Nebraska, the premier destination for those separating or retiring from the military
Take a 3 Minute fly-over Nebraska – select video below
WHY NEBRASKA As CNBC noted in their 2013 State Rankings, "There is more than just corn in the Cornhusker State, which offers relatively low crime, clean air, and apparently a relatively stress-free lifestyle.” Whether you prefer the laid-back environment offered by our rural areas, the quaint settings of our small towns, or the fast-paced lifestyle found in urban areas, Nebraska has something to suit everyone’s tastes! 
Located in the heart of the heartland, Nebraska was founded by strong and resilient pioneers who worked the land along with early entrepreneurs and adventurers looking to charter opportunities in the Wild West. While agriculture remains an important part of our state’s economy, Nebraska is now home to some of America’s leading businesses and industry, representing diverse sectors ranging from manufacturing and business services to information technology and biosciences. Nebraska also has a proud history as home to Offutt Air Force Base and the United States Strategic Command. The presence of these military installations has led to the development of a sizable defense contractor network in the state. 
As CNBC noted in their 2013 State Rankings, "There is more than just corn in the Cornhusker State, which offers relatively low crime, clean air, and apparently a relatively stress-free lifestyle.” Whether you prefer the laid back environment offered by our rural areas, the quaint settings of our small towns or the fast-paced lifestyle found in urban areas, Nebraska has something to suit everyone’s tastes! 
Community, business and elected leaders are committed to creating an environment that allows Nebraska to become the preferred destination for those individuals separating or retiring from the military. Our 1.8 million residents invite you to learn what leading experts and national media outlets now recognize: Nebraska offers excellent career opportunities coupled with an outstanding quality of life at a reasonable cost. Come experience why Nebraska truly is "The Good Life for Veterans!”
QUICK FACTS
| Population | 1,868,516 |
| Size (square miles) | 76,824 |
| Unemployment Rate (12/13) | 3.60% |
| Number of Veterans | 146,852 |
| Median Household Income (’12) | $51,381 |
| State Debt Per Capita | $21 |
| 2013 State Cost of Living (% of U.S. Avg) | 90.30% |
LIVING While Nebraska does have four distinct seasons including winter (and snow), Nebraska also experiences extended spring temperatures and beautiful fall days filled with vivid colors. More importantly, Nebraska offers short commutes, affordable housing, world-class health care, leading-edge technology infrastructure, quality public and private education, convenient and affordable transportation access.
HOUSING Nebraska recognizes that in today’s highly mobile society, military veterans can find career opportunities across the globe. However, it is easy to understand the importance of building a post-military career in a location that offers the amenities and quality of life that you desire. While Nebraska does have four distinct seasons including winter (and snow), Nebraska also experiences extended spring temperatures and beautiful fall days filled with vivid colors. More importantly, Nebraska offers short commutes, affordable housing, world-class health care, leading-edge technology infrastructure, quality public and private education, convenient and affordable transportation access and abundant shopping.
Recent research indicates that Nebraska’s cost of living averages 89-90% of the national average, thus allowing you to stretch your paycheck farther and improve your purchasing power. Likewise, Nebraska has one of the shortest commute times in America, leaving more of your time for family and fun. If working from home is part of your strategy or if you prefer to shop on-line, you will find that Nebraska leads the nation in access to broadband services. Several progressive telecommunication companies, both urban and rural, now offer fiber optic service to the home.
Nebraska cities and towns offer a wide variety of rental and owner-occupied housing options. In January 2014, the average home sale price was $167,500 in Omaha and $125,839 in Grand Island. New residents to the state, especially those relocating from the coasts, often express their excitement about the size and cost of houses they are able to afford in Nebraska. If renting better meets your needs, you will find plentiful apartment, condo, townhouse and loft options to choose from at very reasonable prices. Average rental for a two-bedroom condo in downtown Omaha, for example, is approximately $1,200 per month while a nice three bedroom home in a rural community or suburb would rent for $750-$1,300 per month.
