How to Qualify
ImagiNE Nebraska is designed with all businesses in mind. Businesses qualify for incentives by adding full-time equivalent employees (FTE’s) and new investment in Nebraska. To see which level best fits the needs of your business, follow the links below.
Application Levels - Quick Links |
Jobs Required |
Investment
|
| Economic Redevelopment Areas | 5 FTE | $250,000 – $1 Million |
| Manufacturing Growth and Expansion (Rural) | 5 FTE | $1 Million |
| Manufacturing Growth and Expansion (Urban) | 10 FTE | $1 Million |
| Growth and Expansion | 10 FTE | $1 Million |
| Quality Jobs | 20 FTE | None |
| Quality Jobs Investment | 30 FTE | $5 Million |
| Mega-Project | 250 FTE | $250 Million |
| Modernization | N/A | $50 Million |
- Economic Redevelopment Areas
- Manufacturing Growth and Expansion (Rural)
- Manufacturing Growth and Expansion (Urban)
- Growth and Expansion
- Quality Jobs
- Quality Jobs Investment
- Mega-Project
- Modernization
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | 5 Full Time Employees |
| Investment Required | $250,000 - $1 Million* |
| Wage Threshold | 70% NE Avg. Wage ($20.57)* |
| Qualified Locations | Limited to Economic Redevelopment AreasView Economic Redevelopment Areas Map |
| Business Activities | See Qualified Locations |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | 6% of the Avg. Wage of New Employees |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | None |
| Investment Tax Credit | 4% |
| Bonus Credit | +1% if taxpayer employs at least 3000 Nebraska-based FTEs and hire 500 new employees within seven years of change in ownership |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | None |
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | 5 Full Time Employees |
| Investment Required | $1 Million* |
| Wage Threshold | 70% NE Avg. Wage ($20.57)* |
| Qualified Locations | Limited to Counties with Populations Less Than 100,000 |
| Business Activities | Manufacturing (NAICS 31-33), including pre-production services; or services provided on aircraft brought into the state |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | 7% of the Avg. Wage of New Employees |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | None |
| Investment Tax Credit | 5% or 8% if $10,000,000 Investment |
| Bonus Credit | +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area +1% if taxpayer employs at least 3000 Nebraska-based FTEs and hire 500 new employees within seven years of change in ownership |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | None |
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | 10 Full Time Employees |
| Investment Required | $1 Million* |
| Wage Threshold | 75% NE Avg. Wage ($22.04)* |
| Qualified Locations | Limited to Counties with Populations 100,000 or Greater |
| Business Activities | Manufacturing (NAICS 31-33), including pre-production services; or services provided on aircraft brought into the state |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | 5% of the Avg. Wage of New Employees |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | None |
| Investment Tax Credit | 5% or 8% if $10,000,000 Investment |
| Bonus Credit | +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area +1% if taxpayer employs at least 3000 Nebraska-based FTEs and hire 500 new employees within seven years of change in ownership |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | None |
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | 10 Full Time Employees |
| Investment Required | $1 Million* |
| Wage Threshold | 90% NE Avg. Wage ($26.44)* |
| Qualified Locations | Single location, any county, more than one county, or statewide |
| Business Activities | See Qualified Locations |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | 4% of the Avg. Wage of New Employees |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | None |
| Investment Tax Credit | 4% |
| Bonus Credit | +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area +1% if taxpayer employs at least 3000 Nebraska-based FTEs and hire 500 new employees within seven years of change in ownership |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | None |
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | 20 Full Time Employees |
| Investment Required | None |
| Wage Threshold | 100% NE Avg. Wage ($29.38) 150% NE Avg. Wage ($44.07) 200% NE Avg. Wage ($58.76)* |
| Qualified Locations | Single location, any county, more than one county, or statewide |
| Business Activities | See Qualified Locations |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | 6% of the Avg. Wage of New Employees 8% if 150% NE Average Wage 10% if 200% NE Average Wage |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | None |
| Investment Tax Credit | None |
| Bonus Credit | +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area +1% if taxpayer employs at least 3000 Nebraska-based FTEs and hire 500 new employees within seven years of change in ownership |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | None |
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | 30 Full Time Employees |
| Investment Required | $5 Million* |
| Wage Threshold | 100% NE Avg. Wage ($29.38) 150% NE Avg. Wage ($44.07) 200% NE Avg. Wage ($58.76)* |
| Qualified Locations | Single location, any county, more than one county, or statewide |
| Business Activities | See Qualified Locations |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | 5% of the Avg. Wage of New Employees 7% if 150% NE Average Wage 9% if 200% NE Average Wage |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | 100% |
| Investment Tax Credit | 7% |
| Bonus Credit | +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area +1% if taxpayer employs at least 3000 Nebraska-based FTEs and hire 500 new employees within seven years of change in ownership |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | Ag Processing Equipment and Data Center Equipment |
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | 250 Full Time Employees |
| Investment Required | $250 Million* |
| Wage Threshold | 150% NE Avg. Wage ($44.07)* |
| Qualified Locations | Single location, any county, more than one county, or statewide |
| Business Activities | See Qualified Locations |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | 7% of the Avg. Wage of New Employees 9% if 200% of NE Avg. Wage |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | 100% |
| Investment Tax Credit | 7% |
| Bonus Credit | +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area +1% if taxpayer employs at least 3000 Nebraska-based FTEs and hire 500 new employees within seven years of change in ownership |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | All Personal Property |
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | N/A |
| Investment Required | $50 Million* |
| Wage Threshold | At least 150% NE Avg. Wage ($44.07)* |
| Qualified Locations | Single location, any county, more than once county, or statewide |
| Business Activities | See Qualified Locations |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | None |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | 100% |
| Investment Tax Credit | None |
| Bonus Credit | None |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | Ag Processing Equipment & Data Center Equipment |
*For Applications Submitted in 2026
**Wage and Investment Credits increased on Quality Jobs and Manufacturing Growth and Expansion levels by 1% for applications dates on or after April 17, 2026, due to LB 1165.
