By Omaha World-Herald Editorial Staff
One day, we will have a vaccine against the coronavirus, and our country is already gearing up to meet that future medical need. A significant company in the effort will be medical technology leader Becton Dickinson & Co., which has four facilities in Nebraska. Indeed, the company has announced a $70 million expansion in Nebraska, primarily at its needle- and syringe-making plants in Columbus and Holdrege.
This situation highlights one of the key ways that Nebraska can boost its economy for the long term, by strengthening high-productivity businesses that provide good pay for employees. Becton Dickinson is a fine example.
Such a strategy is one of the main recommendations in Blueprint Nebraska, the statewide economic development initiative begun last year through broad public input. In fact, several recent trends offer long-term opportunities for Nebraska’s economy, says Jim Smith, Blueprint Nebraska’s executive director.