| Search Nebraska Real Estate | Click Here |
| Search Nebraska Rental Property | Click Here |
| Special Veteran Mortgage Financing | Click Here |
| Nebraska Bankers Association | Click Here |
| Nebraska Independent Community Bankers | Click Here |
HEALTH 
With two teaching hospitals and a statewide network of specialty and community hospitals, Nebraska offers exceptional health care for residents of all ages. The University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Creighton University Medical School train doctors in a wide variety of general and specialty areas. Kaiser Family Foundation research indicates that there were 2,294 primary care and 2,201 specialty care physicians in Nebraska in 2012. Similarly, Nebraska had 3.6 hospital beds per 1,000 residents while the U.S. average was only 2.6.
| Health Statistics | Click Here |
| Nebraska Hospitals | Click Here |
| Nebraska Physicians | Click Here |
| VA Medical Services | Click Here |
| Other Medical Services | Click Here |
ENVIRONMENT
| Understanding Nebraska’s Unique Environment | Click Here |
NEBRASKA COMMUNITIES
| Nebraska Community Information Locator | Click Here |
SHOPPING 
If shopping is your past time, you will find a wide variety of selections in Nebraska. You can find rare specialty shops that offer one of a kind items all the way to large department stores offering professional attire and housewares. Don’t forget that Nebraska is home to one of the country’s largest furniture stores and also the home of business mogul Warren Buffett. A new outlet mall provides the bargain hunter with unrivaled selections at recognized stores including Coach, Adidas, Ann Taylor, Forever 21, GAP, Michael Kors, Under Armour, NIKE and many others! Leading retailers, The Buckle and Cabela’s, make their corporate home in Nebraska. More adventurous shoppers might consider taking part in the annual Junk Jaunt, a 300-mile-long garage sale and flea market that occurs through 35-plus communities in central Nebraska.
TRANSPORTATION 
Efficient movement in and out of Nebraska is facilitated by a well-maintained roads infrastructure and a growing group of commercial airports. Interstate 80, America’s new main street, bisects the state of Nebraska from east to west; note that the posted speed limit on Interstate 80 is 75 miles per hour. Interstate 29 abuts the eastern side of the state and allows quick connections to the Kansas City metro area while Interstate 76 offers convenient access from western Nebraska to Denver and the Rocky Mountains. Studies conducted by the Federal Highway Administration indicate that almost 90% of all Nebraska roadways exceed nationally acceptable ride quality standards.
Commercial air service is available at six Nebraska airports. Omaha’s Eppley Airfield is the state’s largest airport, with 7 airlines offering non-stop service to 16 cities; more than 4 million passengers are served annually through the gates in Omaha. The Lincoln Municipal Airport offers multiple daily flights to three major hub airports. Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island offers daily service to Dallas and scheduled service to Las Vegas and Phoenix while the remaining Nebraska commercial airports offer daily service to Denver.
| Eppley Airfield – Omaha | Click Here |
| Lincoln Municipal Airport-Lincoln | Click Here |
| Central Nebraska Regional Airport-Grand Island | Click Here |
| Kearney Municipal Airport-Kearney | Click Here |
| North Platte Regional Airport Lee Bird Field-North Platte | Click Here |
| Western Nebraska Regional Airport/William B. Heilig Field-Scottsbluff | Click Here |
Working & Careers With an unemployment rate hovering below 3.8%, the help wanted signs are plentiful in Nebraska. Whether you are pursuing your first civilian job, a technical career requiring specialized training, or a position that requires advanced study, you will find abundant opportunities across the state, in small towns and large cities. We don’t like to brag, so we encourage you to listen to what others have to say about career potential in the Cornhusker State.
- Nebraska is Home to 5 Fortune 500 Companies
- Nebraska is Home to the College World Series
- Nebraska’s Cornhusker Football Team has a National Leading 310 CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-Americans
If you need to acquire new skills or simply refine the ones you have, Nebraska also offers abundant educational and training opportunities. Many of our leading organizations and institutions retain staff dedicated to helping military veterans transition their military skill sets into private-sector opportunities.
