BUSINESS & ECONOMY

In May 1997, Nebraska manufacturing jobs had increased 1.3% over a year earlier, reaching an estimated 114,200.  However, the figure for the nation has declined.

Manufacturing is the state's second-ranked industry, behind agriculture. 

Most manufacturing sites are located in the state's most urban areas.  The counties that employ the most workers in manufacturing are:

• Douglas
• Lancaster
• Dakota
• Platte. 

Food processing is the leading type of manufacturing.

Omaha is a center for food processing, as well as health care, insurance, trade and transportation.  Livestock and grain exchanges are also located in this city.

Early explorers once described the Nebraska region as “The Great American Desert.”  They did not know that the state would later become an important region for agriculture and manufacturing.  

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