City economic development partners presented a target-industry analysis and an update on active recruitment projects, including ongoing, loosely advanced talks with a bio aviation fuel company.

Chris Benson of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development recognized Beatrice as an Economic Development Certified Community and congratulated local partners. Rachel, representing Engage (the local economic development organization), presented a quarter-four report and a target-industry analysis prepared by the Nebraska Public Power District. The report analyzes top industries by employment, fastest-growing industries, declining sectors and a supply-chain breakdown across a trade area that excluded Lancaster County to avoid skewing results.

Rachel said the analysis identifies advanced manufacturing, food processing, ag manufacturing and machine manufacturing among the community’s target industries, and noted local gaps in professional services such as legal, bookkeeping and accounting. She told the council the report’s supply-chain analysis could help pinpoint businesses that would improve local quality of life and support recruitment.

Council members asked how often the report is produced and how NPPD assembled it; Rachel said the analysis was prepared by NPPD economist Melissa Trueblood, Ph.D., and was provided after staff discussed geographic parameters. Rachel said the analysis is available to other NPPD wholesale customers upon request.

Council members also pressed for prioritized targets and actionable next steps rather than a long list. Rachel said staff will use the analysis alongside the city’s industrial site study to refine priorities and that some targets — for example, data centers — may be de-emphasized if infrastructure (electrical capacity) is constrained.

On active recruitment, Rachel said negotiations with a bio aviation fuel company are “still in very loose negotiations,” and that progress depends heavily on federal tax credits, legislation and carbon capture pipeline developments. She said city staff and partners are continuing outreach, including meetings where the company’s CEO will be present, and that the project site lies outside city limits.

Council members asked for more granular data on job gains and losses by public vs. private sectors; Rachel said she would request aggregated figures. Board members also urged that NPPD highlight near-term, high-opportunity targets so city recruitment funds can be spent selectively rather than spread thinly across many targets.