Infrastructure funding eyed as path to development of Nebraska’s workforce
While Nebraska’s population and diversity are growing, Robinson said, young people are leaving the state.
“If they leave Nebraska to go to college,” he said, “it’s hard to get them back.”
Employers may need to also examine themselves, some participants in the forum suggested.
“Are employers the problem?” one man asked.
“I can’t find people for jobs, but maybe it’s I can’t find people at wages I’m willing to pay,” a participant suggested.
The economic issue for the next 10 to 15 years will be labor and technology, Slone said.
“By far, the biggest issue in our communities is the people issue.”
Housing, education and child care are top priorities, Slone said, along with health care, recreation and infrastructure.
A Nebraska Chamber of Commerce survey showed that 92 percent of community business participants listed workforce challenges as the No. 1 issue.
Housing concerns (67 percent) and education and child care (54 percent) rounded out the top three issues.
Check out new construction in Lincoln
Construction at 1222 P St.
Construction crews work on the old Swanson Russell building at 1222 P St. in downtown Lincoln on Sept. 18.
48th and Leighton development
An iron worker guides an I-beam into place in June at one of the two buildings being erected at 48th Street and Leighton Avenue as part of a mixed-use project that will offer nearly 200 apartments as well as bars and restaurants.
Canopy Street construction
A multi-use development rises up on Canopy Street south of the Harris overpass in July.
Capitol construction
Particle board protects walls, doorways and flooring as the southwest corner on the first floor of the Capitol is converted into a hard-hat construction zone in late August.
Scheels Grand Opening, 9/27
The Ferris wheel ran at the Scheels grand opening on Sept. 27, 2018.
Perkins demolition
Crews demolished the Perkins restaurant on the northwest corner of 48th and O streets in late July. Chick-fil-A is building a 4,000-square-foot restaurant with double drive-through lanes on the site.
Knolls Retirement
The Knolls…
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