Walkability Assessment

A community’s walk score is determined by analyzing 3 factors: walkable distance between boundaries, the presence of a comprehensive network of pathways designed for pedestrians and cyclists, and the variety of restaurants, retailers, and service providers necessary for regular life. North Platte has scored 80 and it is determined to be 'very walkable'.

Housing

The results of the 2025 Housing Study for Lincoln County and North Platte have been released.  The study was authorized by five funding partners, including the Chamber, to get the facts, statistical analysis and future recommendations on addressing housing issues in our community.  It was prepared by Marvin Planning Consultants. For a copy of that study, please click on the following link. For comparison, the results of the 2018 Housing Study for Lincoln County and North Platte are also attached.

Labor

Working with partners such as Nebraska Public Power District, we are able to determine who and where our labor force is traveling from and the segments it is derived of. This report was published in August 2025 by Economist Melissa Trueblood. Government, Healthcare, Transportation/Warehousing, and Retail continue to be the top industries in Lincoln County, while Accommodations & Food Services comes in a strong 5th.  

For additional labor force information, please visit the Nebraska Department of Labor, Workforce Development site.

www.dol.nebraska.gov

Tax Increment Financing

This is a method of funding public improvements associated with private developments in designated "blighted or substandard" areas of a community. First class cities in Nebraska like North Platte can designate up to 35 percent of their property, provided the property meets the definition of substandard and blighted as defined by the Community Development Law. Villages in Lincoln County can designate up to 100 percent of their city limits as TIF eligible.

Projects requesting tax increment financing assistance can do so in blight zones. If any area has not been designated a substandard and blighted zone, a survey study can be done with consideration of its approval going before the Planning Commission and City Council in two separate public meetings. Once it is approved, projects may be eligible for the TIF assistance, but each project must stand on its own merit with approval steps involved with the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA), Planning Commission and City Council. Please contact the city administration for applications and the process needed for approval.

The program captures the projected increase in property tax revenue to pay off bonds used to pay for the public infrastructure improvements used to provide developments in blighted areas to help keep the cost of the development down and make the project viable. The private development’s maximum capture period is 15 years. For more information on Tax Increment Financing, please visit our Incentives page and view the local incentive link, or contact gary@nparea.com

Nebraska Tax Increment Financing Report - produced for Nebraska Economic Developers Association, March 2018
NE TIF Report Appendix C- Community Impacts

State Incentives

ImagiNE Nebraska was created with small and large businesses in mind. Whether you are expanding your business or relocating to Nebraska, let us help you ImagiNE the possibilities.

ImagiNE, a program that is:

• Simplified for ease of compliance
• Scaled for small to large businesses
• Designed to help you train and recruit talent
• Available statewide and throughout multiple industries
• Streamlined to help you save time and cost

More information at https://imagine.nebraska.gov/

Job Training Services & Incentives

1. Nebraska Customized Job Training Program

• Provides State training assistance on a reimbursement basis for projects that create new jobs and offer an opportunity for economic development in Nebraska
• Eligible activities may include, but are not limited to, manufacturing, processing, warehousing/distribution, data processing and headquarter locations
• Training assistance targeted for full-time production positions
• Eligible costs may include instructor fees, books, materials and limited on-the-job training
• Positions created must offer salaries that meet or exceed the local average wage for similar positions with a competitive benefits package
• Typical reimbursement is $250 TO $1,000 per job

2. Mid-Plains Community College Career Assessment and Training Center

• National-known assessment center assists private business in identifying necessary skill sets for selected positions
• Pre-testing of applicants is available for a nominal fee
• Negotiable rate structure available for specific employee training programs conducted at the College or on-site at a business
• Listing of current and past satisfied clients is readily available

3. Workforce Attraction Grant

• Chamber & Development provides initial funding to support an employee recruitment campaign
• Funding to be utilized for local and state advertising sources, including newspaper, radio, television, billboards, Internet, job fairs, etc.
• Special consideration given to positions that offer above average pay for comparable positions in the area
• Level of funding at the discretion of the Chamber & Development Board of Directors

North Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureau Sports Tourism Strategic Planning Program

The North Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureau partnered with Huddle Up Group to develop a plan focused on Sports Tourism for our area. 
The sports tourism industry has grown consistently over the past 20 years. Studies show that the grass roots portion of this market is worth more than $11.4 billion annually to the domestic economy. Whether you use the National Recreation and Park Association spending estimate ($85 per person per day), the 2011 National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) study ($208 per person per day), or the Destinations International (DI) economic impact calculator, the value of this niche market is palpable.

View the Sports Tourism Study here.

Links to other sites

City of North Platte
NE Department of Economic Development
NPPD - Economic Development
State of Nebraska