hidden fees, unauthorized subscriptions and misleading claims that affected restaurant operators and customers.

Omaha Construction: NDOT expects lane restrictions and construction at 72nd and L Street to end the week of Thanksgiving, weather permitting. Consumer Protection: Nebraska is among 20 states suing Dollar General, alleging customers were routinely charged more at checkout than advertised; the retailer disputes the claims. Fertilizer Supply: USDA selected eight projects for more than $573 million in funding, including Talus Ag projects in Nebraska. A proposed eastern Montana fertilizer plant was not selected, though its backers say they are pursuing other funding. Agriculture: The Nebraska Department of Agriculture received about $852,000 in specialty-crop grants for 13 projects, including research on peas, sunflower and pest management. Energy and Growth: Omaha’s limited power capacity could constrain the region’s ability to grow, while proposed Missouri River pipelines to western states are raising concerns about water supplies for Nebraska and other river states. Manufacturing: Gov. Jim Pillen visited Centennial Plastics in Hastings during Manufacturing Month, highlighting the local industry and workforce.

Manufacturing: Gov. Jim Pillen toured Centennial Plastics in Hastings during Manufacturing Month, highlighting the city’s manufacturing base and workforce. Power & Utilities: OPPD CEO Javier Fernandez will step down at year-end as Omaha faces tight power capacity, putting future supply and leadership in focus. Jobs: Nebraska ranked No. 1 in WalletHub’s state job-market ranking, with 3% unemployment and steady job growth. Transportation: A new Ports-to-Plains study projects $36.7 billion in added annual economic output and 59,000 jobs across nine states, including Nebraska, if the corridor is completed. Water: Central Nebraska power district board candidates point to low Lake McConaughy levels, Kingsley Dam repairs and the proposed Perkins County Canal as major challenges.

Energy & Critical Minerals: Nebraska leaders highlighted the Elk Creek mine, projected to support more than 1,000 rural jobs, as federal officials announced a $1.34 billion fertilizer-manufacturing investment during a Nebraska visit. Manufacturing: ADM plans upgrades at its Nebraska corn dry mill to expand processing for biofuels demand. Agriculture: USDA corrected September corn estimates for Nebraska and Kansas after a reporting error, prompting concern about market trust; Nebraska also received a federal specialty-crop grant. Transportation: Nebraska truckers say steep diesel costs are squeezing the industry, with some independent drivers forced to leave the business. Consumer Prices: Nebraska joined the FTC and 19 states in suing Dollar General, alleging customers were charged more at checkout than advertised prices.

Consumer Protection: Nebraska has joined the FTC and 19 other states in suing Dollar General, alleging stores repeatedly charged customers more than shelf prices despite complaints and internal knowledge. Farm Support: Nebraska Extension and FSA will hold Nov. 4–6 meetings on federal crop safety-net programs, with enrollment deadlines approaching. The state agriculture department also awarded more than $851,000 in federal grants for 13 specialty-crop projects. Farm Labor: A new app connects Nebraska farmers with seasonal workers, while an Extension guide offers employers practical help with hiring, training and retention. Corn Processing: ADM is investing to expand corn processing at its Nebraska facility, adding to the state’s ag-industry activity. Power Capacity: Omaha’s shrinking electricity headroom could constrain future growth as demand from industry and data centers rises.

Consumer Costs: Nebraska has joined the FTC and 19 other states in suing Dollar General, alleging stores routinely charged customers more at checkout than shelf or advertised prices despite repeated complaints. Agriculture and Processing: ADM plans to expand corn processing at its Nebraska facility as demand for biofuels grows. The USDA also corrected September corn estimates for Nebraska and Kansas, renewing concerns among growers about the report’s effects on markets. Fertilizer Supply: During a North Platte visit, Vice President JD Vance announced a $1.34 billion investment in U.S. fertilizer manufacturing, aimed at strengthening domestic supply and supporting farmers. Infrastructure and Industry: Gretna advanced a proposed $32 million bond for the I-80 interchange at 192nd Street. In North Platte, the Nebraska International Port of the Plains approved a commercial lease with Gothenburg-based farm-equipment parts maker Wearparts.

Consumer Pricing: Nebraska joined the FTC and 19 other states in suing Dollar General, alleging the chain repeatedly charged customers more at checkout than advertised prices despite years of complaints. Food Processing: ADM is upgrading its Columbus corn dry mill, aiming to add 20 million bushels of annual processing capacity by 2027 as biofuel demand grows. Agriculture: USDA corrected a processing error in September corn data for Nebraska and Kansas, but left its October yield forecast unchanged; growers warn the reporting turmoil has weighed on prices during harvest. Energy and Growth: Omaha’s limited power capacity could constrain the region’s ability to expand, raising infrastructure concerns for Nebraska businesses. Freight: Omaha-area truck drivers say high diesel prices are squeezing carriers, especially independent operators, and disrupting routes.

Grain Markets: Soybeans fell to a two-month low as Brazil’s election result sent the real tumbling, adding pressure to U.S. prices amid harvest-season selling. Fertilizer Manufacturing: A federal investment package totaling $1.34 billion is advancing eight projects to expand domestic production; Nebraska is among the states slated for new facilities. Crop Data: USDA corrected a processing error in its September corn report that affected Kansas and Nebraska yield and production estimates. Corn growers say the mistake hurt prices and farmer confidence in the agency. Food Processing: UNL’s Food Innovation Center is using high-pressure processing to help Nebraska food businesses improve safety and shelf life, with a public open house planned Oct. 30. Power Capacity: Omaha’s limited electricity capacity could constrain the region’s growth, raising a key infrastructure challenge for Nebraska employers and new development. Agricultural Technology: Nebraska’s new ag-data privacy law sets rules for farm information, while Claas is opening a research and development center in the state.