Schriner and Wenstrand were in Hastings as part of a three-day effort by the state DED to inform communities about the Target Industries Study. Officials will have visited 11 Nebraska communities to present the report by Friday. These new focus industries are vital in improving the future success of the state, Schriner said. Many Nebraska companies require experience in an area before they hire people, Shriner said, but successful startups in the Silicon Valley are willing to take a risk on driven college graduates. The state needs to work on more training programs to support new workers and initiatives to attract entrepreneurs.
Employers have to get more flexible.
Youth with new ideas are leaving the state or going to population centers. But the state needs to realize those industries do not rank as highly in the four areas that are important for state industrial vitality. Image came up frequently in Schriner's presentation. He said the state needs to market itself in a certain way toward certain industries, for example as a center for alternative fuel where ethanol and other fuels primarily are produced. Schriner also urged the audience to focus on increased incentives aimed toward new industries.