Ricketts Op-Ed: Nebraska is best state in manufacturing

The following op-ed by U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) was originally published by the Omaha World Herald on October 22, 2026.

October is Manufacturing Month. Manufacturing is Nebraska's second-largest economic sector. It contributes over $20 billion to our annual gross domestic product. One in ten Nebraska jobs are tied directly to this vital industry.

Over 97,000 Nebraskans head to work in a factory, shop or plant. These Nebraskans aren't just earning a paycheck. They're building a future for their families. They're strengthening our communities. They're driving our state's economy.

As Governor, and now as your U.S. Senator, my mission has always been to serve Nebraskans and renew opportunity. Often, that means encouraging businesses to make Nebraska their home. New investments bring jobs. That means higher wages and good work. Business development broadens our tax base. That means better government services and lower taxes.

Nebraskans are the best, most dedicated workers in the world. When new businesses see hard-working Nebraskans, they remain committed to our great state.

As Governor, my team and I worked hard to grow Nebraska. We created a business-friendly environment so that existing Nebraska companies would want to expand. We worked with local communities to welcome companies that were considering investing in Nebraska. We focused on developing our workforce, commonsense regulation and lower taxes. We passed the ImagiNE Nebraska Act to encourage companies to grow here. We led the nation three years in a row for the most economic development projects as companies invested and created jobs.

I also encouraged start-up companies like Sustainable Beef in North Platte. Last March, I joined the ribboncutting of Sustainable Beef. It processes about 1,500 head of cattle per day. The company has created 1,000 goodpaying jobs. It also represents Nebraska-led competition in the meat-packing industry. This helps our ranchers get better prices for their cattle.

Recently I joined a ribboncutting for one of the projects supported by ImagiNE Nebraska. A new, state-of-the-art facility at Adams Land & Cattle in Broken Bow will convert cattle manure into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas (RNG). The feedlot is already preparing cattle for market. With this project, enough RNG will be produced each year to meet the needs of about 20,000 households. RNG helps economic development in rural communities and increases the nation's fuel diversity.

Last year Senate Republicans passed the Working Families Tax Cuts. This law encourages manufacturers to invest in new and expanded facilities. Our manufacturing growth is bolstering our largest community - agriculture. Our farmers and ranchers shouldn't have to depend on foreign countries for the fertilizer they need. Project Meadowlark in Gothenburg will produce more than half a million tons of American-made nitrogen fertilizer a year. This $1.2 billion plant will bring good, high-paying jobs to Dawson County. Nebraska farmers have invested more than $60 million of their own money to make it happen.

The Working Families Tax Cuts also made it more affordable to purchase new equipment and fund research and development. Nebraskans have already seen the impact of this.

Beckton Dickinson (BD) is a medical device company with sites in Broken Bow, Holdrege and Columbus. They just announced a $1 billion investment in Nebraska. BD already employs over 2,700 Nebraskans across three locations. This investment will create more jobs and strengthen the local communities. It allows Nebraskans to continue playing an important role in bolstering the U.S. healthcare system.

Manufacturing in Nebraska is also strengthening our national security and warfighters. NioCorp's Elk Creek Project is returning critical mineral production to the U.S. When I was Governor, I nominated this project to the White House to make it a high priority. Since then, I've continued to be a voice in Washington and across Nebraska to ensure this project succeeds. With NioCorp, minerals and alloys for fighter jets and naval ships no longer need to come from Communist China.

Nebraska is the greatest place in the world to do business. Nebraskans are the best workers. Nebraska is a hub for American manufacturing. From energy to Sustainable Beef, and national defense to healthcare, our state is playing a critical role. We celebrate these contributions to American manufacturing this month and always.

Pete Ricketts is a U.S. senator from Nebraska.