Union Pacific Railroad would move 500 jobs from a customer service center in St. Louis to its Omaha headquarters if Nebraska lawmakers pass tax incentives to make the move less expensive, the railroad said Monday. The move, at least two years away, would take place along with construction of a new headquarters building in downtown Omaha, UP spokesman John Bromley said. But the Nebraska Legislature must pass a version of the Quality Jobs Act that passed in 1995 and expired last year, he said. The tax incentives have been introduced this legislative session by Sen. Doug Kristensen of Minden, who is speaker of the Legislature, and they are backed by Gov. Mike Johanns. Kristensen's version also would give tax breaks to companies investing smaller amounts in less populated areas of the state.
Critics argue the companies got more than they gave.
They were informed of the possible move in a company memo. Under Union Pacific plans, the St. Louis customer service center would close, Bromley said. If the Legislature does not pass the tax incentives, he said, the move probably would not take place and the railroad would look at other options. The railroad wants to consolidate workers at its proposed new headquarters, which could be built beginning in 2002, depending on approval from the city and Union Pacific's board of directors. Post your thoughts in The Public Forum.