- Nebraska: 2nd Best Employment Leader in America, Business Facilities, 2013
- Nebraska: 2nd Best State for Job Seekers, AOL Jobs/Career Builder.com, 2013
- Nebraska: 4th Best State for Business, CNBC, 2013
If you are more inclined to start your own business than to work for someone else, Nebraska has a growing entrepreneurial support structure. A growing network of professional not-for- profit support groups offer entrepreneurs technical assistance, marketing support and business financing expertise. In November 2014 and 2015, Invest Nebraska Corporation will be hosting new business competitions for military veterans. Winners of these competitions will be awarded with start-up seed investments. The following websites provide you with an opportunity to search for available career opportunities and entrepreneurial support in the Cornhusker State. If you don’t find what you are looking for, let us know and we will work diligently to connect you with the right opportunity.
| HIGHLIGHTS | NE | U.S. |
| Average ACT Scores | 22.1 | 20.9 |
| Average Commute Times | 17.9 | 25.2 |
| Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing | $126,700 | $181,400 |
| Violent Crimes Per 100,000 | 259.4 | 386.9 |
| Adult Population Completing | 90.40% | 85.70% |
| 2012 Per Capita GDP (’05 $) | $44,943 | $42,784.0 |
NEBRASKA STATEWIDE ONLINE JOB SITES
| Nebraska Works | Click Here |
| State of Nebraska Jobs | Click Here |
| Nebraska Bankers Association Banking Jobs | Click Here |
| Aim Institute – CareerLink | Click Here |
NEBRASKA REGIONAL JOB SITES
| Career Bum (Central Nebraska) | Click Here |
| We Have Jobs (Western Nebraska) | Click Here |
NEBRASKA STAFFING & TALENT RECRUITMENT FIRMS
| Advance Services | Click Here |
| Associated Staffing | Click Here |
| C&A Industries | Click Here |
| Eggers Consulting | Click Here |
| Oasis Staffing | Click Here |
| Preferred Partners | Click Here |
| RTG Medical | Click Here |
| Talent Plus | Click Here |
Education 
Quality education was so important to Nebraska’s forefathers that they devoted a special section of the Nebraska Constitution to addressing educational issues. Today’s policymakers remain committed to a strong public educational system focused on producing the leaders and workers of the Next Generation. Recognizing the importance of students getting off to a good start in their educational pursuits, the state of Nebraska is quickly becoming a leader in early childhood education. The Nebraska Legislature made a substantial investment of public funds during the 2013 legislative session to assure that all needy preschool students have access to high quality preschool options.
In addition, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, in partnership with philanthropist Susie Buffett, started the Buffett Early Childhood Institute in 2011. The goal of the Institute is to "work collaboratively to improve the lives of children from birth through age 8.” Nebraska’s high schools graduate almost 90% of their students, a rate near the top in national comparisons. Similarly, over 70% of high school graduates continue on to college following high school. The average ACT score for Nebraska students was 22.1 in 2012, one full point higher than the national average.
The community college system in Nebraska consists of six main campuses spread across the state. These institutions offer both academic and technical programs of study; the community colleges also maintain very strong collaborative relationships with local business and industry. In many cases, the community colleges are the first option in meeting specific industry training needs. Costs for attending community college classesare very affordable.
While the Nebraska Cornhuskers are the most recognized higher ed entity in the state, Nebraska is home to a variety of small and large higher education institutions, including three Division I universities. Total enrollment at the University of Nebraska campuses (UNL, UNO, UNMC, UNK, NCTA) exceeds 50,000 students. University of Nebraska graduates are recognized and sought after by industries from around the globe. With approximately 8,900 students, the Nebraska State College system has three campuses in smaller Nebraska markets. In addition to these public institutions, Nebraska is home to 18 independent colleges and universities, most with student enrollment at 1,000 students or less.
Many of the higher education institutions have offices dedicated to working with military veterans to assure a successful transition from the military to the college environment. Central Community College in Grand Island was recently recognized as the top community college in America for veterans, while the University of Nebraska at Omaha was ranked the second-best 4-year institution for military vets. In addition, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is an active participant in the Department of Defense yellow ribbon program. Finally, Bellevue University recently opened a new facility on campus dedicated specifically to servicing military veterans, with a special tie to military personnel from Offutt Air Force Base and the United States Strategic Command.
