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Governor visits Sidney

Heineman speaks of state's economic success, need to hire veterans

Governor Dave Heineman thanked local employers for their contribution to Sidney's growing economy and their efforts to help veterans yesterday, at the community center.

He praised the citizens of Nebraska for being practical with their money, and not spending what they don't have.

"We've got a lot more common sense out in Nebraska than in Washington D.C.," Heineman said.

His top two priorities for the state are education and jobs, he said.

"We want to make sure we're creating jobs right here in Nebraska," Heineman explained. "Certainly you're doing a great job of that here in Sidney."

But he also mentioned that Nebraskans tend to leave the state after they graduate from college.

"We need to keep them here between the ages of 22 and 65," Heineman said. "We're doing a much better job of that."

Nebraska has a lot to offer, according to the governor. The state has good schools, a strong work ethic and affordable homes.

More than 400 companies have recently decided to expand or relocate in Nebraska, Heineman pointed out. These companies are going to invest millions of dollars and created thousands of jobs.

He spoke about the importance of investing in the future and his cabinet's contribution to education both higher education and K-12. Heineman praised the low unemployment rate in the state the second lowest of all the states, which is currently at 3.7 percent.

"The rest of the country is sitting at double what we are," Heineman noted.

To the purpose of the conference, Nebraska has been taking steps to give more support its veterans, Heineman said. There are currently four communities bidding to build a $47 million veteran's home in central Nebraska.

"The bottom line here is, as good as we've done, we've gotta do even better in the future," he said.

The governor was confidant that if businesses can attract young people to Nebraska, they will end up staying.

"Our challenge is to get them here," the governor explained. "And to get them to understand the great quality of life we have here."

The governor spoke at the community center as part of the Cheyenne Count Chamber of Commerce's community of employers meeting.

After the governor's speech, community employers received information about how to get in touch with veterans who have the skills they're looking for in an employee.

"Employers, if you want the right stuff, hire veterans," said workforce coordinator with Nebraska workforce development Gary Morgan.

He espoused the benefits of hiring veterans. They have clean records, they're highly trainable, they work well under pressure, they're detail oriented and good at team work, Morgan said.

There are also many different government programs that help veterans and those who are willing to employ them. On the job training program for vets or OJT reimburses businesses who hire veterans for their training time. Work opportunity tax credit or WOTC is a federal tax credit for employers who hire and retain veterans. NE Works is an employment tool for businesses and job seekers.

"Veterans were the strength of the military," Morgan acknowledged. "Now they can be our strength."

Michael Milikin, a representative from Veterans Upward Bound also came to talk with the crowd.

"I think that Nebraska is really good at hiring vets," Milikin said.

His organization operates out of Western Nebraska Community College and offers options like academic advising, mentoring and computer classes for vets. Upward Bound also does community service projects. They recently placed flags on veteran graves during memorial day.

"It is a bit of a transition to go from being in the military to working a regular job," Milikin said.

These groups want to bring vets and those who need dependable employees together.

"Most people are willing to hire vets, they just don't know how," Milikin observed.

Many of those in the crowd seemed interested in hiring veterans, but weren't sure how to find them.

"I just think it's good to be supportive of the entire military population," Ashley Andreas said. "They've given us so much, so from a community and a country standpoint it's good for us to be supportive as well."

 

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