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Business Park Propels GI's Growth Toward I-80
This week, Murphy Tractor broke ground on Grand Island's Wildwood Business Park, a project of Chamber member Chief Construction. The park, which sits near Highway 281, offers large lot commercial parcels. The development is helping propel Grand Island's growth south towards I-80, NTV reports.
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GI's Building Permits Worth $228M in 2023
Grand Island set a new valuation record for commercial and residential building permits in 2023. According to updated information compiled by the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corp., the value of building permits issued last year exceeded $228.2 million. The number of permits exceeded 1,800 for the fourth straight year.
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National Publication Spotlights Grand Island
Liveability, which focuses on smaller and mid-sized cities, has put Grand Island in the national spotlight, thanks to its top-10 list of things to do for new GI residents. Several Chamber partners are mentioned in the article.
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GI City Council OKs Matching Grants for Housing
The Grand Island City Council this week approved the use of the LB840 funds to provide a 25% match to ensure the city can utilize more than $1.2 million from the state's rural workforce housing grant. The funds will be used to encourage developers to revitalize, rehabilitate, and construct more workforce housing.
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CHI Health St. Francis Names New President
Grand Island's largest hospital is turning to the leader of a four-hospital region in Kansas City as its new president. CHI Health St. Francis announced Steve Schieber will start May 12, reports say.
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Grand Island Chamber’s Voter Toolkit
Fewer than 20 days remain until Nebraska's primary election on May 14. To ensure the voice of business is heard, the GI Chamber has assembled a voter toolkit to help members do the following:
For local elections, see the Hall County Election Commission site and this list of candidates. In the race to represent a large portion of Grand Island in the Legislature, incumbent District 35 Sen. Ray Aguilar will face former state lawmaker Dan Quick in November.
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What's Behind Rising Electricity Prices?
A new U.S. Chamber interactive map shows how electricity prices varied widely from state to state in 2023. Red tape, including U.S. EPA regulations targeting electric power plants, could drive prices even higher, the U.S. Chamber writes.
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EPA Unveils New Restrictions on Power Plants
The U.S. EPA has finalized four new rules that set tougher emissions limits on coal and new gas-fired power plants, taking restrictions further than the agency’s earlier proposed regulation and sparking fierce backlash from industry groups that are likely to mount a challenge in court, reports say. The U.S. Chamber says the rule would significantly restrict electricity supply.
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EPA Allows Summer Sales of E15
The U.S. EPA is issuing an emergency waiver to allow E15 to be sold this summer. The waiver will take effect May 1 so retail stations can start selling E15 on June 1. Eight Midwestern states, including Nebraska, will be allowed to sell E15 year-round in summer 2025.
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May 9 Webinar: New Rules on Overtime, Non-Competes
The Federal Trade Commission this week approved a sweeping final rule to prevent most employers from using or enforcing non-competition agreements. Chamber partner Rembolt Ludtke has published this summary.
The U.S. Department of Labor has also released its final rule to substantially increase the minimum salary requirements for executive, administrative, and professional employee exemptions from federal overtime pay requirements, as summarized here.
Rembolt Ludtke and the GI Chamber are partnering on a no-cost May 9 webinar (starting at noon) to provide Chamber members information on the new rules. Register here.
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At a Glance: OSHA's 2023 Injury Data
OSHA has released 2023 injury and illness data collected from U.S. employers. Preliminary analysis found that among occupational injury and illness cases reported to OSHA:
- 90% were injuries;
- 5% were skin conditions, poisonings, or other illnesses;
- 4% were respiratory diseases; and
- 1% were hearing loss.
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'Magic Number' for Retirement Keeps Rising
According to research from Northwestern Mutual, U.S. employees now say they will need $1.46 million to retire comfortably, a 15% hike since last year -- and a 53% surge from the $951,000 target in 2020. The study found Baby Boomers on average have $120,300 saved for retirement, Gen X employees have $108,600, Millennials have $62,600, and Gen Z has $22,800.
For retirement planning help, check out the Chamber's directory.
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Ways to Reduce Workplace Theft
From an effective compliance and ethics program, to video surveillance, there are steps employers can take to combat workplace theft, according to experts interviewed by SHRM. The experts say when theft occurs, it should be reported to law enforcement for insurance purposes and to serve as a deterrent against future theft.
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Manufacturing Roundup: Average Hourly Earnings Soar
- Area Development magazine's latest annual survey of site selection consultants shows 96% of respondents worked on manufacturing projects, as manufacturing dominates the economic development space nationwide.
- The National Association of Manufacturers has blasted the FTC's rule banning non-competes, as well as the Biden administration's new overtime rule.
- Food companies aren't ready to comply with the FDA's traceability rule, says a former agency official.
- The average hourly earnings of all goods-producing employees in Nebraska soared from $24.97 in January 2020 to $31.27 as of March 2024.
- Durable manufacturing wages and salaries in Nebraska are approaching $3.3 billion, up from $2.6 billion before COVID-19.
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Study: States With Highest Home Insurance Costs
Nebraska is among the states with the highest average home-insurance costs, according to a recent report. In Nebraska, the average annual premium for a dwelling coverage amount of $250,000 was $4,745, or 170% higher than the U.S. average, the study found.
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Spike in Business Insurance Renewal Rates
A new study shows a year-over-year spike in business insurance premium renewal rates for all major commercial lines of business except workers’ compensation. The average premium renewal rate change for commercial property increased during Q1 2024 at 10.52%.
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Cost of Taxes Over a Lifetime
The average American pays $524,625 in taxes during their life, according to a new study. It's worse for the average Nebraskan, who pays $546,354 with nearly $260,000 going to income taxes, nearly $184,00 for property taxes, and more than $51,000 for taxes on personal items. Another $51,000 is for taxes on autos.
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Study: Latest Student Loan Cancellations Cost $559B
President Joe Biden's latest student loan cancellation plans will increase taxpayers' costs by $559 billion while benefitting households earning more than $300,000 in annual income the most, according to a new study by the University of Pennsylvania.
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5 Steps to Take Immediately if Your Business Is Hacked
Cyberattacks cripple company operations, but swift action can reduce damage. The U.S. Chamber has published this guidance on how to respond to a security incident at your business.
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CCC Named a Top Military-Friendly School
Central Community College has been ranked second in the 2024-25 Military Friendly School comparison for small community colleges. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-25 survey.
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4 Ways AI Can Help Boost Workplace Retention
Employers can leverage artificial intelligence to boost workplace retention, experts say. From recruiting and onboarding to employee engagement, see these four ways to use AI to boost your retention.
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More Employers Looking at Child Care Assistance
To help with employee recruitment, more businesses are offering child care assistance as an employee perk, according to the U.S. Chamber. Businesses are often subsidizing employees' child care bills or negotiating discounts with local child care providers.
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