'Report: Nebraska No. 5 for housing market health'
(South Florida Business Journal) -- Nebraska is ranked near the top in a new LendingTree LLC index on healthiest housing markets. In a story published at bizjournals.com, Nebraska came in at No. 5 on the list. "The LendingTree Healthiest Housing Index shows North Dakota has the healthiest housing market in the U.S., followed by Wyoming, Minnesota, Alaska, Nebraska, Utah, Virginia, Colorado, Kansas and Iowa." The bottom 10 were Nevada, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Mississippi, Rhode Island, Illinois, Louisiana, California and New Jersey.
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2012/03/21/florida-among-worst-states-for-housing.html

'NU Report Shows More Economic Growth For Nebraska'
(10/11 News) -- 1011now.com reports that the "Nebraska's Leading Economic Indicator increased by 0.93% in February 2012, indicating that the Nebraska economy will grow at a moderate rate in mid-2012." According to the story, "this marks the third consecutive monthly increase in the Leading Economic Indicator -- Nebraska, which is produced by faculty and students within the UNL College of Business Administration."
http://www.1011now.com/home/headlines/UNLs_Leading_Economic_Indicator_Report_Shows_More_Growth_142989995.html

'Lincoln, Omaha Named As Top 10 Cities To Raise A Family'
The online financial publication 24/7 Wall St. has named Lincoln and Omaha as top ten cities to raise a family. According to the website, Lincoln is ranked No. 5, while Omaha is No. 8. The study considered quality of schools, health care and recreational opportunities, in addition to green space and playgrounds, hospitals, unemployment and violent crime rates. Regarding No. 5 Lincoln, the publication noted that the city's economy "has done exceptionally well through the recession," with its unemployment rate for 2011 the lowest among all major cities. "The city also has large amounts of land dedicated to parks and playgrounds." Eighth-ranked Omaha, according to the story, had the nation's second-lowest unemployment rate for 2011 due to its "bustling economy, with a large insurance, health care, and finance presence. Five Fortune 500 companies are based there," as well as "a number of top-ranking hospitals."

'UNL economists predict Neb. economy to keep growing'
(AP/BusinessWeek.com) -- The AP reports that a new economic report from UNL suggests that "Nebraska's economy will continue growing at a moderate pace in the next six months." The university economists looked at "single-family housing starts, airline passengers, initial unemployment claims, manufacturing hours, the value of the U.S. dollar and the data from a survey of Nebraska businesses. ... The only factor that suggested slower growth was the unemployment data. UNL economist Dr. Eric Thompson said that growth in the Leading Economic Indicator in January suggests the Nebraska economy will accelerate later in 2012.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9SV93QO0.htm

'As Legislature debates data center legislation, communities like Aurora prepare'
(NTV, Kearney) -- Nebraska.tv reports that Aurora Chamber director "Christian Evans has his head in the clouds, as he pictures a corn field as a data center at the heart of modern cloud computing." The article and NTV video notes that Nebraska lawmakers have advanced LB1118, an incentive bill for large data centers. Senator Galen Hadley of Kearney says Nebraska has "five cities that have pad-ready sites, so I hope we have five projects that come to Nebraska that come to five cities." Cities with technology parks include Kearney, Aurora, Fremont, North Platte and South Sioux City.
http://www.nebraska.tv/story/16955076/legislatures-advances-data-center-incentives

'Lt. Gov: Nebraska has good chance to land 'The Edge''
(Kearney Hub) -- KearneyHub.com reports that Nebraska Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy, in a speech to the Kearney Rotary Club, said Nebraska has a good chance at landing a planned $1.2 billion data center. "'We have a good chance at being successful,' Sheehy said about The Edge project, which reportedly is deciding whether to locate in Kearney or in Iowa.'" The story notes that state lawmakers are pushing tax incentives for the data center (under LB1118) and rate-setting authority for Nebraska Public Power District to provide electricity at a discount for the data center (under LB1043).
http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local/article_986a2e50-5cbc-11e1-9408-0019bb2963f4.html

'Nebraska travel guide goes digital'
(Nebraska Dept. of Economic Development) — Nebraska's DED reports, "The 2012 Nebraska Travel Guide is now available in a fully interactive digital format. Travelers can learn about Nebraska, search attractions and accommodations, watch videos, link directly to websites and find everything they need to start planning their next getaway. It's all there with just a few quick taps. View the digital guide on a computer at www.VisitNebraska.gov/zinio or get the guide on your tablet via zinio.com/NebraskaTravel.

'NU business students market their Nebraska family values'
(AP/TheRepublic.com) -- The AP report that "business administration students at UNL are creating a code of ethics that they hope will get them noticed as they move into the business world" and "give them an advantage in the job market." The code will be announced tomorrow, Feb. 14. According to the story, "the code's four major areas include integrity, honesty, professionalism and respect and compassion. ... Among the tenets: Accept responsibility for actions and be sincere and authentic in communications with others."
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/34692ce18c304725847e768f6630a221/NE---Business-Ethics/

'Nebraska Among States With Demand For Skilled Workers'
(San Francisco Chronicle) -- SFGate.com reports that "in 2012, if you want to go where the jobs are," check out the states with the lowest unemployment rates in the country -- Utah, Wyoming, Minnesota, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Nebraska and North Dakota. "Each has a largely business-friendly climate, if not a swimsuit-friendly one. But more to the point, each has a gaping dearth of people available to do what needs to be done." The story notes that these states have employers in ag, manufacturing, industrial machinery and equipment, construction, and energy production. "Whatever these sectors might lack in glamour, they more than make up for in steadiness and income. ... So if you're a heavy equipment field service mechanic, as opposed to an overeducated liberal arts graduate who's working on a master's degree while paying off student loans, kudos to you for getting that diesel technician's two-year diploma and making a sound investment in your education. The world, or at least the geographical heart of North America, is your oyster." http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/02/08/investopedia72635.DTL#ixzz1lrK1DWbd