Recreation & Entertainment 
Nebraska offers a diverse menu of recreation, entertainment and cultural attractions. The Cornhusker State is nationally recognized for its world-class theaters, exceptional art and historical museums, abundant recreational adventures and sporting events. If you prefer something a little more unique and interactive, you might consider ice climbing along the Niobrara River or "tanking” the Dismal River.
Visitors to Nebraska are attracted to the wide variety of attractions and events available statewide; from local community festivals to star-studded concerts at one of the states arenas, to outdoor recreational opportunities like canoeing the beautiful Niobrara River (ranked one of the country’s best). A growing number of millennials are attracted to the vibrant urban music and arts scene and the states many recreational trails. The Cowboy Trail along the northern border of the state, for instance, nations longest rails-to-trails trek. Many of the states local communities have also developed expansive community trails networks. Running enthusiasts will find a plethora of short and long-distance races. Events like the Lincoln and Sandhills Marathons draw runners from around the world. Nebraska offers unique food and beverage options to satisfy both picky and creative palettes.
You can always find a great locally raised steak. Like most parts of the U.S., Nebraska is also home to national restaurant chains offering fast food and family fare. But, Nebraska restaurants also deliver hundreds of unique meal selections to your table. For something a little different, sample some of our local creations combined with a local micro-beer or wine.
Nebraska’s 77,000 square miles offer abundant opportunities for hunting, fishing and boating. Whether you prefer archery or rifles, favorite hunting targets in Nebraska include Waterfowl, deer, turkey, pheasant, elk, quail, and yes, even bighorn sheep. Fishing opportunities are abundant at many of the state’s large lakes, as Well as the sand-pit lakes that are adjacent to the Platte River.
Lake McConaughy in western Nebraska is the state’s largest reservoir in a four-state region. Built on the edge of the Nebraska Sandhills, Lake Mac
offers miles of natural white sand beaches along with excellent fishing, boating, camping and outdoor recreation. Or, check out the beautiful vistas and bluffs at Lewis & Clark Lake. Harlan County Reservoir offers calm waters with exceptional fishing.
Thanks to strong public-private partnerships and the support of our very generous philanthropic community, Nebraska maintains an active arts and humanities program. The Nebraska Arts Council, for example, supports a Governors Art Competition and the Nebraska State Poet program. For those persons interested in the performing arts, World-class facilities are available in several communities across the state. Nebraska is also recognized for its outstanding public art museums in addition to numerous private galleries. Some of the best western-themed art in the world can be found at galleries and special events across the state.
The states three Division | universities offer abundant sporting events for every sports lover. On any given game day, the Nebraska Cornhuskers draw more than 90,000 spectators to their Big Ten football showdowns. Creighton University’s recent move to the Big East Conference has helped raise the bar on very successful basketball and baseball programs.The University of Nebraska at Omaha recently moved to Division | and is quickly becoming competitive in a variety of sports. 
The College World Series, or the "Greatest Show on Dirt” as it is known, has been held in Omaha since 1950. This annual tradition draws thousands of visitors to the region for an extended period. Multiple new arenas have drawn national events like the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials and the National Special Olympics Summer Games. Professional baseball (AAA), junior hockey and professional indoor football give sports enthusiasts additional activities to satisfytheir sports cravings!
Last, but certainly not least, Nebraska has a large number of unique and internationally recognized golf courses. Semi-private Scottish-style links courses in the Nebraska Sandhills are routinely ranked in national golf magazines as some of the best courses in America. These courses, with their expansive fairways and difficult roughs, have attracted and frustrated sports stars, television actors and national politicians. In addition, courses along the state’s various rivers and bluffs offer a challenge to both first-time players and avid golfers looking for the next big challenge. The state’s "Get Driving” campaign provides information about all of the state’s unique and challenging courses.
