LINCOLN, NEBRASKA — The Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) today applauded the release of a new comprehensive study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), which details the significant economic and agricultural contributions of Nebraska’s ethanol industry.
Conducted by UNL’s Department of Agricultural Economics, the 2021 – 2023 Economic Impacts of the Nebraska Ethanol and Co-Products Industry report reveals how ethanol production fuels job creation, supports corn growers, and bolsters rural development across the state—cementing Nebraska’s status as a national leader in renewable fuels. In 2023, that included ethanol production of more than 2 billion gallons, which contributed to a total industry impact of more than $6 billion across the state.
“This UNL study is a testament to the strength and resilience of Nebraska’s ethanol industry—and its unmatched importance to our state,” Nebraska Ethanol Board Interim Executive Director Ben Rhodes said. “From supporting thousands of jobs to driving demand for our corn crop, ethanol is a crucial pillar of Nebraska’s economy. We’re proud to see these impacts documented so clearly, and the NEB remains committed to advancing this industry’s success.”
The report highlights the record economic impacts of the industry during the years studied, including an all-time high of $8.18 billion in 2022. This includes the value of ethanol and co-products sold, as well as labor and tax effects. Nebraska’s 24 ethanol plants support 1,800 full-time equivalent employees, the report says, with average annual wages of nearly $80,000. Co-product value was also noteworthy, with existing and new co-product markets adding to 45% of ethanol value. That means that for every dollar of ethanol produced and sold, $0.45 of co-products were also sold.
“The ethanol industry supports great careers in our rural communities, and we’re glad the report captures that value,” Rhodes said. “The research team did an excellent job highlighting the impact this industry has on Nebraska’s people and the agriculture sector. This report showcases an industry that is mature, strong, and committed to future growth.”
This is the latest in a series of impact reports that the Department of Agricultural Economics has conducted regarding Nebraska’s ethanol industry. Previous reports covered the time periods 2010 – 2014, 2015 – 2017, 2018 – 2019, and 2020. The 2021 – 2023 report adds a new element to the analysis, comparing the ethanol industry to a flagship Nebraska event, the College World Series (CWS). The CWS adds $115 million per year to the state’s economy. The ethanol industry’s multi-billion dollar impact, according to the researchers, is more than 50 times that of the CWS.
The full report can be read here.
The Nebraska Ethanol Board works to ensure strong public policy and consumer support for biofuels. Since 1971, the independent state agency has designed and managed programs to expand production, market access, worker safety and technology innovation, including recruitment of producers interested in developing conventional ethanol, as well as bio-products from the ethanol platform. For more information, visit www.ethanol.nebraska.gov.
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