Nebraska will start hearing more of the phrase, “I got the job,” as shovel ready sites turn into fully operational businesses. Area Development, a leading economic development publication, recently recognized Nebraska with a 2020 “Silver Shovel” Award for its achievements in attracting high-value investment projects that will create a significant number of jobs. Nebraska was one of the runners-up in the under 3 million state population category.
“It is great to see this type of recognition for Nebraska’s efforts in attracting projects in 2019,” said Mary Plettner, NPPD Economic Development Manager. “The fact that projects such as the Petsource by Scoular facility in Seward helped win this award is outstanding as well.”
Area Development’s Gold and Silver Shovel Awards are based on the top-10 job creation and investment projects initiated in 2019 in each state. Based on a combination of weighted factors – including the number of new jobs in relation to the state’s population, the combined dollar amount of the investments and others – five states with the highest weighted overall scores receive Gold Shovels in each of five population categories with runners-up receiving Silver Shovels.