Nebraska Public Power District's (NPPD) series of industry opportunity studies analyze and quantify the industrial location advantages of NPPD's service area and communities for specific targeted industry groups. The studies compare the geographically-variable operating costs for NPPD's service area with the geographic areas where these industries have traditionally been concentrated. In each study a model plant that is representative of the respective industry group is "constructed" and used to quantify these geographically-variable costs. The comparative advantages of NPPD's service area are then quantified by the two principal cost dimensions (labor-related and energy costs) that vary geographically.

Nebraska offers a wide range of locational advantages to manufacturers. An attractive business climate, a well-educated and productive labor force, reliable supplies of low cost energy, and a location central to national markets are among the leading advantages of a Nebraska location. Read on to learn more about what each study offers.

Manufacturers of Plastics Products Study

(January 2008) NAICS 3261 group, Plastics Products Industry, Approx. 42 pages.

Updated January 2008!

Model Plant Size: 50 production workers, NAICS 3261

Study Size: 16 states. Besides Nebraska, these states include those that currently have the largest production in the industry as well as other states near Nebraska with which it typically competes for industrial location projects.

Advantages: Compared to the 15 alternative states, Nebraska is found to offer an annual savings of $193,073 in labor-related costs, which is 8.8 percent less than the average labor costs for the other states.

This study also concludes that a Nebraska plant location offers a significant energy cost advantage. Electric rates in the alternative states average 61.7 percent higher, and the average industrial gas rate is 20.1 percent more. Combining these advantages, Nebraska's energy cost for the model plant is 35.3 percent lower than the average for the other 15 alternative locations.

Together, Nebraska's annual labor and energy costs for the model plant are $362,082 less (or 13.6 percent less) than the average costs for the 15 alternative states. Conversely, the average labor and energy costs in the other 15 states are 15.7 percent more than the Nebraska labor and energy costs.

• Download your complete copy today - Plastics Study (PDF)
• Request a bound copy by emailing econdev@nppd.com
• Subscribe to online announcements for future studies and additional economic development information using the Library Request Form

Food Processing Study

(May 2007) Generally applicable for the Food Processing industry as a whole (NAICS 311), Approx. 47 pages. Model Plant Size: 50 employees, NAICS 311 Study Size: 16 states. Besides Nebraska, these states include those currently having the largest production in the industry as well as other states near Nebraska with which the state typically competes for industrial location projects.

Advantages: If located in Nebraska, the model plant has a significant labor cost advantage over most of the alternative locations. When compared to the average labor costs for the 15 alternative locations, Nebraska's annual labor cost advantage is $348,027 or 13.9 percent lower.

Electric rates in the 15 alternative states average 60.2 percent above those in Nebraska. The average industrial gas rate in the other locations is 15.3 percent more than the Nebraska rate. When compared to the average total energy annual cost for the other plant sites, the energy cost for the Nebraska model plant is 27.1 percent lower, translating into an average annual savings of $115,855.

The combined annual labor and energy costs for Nebraska are $463,882 lower than the average of the other locations, or 15.8 percent less than the average annual labor and energy costs for the 15 alternative states.

• Download your complete copy today - Food Processing Study (PDF)
• Request a bound copy by emailing econdev@nppd.com
• Subscribe to online announcements for future studies and additional economic development information using the Library Request Form

Manufacturers of Industrial Machinery & Equipment Study

(September 2000) Characteristics, Trends and Projections, 1982-2008 (SIC 35, NAICS 333), Approx. 52 pages. Model Plant Size: 50 employees, NAICS 333 Study Size: 17 locations including states that currently have significant production of industrial machinery and equipment products as well as surrounding states with which Nebraska typically competes for industrial location projects.

Advantages: The Nebraska annual labor cost advantage ranges from an annual savings of $234,980 (or 13.0 percent) compared to the average labor costs for the 16 alternative plants sites, to a high of $721,820 when compared to the Michigan plant site. Electric rates in the 16 alternative states average 41.8 percent above those in Nebraska. The average industrial gas rate in the other locations is 26.5 percent above the Nebraska rate. Together, Nebraska's annual labor and energy costs for the model plant are $276,060 less than the average costs for the 16 alternative states. Conversely, average labor and energy costs for the 16 alternative plant sites are 16.3 percent more than the Nebraska labor and energy costs.

• Download your complete copy today - Industrial Machinery & Equipment Study (PDF)
• Request a bound copy by emailing econdev@nppd.com
• Subscribe to online announcements for future studies and additional economic development information using the Library Request Form

Manufactured Meat Processors Study

Advantages: The Nebraska annual labor cost advantage ranges from an annual savings of $58,640 when compared to the Texas location to a high of $692,040 when compared to the Michigan plant site. Compared to the average labor costs for the 15 alternative plant sites, Nebraska's annual labor cost advantage is $251,810, or 15.2 percent less than the average for the other states. Electric rates in the 15 alternative states average 33.1 percent more than those in Nebraska. The average industrial gas rate in the other locations is 24.0 percent greater than the Nebraska rate. When compared to the average total energy annual cost for the other plant sites, the energy cost for the Nebraska model plant is $55,613 or 23.7 percent less than the average for the 15 alternative locations. The combined annual labor and energy costs for Nebraska are $307,430 lower than the average of the other locations. Conversely, average annual labor and energy costs for the 15 alternative plant sites are 19.4 percent more than the costs for the manufactured meat processing model plant located in Nebraska. On a per-worker basis, Nebraska’s labor and energy costs of $31,700 are $6,150 less than the average of $37,850 for the other 15 plant sites.

