Gov. Heineman Concludes Statewide Tour
with Stops Touting Higher Education, University
(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman concluded his end-of-session tour of the state with stops at two University of Nebraska campuses. The Governor was joined by University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken at news conferences stressing the growing link between state government, the NU system and statewide economic development efforts.
“If we want to grow enrollments in Lincoln, Kearney and Omaha, we must work together to grow the state of Nebraska,” Gov. Heineman said. “And if our goal is to grow local economies across this great state we must ensure the University of Nebraska remains strong and viable.”
The Governor praised Milliken’s leadership in the economic development arena, emphasizing his willingness to work with state and business community leaders to help promote Nebraska as a potential home for new companies and those looking to expand by sharing what NU and higher education have to offer prospective businesses – whether in planning for new ventures, or relocation and expansion efforts.
Gov. Heineman also touted the state’s growing commitment to higher education. This was the first year that Nebraska’s higher education institutions received increases in funding in several years, with the NU system receiving general fund appropriations over the course of the two-year budget totaling more than $880 million, up nearly $56 million over the previous biennium budget.
“Investing in the students who will make up the workforce of tomorrow is vital to the future of Nebraska,” Gov. Heineman said. “My hope is that the increased appropriations we were able to secure this session will help offset the increasing costs of a college education.”
Some of the projects funded by the state budget include an additional $2 million in each of the next two years for research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), another $2 million each year in state funds for the Research Center of Excellence II at UNMC, and $4.6 million for the start of renovations at the College of Public Affairs and Community Service at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
President Milliken said, “We live in an increasingly global and knowledge-based economy; one in which our country’s and our state’s ability to be competitive, to enjoy the standard of living we desire, is based on our ability to innovate.”
The expanded commitment to higher education also includes $15 million for job training that will be allocated to institutions like NU. The job training funding is in addition to vital legislation passed this session. The Nebraska Advantage jobs-creation package created by LB 312 and LB 90, positions the state to grow its tax base by an estimated 57,000 jobs over the next eight years according to the UNL Bureau of Business Research.
“Like most parents of college students, I want to make sure we provide our children the best education possible,” Gov. Heineman said. “Innovation is key to success in this era of global trade and competition, and the University of Nebraska is an important partner in our efforts to attract new companies, expand existing businesses and train the workforce of the 21st century.”
The Governor also applauded Milliken’s recent appointment of Pete Kotsiopulos as the vice president for university affairs. Kotsiopulos, whose appointment requires confirmation by the NU Board of Regents, is a businessman and former Kearney mayor. President Milliken has said that one of the new vice president’s roles will be to focus on economic development.
Research was another important focus of today’s news conferences. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, every $1 million of external research funding translates into 30 jobs in Nebraska. Last year NU brought in more than $250 million in state, federal and private research funds, which according to the federal formula translates to nearly 7,500 jobs.
President Milliken said, “In Nebraska, our public university has a history of serving the state, and we will continue to pursue the research, education, and outreach that contributes to the strength of the entire state. We are grateful for the investment that the state is making in the University of Nebraska this year. I believe it will pay huge dividends for Nebraska’s economic future.”
In earlier stops this week, the Governor visited Grand Island and North Platte to discuss entrepreneurial communities, community colleges and local communities as models of growth for the state. His visit to Chadron emphasized the importance of state colleges to Nebraska’s future, while a stop at Trenton’s ethanol plant highlighted the rural component of the jobs-creation package. Visits to hospitals in Lexington and Broken Bow focused on the importance of rural access to quality healthcare, and at a stop in South Sioux City Beef Products Inc. announced plans for a 200-job expansion, citing Nebraska’s improved business climate. The Governor also attended a celebration held in Bayard to honor the state quarter selection.
“I want to see our entire state succeed and that’s why comprehensive jobs creation and economic development are so vital to the future our children and grandchildren will inherit,” Gov. Heineman said.