Tourism
- Nebraska Tourism Commission – Click Here
- Attractions, Events and Recreation – Click Here
- Nebraska Travel Guide – Click Here
Hunting, Fishing and Outdoors
- Hunting & Fishing in Nebraska (Nebraska Game & Parks Commission) – Click Here
- Boating in Nebraska – Click Here
- Recreational Trails in Nebraska – Click Here
Sports, Teams and Arenas
- College World Series – Click Here
- Golf Nebraska, "Get Driving” – Click Here
- Professional Baseball (Omaha) – Click Here
- Professional Baseball (Lincoln) – Click Here
- United States Hockey League (Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha) – Click Here
- Indoor Football League (Grand Island) Click Here
- Champions Professional Football League (Lincoln, Omaha) – Click Here
- CenturyLink Center (Omahan) – Click Here
- Pinnacle Bank Arena (Lincoln) – Click Here
- Heartland Events Center (Grand Island) – Click Here
- Viaero Events Center (Kearney) – Click Here
Division I Collegiate Sports
- University of Nebraska Athletics – Click Here
- Creighton University Athletics – Click Here
- University of Nebraska at Omaha Athletics – Click Here
Hunting, Fishing and Outdoors
- Hunting & Fishing in Nebraska (Nebraska Game & Parks Commission) – Click Here
- Boating in Nebraska – Click Here
- Recreational Trails in Nebraska – Click Here
Theaters, Arts, Humanities & Museums
- Nebraska Arts Council – Click Here
- Arts Council Calendar of Events – Click Here
- Nebraska Humanities Council – Click Here
- Lied Center for Performing Arts (Lincoln) – Click Here
- Holland Performing Arts Center (Omaha) – Click Here
- Orpheum Theater (Omaha) – Click Here
- Museum of Nebraska Art (Kearney) – Click Here
- Joslyn Art Museum (Omaha) – Click Here
- Sheldon Museum of Art (Lincoln) – Click Here
Veteran Services 
On Christmas Day, 1941, a large contingent of North Platte, Nebraska, residents met at the North Platte train station to extend good wishes and provide gifts to what they thought were soldiers from the local National Guard unit travelling through the community on a troop train. The troop trains, which were common during that time, were carrying soldiers on their way to unknown war-time destinations. The train that arrived was not carrying Nebraska soldiers, but rather 300-plus soldiers from Kansas on their way to battle. Rather than return home disappointed, the North Platte residents at the train station offered their food and gifts to the Kansas troops, building morale and spreading holiday cheer among the soldiers. This was just the beginning of what became known as the North Platte Canteen.Each day for the remainder of World War II, residents from more than 125 North Platte area communities personally greeted each troop train that stopped in the community for train refueling and maintenance. Local residents offered these young soldiers candy, baked goods, cigarettes, smiles and warm hugs. The process of personally greeting every soldier on the way to war became a rallying cry for North Platte area residents. A large number of World War II soldiers passed through North Platte and witnessed this selfless commitment of generosity and kindness.
The passion, support and admiration exhibited for our military soldiers at the North Platte Canteen remains a part of Nebraska’s culture. Nebraskans are proud of our veterans, as reflected by the numerous veterans memorials constructed over the past few years. Today, Nebraskans afford profound respect and support for our military veterans. Following are links to the many programs, services and organizations that serve the veteran community in Nebraska.
- Nebraska Department of Veteran Affairs – Click Here
- Nebraska VFW – Click Here
- Nebraska American Legion – Click Here
- Nebraska National Guard – Click Here
- Disabled American Veterans of Nebraska – Click Here
- Nebraska VA Health Services –Click Here
- Nebraska Veteran’s Cemetery – Click Here
- Fort McPherson National Cemetery – Click Here
- Nebraska PTSD Program – Click Here
Documents
Omaha Ranks Fourth on 2013 List of Top Military Friendly Cities
Nebraska-U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (document)
NDVA COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE LISTING Nebraska Service Officer State map
Links
NEworks website Nebraska Veteran Benefits Nebraska State Veteran Department of Veteran’s Affairs (website)
