Nebraska is a right-to-work state, offering a number of distinct advantages for business and industry to prosper. Nowhere are these advantages more evident than in Hastings: a central location, excellent transportation infrastructure, extremely low electric rates, a proven superior work ethic and unmatched educational opportunities through Hastings College and Central Community College make Hastings the perfect solution for many businesses.
Industrial assets and opportunities abound in Hastings. Activity surrounding the agricultural industry has flourished. More than half of Nebraska’s 25 ethanol plants are within a two-hour drive time of Hastings. Locally, Hastings is home to Nebraska’s first commercial grade ethanol plant, Chief Ethanol Fuels. Ag Processing, Inc. has recently completed a 70 percent expansion of its soybean crush operation, which now processes up to 55 million bushels of soybeans on an annual basis. Hastings is also home to Cooperative Producers Inc., the largest grain warehousing operation in the state of Nebraska and to T-L Irrigation, one of the largest center pivot irrigation manufacturers in the world.
In 1976, the Hastings Economic Development Corporation began development of Hastings Industrial Park West. Strategically positioned at the crossroads of U.S. Highways 6, 34 and 281, Park West provides a favorable logistical location for its tenants. Today, Park West is home to 14 manufacturing and related businesses, employing over 1,000 people. Most recently, Industrial Park West welcomed Flanders Provision Co. All lots are currently occupied. However, 179 acres are available adjacent to the park with excellent highway and rail access.
In 1995, HEDC began development of Hastings Industrial Park North. Located just off of U.S. Hwy 281, Park North provides great access to U.S. Interstate 80, just 15 miles north of Hastings. Highway 6 is now directly accessible from Park North as well due to a recent expansion. With three projects completed in 2011, Park North is a hub of activity. Most recently, HEDC has brought eight new lots of developable industrial land to market at Park North along with three new tenants. HEDC also owns a 97,500-square-foot speculative industrial building at Park North. The building boasts 26-foot sidewalls, an eight-inch concrete floor and an advanced early suppression fast response sprinkler system. This building and additional lots of varying sizes are available for industrial applications and related activities.
Hastings Utilities, an active partner in economic development, provides comprehensive utility service to both industrial parks and the city of Hastings with some of the lowest cost utility rates in the nation. Over the last decade, Hastings Utilities has made significant investments into generation and delivery of all services. These investments have positioned Hastings Utilities and HEDC to continue to serve new and existing industry now and into the future.