In 2020, five statewide manufacturing groups pledged to join forces and coordinate their individual efforts to grow manufacturing and STEM workforce in Nebraska over the next decade.
The “NE Manufacturing Alliance” is comprised of:
The “NE Manufacturing Alliance” is comprised of:
The Alliance will bring efficiency and alignment to several programs designed to help:
- equip and educate a
tech-enabled workforce |
- promote
manufacturing as a re-emerging high- tech career path for Nebraska students |
- deepen relationships
among manufacturers to build supply-chain depth |
- usher in a new age of
research, development and Manufacturing 4.0 tech advancement |
- advocate for
policies that promote manufacturing growth |
- provide member
education, training and networking |
The Alliance embraces the economic development priorities put forth in the Blueprint Nebraska report, Growing the Good Life. The report identified 15 signature initiatives with the broadest and deepest impact on statewide quality of life, overall job growth, attracting 18-34-year-olds and the cost of living and doing business in the state. The plan also included a strong focus on growth of key business sectors across Nebraska by accelerating the adoption of technology and unlocking innovation in key industries like agriculture and manufacturing.
TESTIMONIALS
“This Alliance will help highlight the importance of manufacturing in the state of Nebraska as we prepare for future growth and partner with education and business leaders to advocate for advanced technical skills training and continuous learning to increase the pipeline of a skilled workforce across the state.” Phil Raimondo President and CEO, Behlen Manufacturing 
“Manufacturing is one of the most high-tech industries in the world. As manufacturers, we have not done a great job of promoting our high-tech careers or utilizing our technology to the extent we can. Manufacturing can offer exciting high-tech careers with lots of opportunity and potential. These careers will lead to job growth as we adopt and implement the technology that grows our businesses.
Scott Volk, Vice President and COO, MetalQuest Unlimited; Chair-elect Nebraska Manufacturing Advisory Council (NeMAC) “Stronger together. That’s the new mantra of this group of energized Nebraska manufacturing leaders. The growth and advancement of one of our top industries is constrained – particularly by available talent. To make great strides, we need a great team. Creating this alliance is the beginning of a one-voice/one vision path to progress.”
Bryan Slone, President, NE Chamber - Nebraska’s affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers |
“Manufacturing is part of the fabric of our communities. It supports our producers and provides good-paying jobs. The stability of the sector has helped bring us through the pandemic. And now, manufacturing is playing the critical role of tech-accelerator. It’s time to up our ante in this sector.”
Jim Smith, President, Blueprint Nebraska; Chair, Nebraska Advanced Manufacturing Coalition (NAMC) 
“Our work ethic makes manufacturing special in Nebraska. The alliance is a collaborative effort to help grow Nebraska. A strong manufacturing base makes a stronger state. The Nebraska MEP is part of the MEP National Network, known as the go-to experts for advancing U.S. manufacturing. We believe in the future of manufacturing and are committed to help train and support the next generation of manufacturing companies and their employees.”
Matt Allmand, Director, Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership, University of Nebraska – Lincoln (Nebraska MEP) 
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