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Invest in Nebraska
A short guide for companies expanding into Nebraska: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Nebraska at a glance
Population
2.02 million
The population was 2,018,006 as of July 1, 2025.
Source: Census Bureau, state population estimates, July 1, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$206.6 billion
GDP was US$206,616.2 million in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, GDP by state, 2025 update (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per person
US$102,386
GDP per person was US$102,386.3 in 2025, in current dollars, computed from the Bureau of Economic Analysis's GDP and the Census Bureau's population estimate.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, GDP by state, 2025 update (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
1.3%
Real GDP growth was 1.3 percent in 2025, as the Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes it.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, GDP by state, 2025 update (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Currency and inflation: see the United States at a glance
2. Before you set up
The body that handles foreign investment, any one-stop route, Nebraska’s limits on foreign ownership, the zones and other rules for investors, as the guide found them.
SelectUSA names the Nebraska Department of Economic Development as the state economic development organization for Nebraska.
Source: SelectUSA, state economic development organizations list (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Nebraska's One-Stop Business Registration Information System builds a checklist of each agency's forms, which a business then files with each agency, so it is not a single filing portal.
Source: Nebraska.gov, one-stop business registration system (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Foreign-owned Real Estate National Security Act, enacted in Legislative Bill 1301 of 2024 and effective January 1, 2025, limits foreign ownership of Nebraska land.
Source: Nebraska Governor's Office, news release, September 11, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 11, 2024
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board's 2024 annual report lists 2 foreign-trade zones in Nebraska.
Source: Foreign-Trade Zones Board, annual report 2024, Appendix D (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
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The Department of Agriculture lists the Foreign-owned Real Estate National Security Act among the laws it administers.
Source: Nebraska Department of Agriculture, laws and regulations list (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The governor's office says the act cuts ownership exemptions for foreign adversaries, requires national security agreements before land acquisitions, and gives the Attorney General and the Department of Agriculture enforcement. Read the statute text first.
Source: Nebraska Governor's Office, news release, September 11, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 11, 2024
The governor's office says the 2024 land act updated Nebraska's earlier foreign land ownership language, some of which dated to 1889.
Source: Nebraska Governor's Office, news release, September 11, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 11, 2024
Legislative Bill 1120 of 2024 requires buyers of real estate in eight named western counties near military installations to attest they have no ties to federally identified foreign adversaries.
Source: Nebraska Governor's Office, news release, September 11, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 11, 2024
Since October 1, 2025, Legislative Bill 644 (section 31) bars any foreign adversarial company from receiving benefits under any Nebraska incentive program.
Source: Nebraska Department of Revenue, 2025 legislative changes (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Legislative Bill 644 of 2025 also created the Foreign Adversary and Terrorist Agent Registration Act, which the governor says aims at knowing who represents foreign adversaries in Nebraska.
Source: Nebraska Governor's Office, news release, June 25, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 25, 2025
A 2026 act (Legislative Bill 1096, operative July 18, 2026) stops a parent company losing incentive eligibility through a subsidiary, but requires apportioning benefits away from adversarial group members.
Source: Nebraska Department of Revenue, 2026 legislative changes (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Department of Revenue notice lists the foreign adversaries as defined on April 1, 2025: China including Hong Kong and Macau, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and the Maduro regime.
Source: Nebraska Department of Revenue, foreign adversarial company notice (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Investment rules across the United States: see Invest in the United States
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Nebraska
- Use the One-Stop Business Registration Information System to build a checklist of state filings; it has a path for a business already established elsewhere.Nebraska.govOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Nebraska.gov, one-stop business registration system (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- A business formed outside Nebraska files an Application for Certificate of Authority with the Secretary of State.Nebraska Secretary of StateUS$110 in person; US$100 onlineOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Nebraska Secretary of State, business forms and fees (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Register with the Department of Revenue online, or on Form 20, if the business will have employees, make retail sales or lease property.Nebraska Department of RevenueIdentification number at once online, or contact within five business daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Nebraska Department of Revenue, starting a business (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- If the business will have employees, register with the Department of Labor for unemployment insurance.Nebraska Department of LaborOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Nebraska Department of Economic Development, start a business (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 3 more set-up steps
- Search the state License and Inspection Portal for the license or registration your activity needs, since Nebraska has no general business license.State of NebraskaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: State of Nebraska, license and inspection portal (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Before you build or change a facility, ask the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment's one-stop program which environmental permits apply.Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and EnvironmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, one-stop permits (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- File the biennial or annual report with the Secretary of State on the due date for your entity type.Nebraska Secretary of StateOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Nebraska Secretary of State, annual and biennial reports (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Steps that apply across the United States: see Invest in the United States
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with Economic Development Department. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
State economic development agency
Economic Development Department
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Supports business starts, expansions and location decisions, and promotes Nebraska as a place for business.
State business filings office
Secretary of State
Nebraska Secretary of State
Records business formation and foreign registration filings and issues apostilles for Nebraska documents.
Visit Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)Source: Nebraska Secretary of State, new business information (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Revenue Department
Nebraska Department of Revenue
Registers businesses for state taxes, administers state tax incentives and publishes tax law changes.
Visit Revenue Department (opens in a new tab)Source: Nebraska Department of Revenue, starting a business (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
State wheat commodity board
NWB
Nebraska Wheat Board
Invests the state's wheat checkoff in international market development, including bringing overseas buyers to see Nebraska's wheat supply chain.
Visit NWB (opens in a new tab)Source: Nebraska Wheat Board, news item, July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 1, 2026
- Get advice
International trade association
MITA
Midwest International Trade Association
Regional body
Runs seminars, networking events and conferences for companies that import and export in the Omaha area and the Midwest.
Visit MITA (opens in a new tab)Source: Midwest International Trade Association, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Reserved sectors
The Foreign-owned Real Estate National Security Act took effect January 1, 2025, and limits foreign ownership of Nebraska land.
What to do: Read the statute and check your owners against it before you choose a site.
Sources: Nebraska Governor's Office, news release, September 11, 2024 (opens in a new tab); Nebraska Department of Agriculture, laws and regulations list (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Incentive eligibility
Since October 1, 2025, a foreign adversarial company may not receive benefits from any Nebraska incentive program, and a 2026 act changed how parent companies are treated.
What to do: Check your ownership against the Department of Revenue notice before you apply for an incentive.
Sources: Nebraska Department of Revenue, foreign adversarial company notice (opens in a new tab); Nebraska Department of Revenue, 2026 legislative changes (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
State revenue forecast
On October 30, 2026 the forecasting board added US$23.2 million to this year's General Fund receipts but cut US$89.6 million for 2027-28 and US$276.3 million for 2028-29.
What to do: Confirm current incentive and tax programs with the Department of Economic Development before you budget.
Source: Nebraska Governor's Office, revenue forecast release, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Business filing system change
The Secretary of State moves business filings to a new online system on December 7, 2026, and the new system requires an account.
What to do: Check the Secretary of State notice before you file near that date.
Source: Nebraska Secretary of State, new online filing system (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
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Corporate tax path
Nebraska's corporate income tax rate is 4.55 percent for tax years beginning in 2026 and falls to 3.99 percent from January 1, 2027.
What to do: Confirm the current rate with the Department of Revenue before you model costs.
Source: Nebraska Department of Revenue, 2023 legislative changes (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Across the United States: see Worth knowing in Invest in the United States
6. How Promote:Global helps
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Promote:Nebraska is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 3, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.