Nebraska Workforce Retention & Attraction Grant Application Now Open

LINCOLN – Applications are now being accepted for the Nebraska Workforce Retention & Attraction Grant through the Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL). This new grant program, established under LB 1165, Section 28 of the Grow the Good Life Act, is designed to help protect large numbers of Nebraska-based jobs when a key employer undergoes a change of ownership or control involving an out-of-state entity.

“Protecting Nebraska jobs is essential to maintaining strong communities and a strong economy,” said Commissioner of Labor Katie Thurber. “This grant program helps ensure that major employers can continue supporting Nebraska workers during periods of transition.”

A total of $300,000 in funding is available. Grants will be awarded to eligible organizations within ten years of the employer’s change in ownership or control.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, the applicant organization must be supporting an employer that meets all of the following criteria:

• Has maintained its Nebraska headquarters for at least 10 years
• Employed more than 3,000 full-time Nebraska workers prior to the merger
• Merged or combined between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2028

The grant application is available at: https://dol.nebraska.gov/ne-wra-grant 

NDOL press releases can be found at: https://dol.nebraska.gov/PressRelease