Nebraska Department of Economic Development

What Nebraska Department of Economic Development does

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) is the State of Nebraska's lead economic development agency, established in 1967 and headquartered in Lincoln with a satellite office in Omaha. The agency administers more than 50 grant programs and initiatives spanning community development, affordable housing, business innovation, workforce development, and international trade. Core program lines include the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF), the Business Innovation Act portfolio (NIF Prototype Grants, SBIR/STTR matching, Seed Investment), the Nebraska NEXT talent attraction initiative, and the Intern Nebraska grant program. Underlying technology includes the LocationOne Information System (LOIS) statewide site/building database, the AmpliFund grant management platform, and the Nebraska Bottom LiNE economic monitoring dashboard.

DED operates a field-based service model with regional representatives deployed across Nebraska's six regions and maintains foreign trade offices in Japan and Germany to support international business development. The agency serves four primary segments: businesses of all sizes (recruitment, expansion, international trade), communities (certification programs, planning grants, CDBG), housing developers and nonprofits (NAHTF, HOME, Rural Workforce Housing Fund), and talent (veterans, students, professionals via Nebraska NEXT). GTM is delivered through direct field outreach, a self-serve AmpliFund portal, and a partner ecosystem including NBDC, Invest Nebraska, SourceLink Nebraska, LPED, NMotion, and the Greater Omaha Chamber. Rather than earning commercial revenue, DED distributes state and federal appropriations to eligible recipients, with the Business Innovation Act program recently restored to $15 million annually and an additional $1 million allocated for nuclear facility siting feasibility work.

Name

Nebraska Department of Economic Development

Legal name

Nebraska Department of Economic Development

Website

https://opportunity.nebraska.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development is the state lead economic development agency, administering 50+ grant programs across business innovation, affordable housing, community development, workforce, and international trade for Nebraska businesses, communities, and housing developers, funded by state and federal appropriations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

State Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Economic Programs (926), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Intergovernmental Affairs & Federal Grants Administration (BPAIAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Economic Growth, Trade & Private Sector Development Programs (BPADABAF), Rural, Tribal & Special-Population Housing Programs (FSALAKAL)

Keywords

• State economic development services
• Government grant administration
• Business development incentives
• Affordable housing programs
• Talent attraction initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Administration: DED administers federal and state grant programs including CDBG, HOME, NAHTF, and various economic development incentives. The agency distributes funds to eligible recipients rather than generating revenue.
2. Business Innovation Act Program: State-funded business startup program providing grants to Nebraska businesses, currently funded at $15 million annually after restoration by Governor Pillen

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development administers over 50 federal and state grant programs supporting community development, affordable housing, business innovation, workforce development, and international trade across Nebraska. The agency provides direct field-based assistance through regional representatives, manages grant distribution via the AmpliFund platform, and operates the LocationOne Information System (LOIS) for site selection. Services are delivered at no cost to eligible recipients, including municipalities, businesses, housing developers, and individuals.

Product overview

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) operates a portfolio of government programs and initiatives rather than a unified technology product. The department manages over 50 grant programs across community development, housing, business innovation, workforce development, and international trade. Key program categories include: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for community and economic development; Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) for affordable housing; Business Innovation Act programs including NIF Prototype Grants, SBIR/STTR support, and Seed Investment; workforce programs such as Nebraska NEXT talent attraction and Intern Nebraska; housing initiatives including HOME, National Housing Trust Fund, and Rural Workforce Housing Fund; and international trade programs including State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) and foreign trade offices. The department also operates the LocationOne Information System (LOIS) as a database for available sites and buildings, and uses AmpliFund as its grant management platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Federal community and economic development funding program administered by DED for non-entitlement Nebraska communities, supporting decent housing, suitable living environments, and economic opportunities.
• Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF) State fund established in 1996 to increase the supply and improve the quality of affordable housing in Nebraska, serving beneficiaries at or below 120% of Area Median Income.
• Nebraska Innovation Fund (NIF) Prototype Grants Competitive matching grant providing financial assistance to Nebraska businesses for product development.
• SBIR/STTR Grant Program Matching grant program providing financial assistance to Nebraska businesses applying for or receiving Federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants.
• Nebraska NEXT Statewide talent attraction event strategy connecting people with purpose, place, and opportunity as part of the Good Life Is Calling campaign, targeting veterans, college students, alumni, and professionals.
• LocationOne Information System (LOIS) Statewide database system for available sites and buildings, featuring ESRI reports, search criteria, and interactive map layers for businesses seeking locations in Nebraska.
• Intern Nebraska Program providing grants to businesses and non-profits creating new internships within Nebraska.
• State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Program to increase the number of small Nebraska businesses exporting internationally and increase export values.
• Rural Workforce Housing Fund (RWHF) Matching grants to reduce the cost of workforce housing in Nebraska's rural communities.
• Nebraska Seed Investment Program Investments in Nebraska businesses for commercialization of products or processes.

