Strength in manufacturing sector expected to boost Nebraska economy

June 8, 2018, 4:02 a.m. ·

Strength in manufacturing and other areas is expected to offset weakness in the agriculture sector, a new economic forecast says.

The forecast, published by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Bureau of Business Research and Nebraska Business Forecast Council, highlights growth in several areas of the state’s economy.

According to Bureau of Business Research director Eric Thompson, several industries within the state are poised to see an increase in job growth in the coming years.

“The good news is that the industrial sector in Nebraska, outside of agriculture, so industries like manufacturing and construction, should be adding jobs at a healthy pace over the next three years,” Thompson said.

The services sector, including health care, is expected to add between 4,800 and 6,100 jobs each year.

These thriving industries are expected to make up for lagging farm income, which is expected to dip by nearly 7 percent this fall. However, farm income is expected to rise in 2019 and 2020, approximately five percent each year.