Enterprise Zones 2.0

Problem

Several parts of Nebraska, including Omaha, suffer from greater unemployment rates than the rest of the state but the state has limited resources allocated to economic development programs.

Solution

Senator Mello authored legislation to reauthorize Nebraska’s enterprise zone statutes to encourage investment and economic growth by giving preference for projects in economically distressed communities. Rather than creating a new economic development program, this innovative idea focuses existing resources where the need is greatest for the largest economic return. By giving these areas a leg up on programs like job training and affordable housing funds, these communities are able to better prepare citizens with the skills and support they need to become self-sufficient and contribute to the state economy.

Related Ideas

Oakland80 – Oakland County’s Education Attainment Goal

Problem In 2018, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the State’s 60 by 30 initiative – a robust goal to ensure 60% of working-age Michiganders have a professional certificate or college degree by 2030. Currently, Michigan ranks 37th nationally for education attainment with significant gaps by race, ethnicity and income. Oakland […]

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CommUNITY Response Teams

Problem Chester County experienced immeasurable loss during the pandemic, including more than 800 lives and hundreds of businesses. In order to get back to where we were, and ideally have a better economy than we had previously, we need to include all corners of our community to develop long-term, forward […]

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Recent News

Washington Center for Equitable Growth: Equitable Growth joins NewDEAL Leaders to discuss child care in the post-pandemic U.S. economy

December 8, 2021

As the U.S. Congress finalizes its negotiations around the Build Back Better Act, policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels of government continue working to rebuild their respective economies in the wake of the coronavirus recession. Against this backdrop, the NewDEAL Leaders, a network of pro-growth elected progressives from state and […]

Communications Daily: States Plan for Key Role in $42.5B Broadband Program

December 1, 2021

State broadband leaders see opportunity for transformational change with at least $100 million coming to each state from the infrastructure law’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. States are in planning stages as NTIA prepares to distribute funding, said officials and other experts in interviews after President Joe Biden […]

Weston Today: Haskell Recognized for Student Debt Legislation

December 1, 2021

State Senator Will Haskell won national recognition on November 18 in the 2021 Ideas Challenge competition held by the NewDEAL organization. Senator Haskell won in the organization’s “Expanding Access to Education” category for his sponsorship of Connecticut’s Student Loan Repayment Tax Credit legislation, which provides a corporate tax credit for […]

Heath Mello