Business forecast group sees strong growth this year, stronger next year for Nebraska

Neb. economic forecast: Strong 2010, stronger 2011

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Business Forecast Council is optimistic about the state’s economy over the next two years.

The council’s report, released Tuesday through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Bureau of Business Research, cites solid job and income growth this year and stronger growth next year.

The council says Nebraska employment will rebound and erase most of the job losses that occurred last year.

Nebraska’s unemployment rate was an estimated 4.5 percent in November, the latest month available.

The council expects increases of 3.9 and 5 percent in non-farm personal incomes in 2010 and 2011, respectively, and 8.2 percent and 3.4 percent in farm income over the same two years.

The council includes economists from utilities and colleges.