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Omaha Commons
Serving Omaha, Nebraska (Douglas County)Vol. 1, No. 5
Business

Report says Nebraska is positioned to lead the growing bioeconomy after Omaha summit

Business desk
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026In the Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 edition

OMAHA - A new Council on Competitiveness report says Nebraska is well placed to lead the industrial bioeconomy, according to the University of Nebraska System, which co-hosted the meeting behind the report at the Durham Museum in Omaha.

The report, "Nebraska: Leading the New Frontier in the Bioeconomy," was released Thursday. The bioeconomy uses crops, microorganisms and organic waste to make food, materials, energy and other products. The university said the sector is projected to grow from $4 trillion a year to more than 10 times that by 2050.

The report cites Nebraska's 24 ethanol plants, livestock and grain production, growing biomanufacturing base and logistics network. It names workforce capacity as a "binding constraint."

More than 200 leaders attended the April 29-30 meeting, including representatives of HDR, Cargill and Procter & Gamble, as well as Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr., the university said.

Deborah Wince-Smith, the council's president and CEO, said Nebraska is "distinctly demonstrating how a state can leverage its assets."

Source: University of Nebraska System via UNMC Newsroom, opened Oct. 30, 2026.

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