• Request a bound copy by emailing econdev@nppd.com
• Subscribe to online announcements for future studies and additional economic development information using the Library Request Form

Manufacturers of Frozen Food Products Study

(July 1999) Industry group, "Frozen Specialities" (SIC 2038), Approx. 68 pages. Model Plant Size: 50 employees, SIC 2038 Study Size: 16 locations. In addition to Nebraska these locations include states that currently have significant production of in the industry as well as surrounding states with which Nebraska typically competes for industrial location projects.

Advantages: The Nebraska annual labor cost advantage ranges from an annual savings of $58,640 when compared to the Texas location to a high of $692,040 when compared to the Michigan plant site. Compared to the average labor costs for the 15 alternative plant sites, Nebraska's annual labor cost advantage is $251,810 or 15.2 percent lower than the average for the other states. Electric rates in the 15 alternative states average 33.1 percent more than those in Nebraska. The average industrial gas rate in the other locations is 24.0 percent more than the Nebraska rate. When compared to the average total energy cost for the other plant sites, the energy cost for the Nebraska model plant is 23.9 percent lower. The combined annual labor and energy costs for Nebraska are $297,560 lower than the average of the other locations. Conversely, average annual labor and energy costs for the 15 alternative plant sites are 19.2 percent more than the costs for the frozen food products model plant located in Nebraska. On a per-worker basis, Nebraska's labor and energy costs of $31,029 are $5,951 less than the average of $36,980 for the other 15 plant sites.

• Request a bound copy by emailing econdev@nppd.com
• Subscribe to online announcements for future studies and additional economic development information using the Library Request Form

Food Products Machinery & Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Study

Advantages: The Nebraska annual labor cost advantage ranges from an annual savings of $127,220 when compared to the Missouri location to a high of $712,380 when compared to the Michigan plant site. Compared to the average labor costs for the 14 alternative plant sites, Nebraska's annual labor cost advantage is $268,070, or 16.3 percent lower than the average for the other states. Electric rates in the 14 alternative states average 31.7 percent more than those in Nebraska. The average industrial gas rate in the other locations is 17.0 percent more than the Nebraska rate. When compared to the average total energy cost for the other plant sites, the energy cost for the Nebraska model plant is 22.6 percent lower. The combined annual labor and energy costs for Nebraska are $295,980 lower than the average of the other locations. Conversely, average labor and energy costs for the 14 alternative plant sites are 20.1 percent more than those for the Nebraska location for a model plant producing machinery for the food processing industry. On a per-worker basis, Nebraska’s labor and energy costs of $29,477 are $5,920 less than the average of $35,396 for the other 14 plant sites.

• Request a bound copy by emailing econdev@nppd.com
• Subscribe to online announcements for future studies and additional economic development information using the Library Request Form

Manufacturers of Fabricated Metal Products Study

(June 2007) Generally applies to NAICS 332, Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing subsector, Approx. 39 pages. Model Plant Size: 50 production workers, NAICS 332 Study Size: 16 states. Besides Nebraska, these states include those that currently have the largest fabricated metal product subsectors as well as other states near Nebraska.

Advantages: Compared to the 15 alternative states, Nebraska is found to offer an annual savings of $341,709 in labor costs or 14.2 percent below the other states' average. In addition, the analysis finds that Nebraska offers significant energy cost savings.

Electric rates in the alternative states average 75.5 percent higher, and the average industrial gas rate is 20.3 percent higher. Combining these advantages, Nebraska's energy cost for the model plant is 33.9 percent lower.

Together, Nebraska's annual labor and energy costs for the model plant are $451,000, or 16.5 percent less than the average costs for the 15 alternative states. Conversely, the average labor and energy costs in the other states are 19.7 percent higher than the labor and energy costs for the Nebraska plant site.

• Download your complete copy today - Fabricated Metal Products Study (PDF)
• Request a bound copy by emailing econdev@nppd.com
• Subscribe to online announcements for future studies and additional economic development information using the Library Request Form

Manufacturers of Medical & Surgical Instruments Study

(October 1997) SIC 3841 and SIC 3842, Medical and Surgical Instruments Industry, Approx. 44 pages. Model Plant Size: 50 employees, SIC 3841 and SIC 3842 Study Size: 17 states. Besides Nebraska, these states include those that currently have the largest production in the industry as well as other states near Nebraska with which it typically competes for industrial locations.

Advantages: The medical and surgical instruments industry consists of more than 4,192 establishments engaged in producing a wide range of medical instruments and surgical appliances and supplies. Experiencing rapid growth during the past 15 years, the industry also has a favorable long-term outlook. Nationally, shipments of medical and surgical instruments are forecast to grow at a compound rate of 5.8 percent annually during the 1992-2005 projection period. The Nebraska annual labor cost advantage ranges from an annual savings of $64,590 when compared to the Texas location to a high of $690,070 when compared to the Michigan plant site. Compared to the average labor costs for the 16 alternative plant sites, Nebraska's annual labor cost advantage is $251,010, or 15.2 percent below the average for the other states. In addition to the labor cost advantage, the Nebraska plant site also enjoys a significant energy cost advantage. Electric rates in the 16 alternative states average 36.4 percent above those in Nebraska. The average industrial gas rate in the other locations is 27.8 percent above the Nebraska rate. When compared to the average total energy annual cost for the other plant sites, the energy cost for the Nebraska model plant is $35,562 or 24.1 percent lower. The combined annual labor and energy costs for Nebraska are $286,574 below the average of the other locations. Conversely, average labor and energy costs for the 16 alternative plant sites are 19.1 percent higher than the costs for the medical and surgical products model plant located in Nebraska. On a per-worker basis, Nebraska's labor and energy costs of $29,996 are $5,731 less than the average of $35,727 for the other 16 plant sites.

• Request a bound copy by emailing econdev@nppd.com
• Subscribe to online announcements for future studies and additional economic development information using the Library Request Form