Kathleen Brooks, Tim Meyer and Cory Walters of the Department of Agricultural Economics
Eric Thompson of the Bureau of Business Research in the College of Business

This study estimates the overall economic impact of the Nebraska ethanol industry from 2015 to 2017. It uses a quantitative measure (IMPLAN) and fundamental economic analysis to assess the harder-to-measure outcomes of the industry.

The Nebraska ethanol industry remains an important market in Nebraska with a production capacity of 2.558 billion gallons in 2017, resulting in the value of ethanol production at $3.764 billion, trailing only corn and cattle. Between 2014 and 2017, the productive capacity of ethanol in Nebraska increased by 23% and the number of full-time employees increased by 11.7%. While the industry has realized weakened ethanol prices between 2014 and 2017, the Nebraska ethanol industry has shown resilience through continued expansion in total capacity and diversification into co-products.

Download this 21-page report for more information on ethanol's impact on the Nebraska economy.

Highlights

Output, Employment, Labor Income, Indirect Business Taxes (2017)

• Ethanol Production - 2.076 billion gallons
• Value of Ethanol Production - $2.872 billion
• Total Value - $3.764 billion
• Employees - 1,453 full-time equivalents (FTEs)
• Labor Income - $109 million
• Indirect Business Taxes - $13 million

Overall Economic Impact (2017)

• Employment - 5,166 FTEs
• Total Labor Income - $370 million
• Total Output - $4.154 billion