Business Climate

Doing Business in Sarpy County

The business opportunities in Sarpy County have never been better. An educated labor pool and a low cost of living have all contributed to remarkable economic growth in the past decade. More and more businesses have chosen to relocate to the area, continuing this positive trend.

Economy

Sarpy County and the Greater Omaha community have what businesses are looking for to succeed in today’s economy. The area’s central location, outstanding workforce, and quality of life all come together to make Sarpy County an economically attractive choice for businesses. New building sites and office parks are available with additional sites being planned.

For more information, visit the Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation’s web site or call (402) 346-5015.

Employers

Sarpy County is home to many large employers. The Top 30 Employers include:

Nebraska Business Programs

In Nebraska, firms can now earn a series of tax credits, refunds for investment and new job creation and training dollars. For more information go to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development website: http://www.neded.org/ or visit with the staff to see how these various programs can be used. Listed here are just a few of the business programs available. For further explanation on these programs and information on programs available contact the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

Employment Expansion and Investment Incentive Act (LB270) is designed for smaller employers who invest at least $75,000 and increase employment by at least 2 new full-time equivalent positions.

Enterprise Zone Act (LB725) offers enhanced incentives for firms, which locate within one of the state's specified Enterprise Zones.

Quality Jobs Act (LB829) authorizes a wage benefit credit to new employees of approved companies that add at least 500 new jobs and $50 million in new investment or 250 new jobs and $100 million in new investment. Credits can be applied toward company training programs, employee benefit programs, educational institution training programs or company workplace safety programs. Other Incentives and aspects of state tax law which provide positive investment factors for businesses are as follows:

• No property tax on business inventories including raw materials, goods in process and finished goods.
• No tax on intangibles.
• Sales tax refund for pollution control equipment.
• No sales or use tax on ingredients used in manufacturing or processing of a product destined for ultimate retail use.
• Sales tax exemption on sales of common carrier vehicles and replacement parts to recognized common carriers.
• No sales tax on water used to irrigate agricultural land or in manufacturing.
• Personal property tax depreciation schedules permitting full, 100 percent depreciation for property tax assessment purposes.

For firms engaged in international commerce, Omaha has an established general purpose Foreign Trade Zone. Goods may be exhibited, stored, assembled, used in manufacturing, or otherwise processed within the Zone, and duties are not paid until the goods enter U.S. Customs territory from the Zone. If these goods are exported, no duty or excise taxes are paid.

Sales of electricity, coal, gas, fuel oil, diesel fuel, tractor fuel, propane, coke, nuclear fuel, and butane are exempted from sales and use tax when more than 50 percent of the amount purchased is used directly in processing, manufacturing, or refining of tangible property, or in the generation of electricity.