Quantifiable outcome

• $6 private investment returned for every $1 of state BIA funds spent
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Scott Data (Scott Data's incubator program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScott Data's incubator program in Omaha houses startups including Poll The Vote, providing office space and infrastructure support for early-stage companies.
• NMotion powered by gener8torcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMotion, powered by gener8tor, organizes the Gr8er Plains Summit to encourage venture capital investment in Midwest startups, collaborating with DED and other partners.
• Greater Omaha ChambercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the Gr8er Plains Summit and partner in economic development initiatives throughout the Omaha metropolitan area.
• UNeTechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Nebraska Omaha technology transfer organization collaborating on startup ecosystem development and the Gr8er Plains Summit.
• UNeMedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center technology transfer organization involved in the Gr8er Plains Summit organizing committee.
• NPPD (Nebraska Public Power District)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNPPD operates Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville and received $1 million in DED-administered funds to conduct nuclear plant siting feasibility study for advanced reactors.
• Nebraska DiplomatscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNebraska Diplomats is a private nonprofit that sponsors the EDCC program alongside DED and hosts the Governor's Summit banquet and awards ceremony.
• McCook Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal economic development corporation partnering with City of McCook on industrial expansion, housing initiatives, and EDCC program participation.
• City of ScottsbluffcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partnered with DED on EDCC recertification, CDBG downtown revitalization, and LB840 economic development program amendments.
• Nebraska Center JapancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorForeign trade office in Japan supporting Nebraska companies exporting to Japan and Japanese companies considering Nebraska locations.
• Nebraska Center GermanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorForeign trade office in Germany supporting Nebraska companies exporting to Germany and German companies considering Nebraska locations.
• Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLPED awarded Short Answer a $20,000 LaunchLNK grant as one of six selected businesses to expand operations in the Lincoln area.
• Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity of Nebraska Omaha center providing business planning assistance, market analysis, and SBA loan guarantees as a DED partner organization.
• Invest NebraskacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides technical assistance, microloans, and early-stage investment including angel and venture capital as a DED partner for startup support.
• SourceLink NebraskacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne-stop shop connecting Nebraska entrepreneurs and business owners with resources from multiple partners to find the right resource at the right time.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC): Indiana's public-private economic development organization administering tax incentives, grants, and site selection support. Comparable in mandate but operates at a larger budget scale and with a more aggressive incentive structure.
• Ohio Department of Development: Ohio's state economic development agency administering large-scale business incentives, brownfield programs, and community development. Comparable in mandate but at materially larger budget and program scale than Nebraska DED.
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO): Illinois's state economic development agency administering business incentives, workforce, and community development programs. Comparable in scope as a Midwest state agency, but with significantly larger budget scale.

Direct peers

• Missouri Department of Economic Development: Missouri's lead economic development agency operating tax credit, workforce, and community programs. Direct peer with similar program portfolio and state-agency structure.
• Iowa Economic Development Authority: Iowa's state-level economic development agency administering tax incentives, grants, and business recruitment programs. Directly comparable as a neighboring Plains-state agency with similar mandate to grow jobs, support communities, and attract business investment.
• South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development: South Dakota's state economic development office administering the GOED and related programs including the famous reinvestment payment incentive. Directly comparable as a neighboring rural Plains-state peer.
• Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED): Minnesota's combined employment and economic development agency administering business, community, and workforce programs. Comparable as a Midwest state agency with similar broad economic development mandate.
• Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT): Colorado's state economic development and international trade office. Comparable as a state-level agency administering incentives, international trade, and innovation programs.
• Kansas Department of Commerce: Kansas's state economic development agency administering business recruitment, workforce, and community development programs. Comparable in scope and rural/Plains-state context to Nebraska DED.

Regional players

• Wyoming Business Council: Wyoming's state economic development organization operating in a smaller, resource-based economy. Comparable in rural-state context and broad economic development mandate, though serving a different regional economy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DevelopNebraska
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/nebraskaded
• Facebookfacebook.com/DevelopNebraska
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/developnebraska
• Instagraminstagram.com/nebraskagoodlife

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nebraska Department of Economic Development