Today, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) awarded $414,706 of matching funds for 16 talent recruitment proposals through the state’s Good Life Is Calling campaign. The agency received innovative proposals from a diversity of organizations, including colleges and universities, chambers of commerce, city and county governments, an economic development organization, a nonprofit, and businesses.
“Our state is experiencing strong economic momentum,” said DED Director K.C. Belitz. “Nebraska’s employers are looking to hire, and communities have plenty of career opportunities to offer. DED is excited to partner with organizations statewide on creative initiatives to promote the Good Life and recruit new residents to Nebraska.”
DED awarded proposals under three separate funding opportunities:
- The Nebraska Talent Attraction Initiative, which provides matching funds to undertake innovative approaches to recruit out-of-state talent.
- The Nebraska Brand Together Initiative, which provides matching funds for co-branded, talent attraction marketing initiatives between DED and communities/employers.
- The Nebraska Thrive & Retain Initiative, which provides matching funds to develop innovative projects that enhance workforce engagement and encourage retention of new Nebraskans.
The awarded proposals are listed below by initiative.
| Talent Attraction Initiative – February 2025 Awards | |
| Awardee | Award Amount |
| Cheyenne County Chamber Foundation | $12,500 |
| Greater Omaha Chamber | $35,000 |
| Marble Technologies (Lincoln, NE) | $15,000 |
| Midland University | $85,000 |
| South Sioux City | $50,000 |
| York County Development Corporation | $47,800 |
| Total | $245,300 |
| Thrive & Retain Initiative – February 2025 Awards | |
| Awardee | Award Amount |
| Cheyenne County Chamber Foundation | $5,000 |
| Hastings College | $50,000 |
| Knox County | $5,000 |
| Lincoln Literacy | $14,406 |
| Total | $74,406 |
| Brand Together Initiative – February 2025 Awards | |
| Awardee | Award Amount |
| Boone County | $8,000 |
| Cheyenne County Chamber Foundation | $12,000 |
| Falls City | $6,000 |
| Greater Omaha Chamber | $40,000 |
| JT Martin | $9,000 |
| Major Talent | $20,000 |
| Total | $95,000 |
About The Good Life Is Calling Campaign
In 2021, DED fully launched The Good Life Is Calling to promote the state’s quality of life and abundant career opportunities. During its initial phase, the campaign successfully heightened Nebraska’s visibility and generated favorable impressions of the state. In 2024, the Legislature approved the Governor’s funding request to launch the next phase of the campaign. With this support, DED has begun targeted, data-driven recruitment of out-of-state talent. Recognizing that collaboration is crucial to the campaign’s success, DED is forging people-attraction partnerships with key stakeholders to showcase all that Nebraska has to offer.
For information about the Good Life Is Calling campaign, go to https://thegoodlifeiscalling.com/ or contact ded.goodlife@nebraska.gov.