- Economic Redevelopment Areas
- Manufacturing Growth and Expansion (Rural)
- Manufacturing Growth and Expansion (Urban)
- Growth and Expansion
- Quality Jobs
- Quality Jobs Investment
- Mega-Project
- Modernization
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | 5 Full Time Employees |
| Investment Required | $250,000 - $1 Million* |
| Wage Threshold | 70% NE Avg. Wage ($20.57)* |
| Qualified Locations |
Limited to Economic Redevelopment Areas |
| Business Activities | See Qualified Locations |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | 6% of the Avg. Wage of New Employees |
| Bonus Wage Credit | +1% if taxpayer is a Benefit Corporation |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | None |
| Investment Tax Credit | 4% |
| Bonus Investment Credit | +1% if taxpayer is a Benefit Corporation |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | None |
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | 5 Full Time Employees |
| Investment Required | $1 Million* |
| Wage Threshold | 70% NE Avg. Wage ($20.57)* |
| Qualified Locations | Limited to Counties with Populations Less Than 100,000 |
| Business Activities | Manufacturing (NAICS 31-33), including pre-production services; or services provided on aircraft brought into the state |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | 6% of the Avg. Wage of New Employees |
| Bonus Wage Credit | +1% if taxpayer is a Benefit Corporation +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | None |
| Investment Tax Credit | 4% or 7% if $10,000,000 Investment |
| Bonus Investment Credit | +1% if taxpayer is a Benefit Corporation +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | None |
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | 10 Full Time Employees |
| Investment Required | $1 Million* |
| Wage Threshold | 75% NE Avg. Wage ($22.04)* |
| Qualified Locations | Limited to Counties with Populations 100,000 or Greater |
| Business Activities | Manufacturing (NAICS 31-33), including pre-production services; or services provided on aircraft brought into the state |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | 4% of the Avg. Wage of New Employees |
| Bonus Wage Credit | +1% if taxpayer is a Benefit Corporation +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | None |
| Investment Tax Credit | 4% or 7% if $10,000,000 Investment |
| Bonus Investment Credit | +1% if taxpayer is a Benefit Corporation +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | None |
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | 10 Full Time Employees |
| Investment Required | $1 Million* |
| Wage Threshold | 90% NE Avg. Wage ($26.44)* |
| Qualified Locations | Single location, any county, more than one county, or statewide |
| Business Activities | See Qualified Locations |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | 4% of the Avg. Wage of New Employees |
| Bonus Wage Credit | +1% if taxpayer is a Benefit Corporation +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | None |
| Investment Tax Credit | 4% |
| Bonus Investment Credit | +1% if taxpayer is a Benefit Corporation +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | None |
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | 20 Full Time Employees |
| Investment Required | None |
| Wage Threshold | 100% NE Avg. Wage ($29.38) 150% NE Avg. Wage ($44.07) 200% NE Avg. Wage ($58.76)* |
| Qualified Locations | Single location, any county, more than one county, or statewide |
| Business Activities | See Qualified Locations |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | 5% of the Avg. Wage of New Employees 7% if 150% NE Average Wage 9% if 200% NE Average Wage |
| Bonus Wage Credit | +1% if taxpayer is a Benefit Corporation +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | None |
| Investment Tax Credit | None |
| Bonus Investment Credit | None |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | None |
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | 30 Full Time Employees |
| Investment Required | $5 Million* |
| Wage Threshold | 100% NE Avg. Wage ($29.38) 150% NE Avg. Wage ($44.07) 200% NE Avg. Wage ($58.76)* |
| Qualified Locations | Single location, any county, more than one county, or statewide |
| Business Activities | See Qualified Locations |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | 5% of the Avg. Wage of New Employees 7% if 150% NE Average Wage 9% if 200% NE Average Wage |
| Bonus Wage Credit | +1% if taxpayer is a Benefit Corporation +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | 100% |
| Investment Tax Credit | 7% |
| Bonus Investment Credit | +1% if taxpayer is a Benefit Corporation +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | Ag Processing Equipment and Data Center Equipment |
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | 250 Full Time Employees |
| Investment Required | $250 Million* |
| Wage Threshold | 150% NE Avg. Wage ($44.07)* |
| Qualified Locations | Single location, any county, more than one county, or statewide |
| Business Activities | See Qualified Locations |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | 7% of the Avg. Wage of New Employees 9% if 200% of NE Avg. Wage |
| Bonus Wage Credit | +1% if taxpayer is a Benefit Corporation +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | 100% |
| Investment Tax Credit | 7% |
| Bonus Investment Credit | +1% if taxpayer is a Benefit Corporation +1% if location is in an extremely blighted area |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | All Personal Property |
Qualifications |
|
| Job Growth Requirement | N/A |
| Investment Required | $50 Million* |
| Wage Threshold | At least 150% NE Avg. Wage ($44.07)* |
| Qualified Locations | Single location, any county, more than once county, or statewide |
| Business Activities | See Qualified Locations |
Benefits |
|
| Wage Credit | None |
| Bonus Wage Credit | None |
| Sales/Use Tax Direct Refund | 100% |
| Investment Tax Credit | None |
| Bonus Investment Credit | None |
| Personal Property Tax Exemption | Ag Processing Equipment & Data Center Equipment |
*For Applications Submitted in 2025
Areas highlighted yellow and blue on the below map are Economic Redevelopment Areas for the purposes of ImagiNE.
What's Next?
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