By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

For Nebraska to thrive, we must care for our families, infrastructure, workforce, and safety. It’s an effort that requires close coordination between private companies, nonprofits, and every level of government. But the payoff is worth it, and when we work together, we build a better state for the next generation of Nebraskans.

Last week, I visited the newly renovated Head Start center in Lincoln. The Head Start program offers free learning and development services to young children, and it’s run by the Community Action agency in Lincoln. Community Action saw the need for an upgraded facility where kids can learn safely and comfortably, and they kickstarted the process of renovating the Head Start center. This impressive facility includes 19 classrooms for children aged five and under, as well as play areas and community gathering spaces.

I’ve heard from Nebraskans across the state about their dire need for child care. As a local nonprofit, Community Action is doing its part to solve this problem. And in Washington, I’m working to solve it as well. On the Appropriations Committee, my colleagues and I proposed increased funding for child care and early learning programs, including Head Start and Early Head Start. I also introduced a bill this summer to reauthorize the Child Care and Development Block Grant, which has a 30-year track record of giving working parents the resources they need to make the right child care decisions for their families. Both our local efforts in Lincoln and our federal efforts in Washington will allow Nebraska’s families to thrive.

But in today’s world, families can’t thrive if they can’t get places. Our transportation networks bring us to and from work or school, enable us to visit loved ones, and allow our farmers and ranchers to bring their goods to market. This week, I spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for the North Platte Regional Airport’s new terminal, which will allow passengers to travel to and from western Nebraska more seamlessly. The North Platte area is already flourishing economically: a beef processing facility has brought 875 jobs to North Platte, and a 300-acre rail park is in development in Hershey. This new terminal builds on those economic developments by making it easy to get here by plane.

The North Platte Airport Authority saw an opportunity to enhance travelers’ experiences and drive economic growth, and they took it. The Airport Authority has worked with local stakeholders and government to prepare for this new project, and they’ve also used federal resources. In 2021, I voted for a bipartisan bill to invest in our nation’s core infrastructure. That legislation sent millions of federal funds back to Nebraska to improve and expand our airports. One of those grants—$7 million—was sent to North Platte for the very project we celebrated this week. Last year, I secured $7 million more for the project.

North Platte is not the only place Nebraskans are capitalizing on economic development opportunities. One major way Nebraska is contributing to our national economy—and our national defense—is through manufacturing. Defense experts from across the political spectrum know that to deter aggression from our adversaries, we need to build out a manufacturing workforce with the expertise and technology to produce the weapons systems we need. That’s why this year I introduced the Restoring American Deterrence Act, which would require the Secretary of Defense to create a strategy for growing our manufacturing and skilled trade workforce.

Pacific Engineering Inc. in Roca is a small business using cutting-edge technologies and expanding the Nebraska manufacturing workforce. Last week, I attended the grand opening of PEI’s new manufacturing space in North Omaha. I’ve known the folks at PEI since 2014, and I’ve seen them expand over the past decade. This new facility will employ more Nebraskans in an area that needs more jobs. PEI is serving Nebraskans by offering employment opportunities at the same time as it designs and produces materials integral to our national security.

For Nebraska to thrive, whether in early childhood education, transportation networks, or supporting our national defense, we need to partner together. Both federally and here at home, we are building toward a better Nebraska for our children and grandchildren. Nebraskans are serving their communities’ needs and meeting challenges as they come—and Nebraska’s future looks bright.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.