UP Plans $1 Billion in Upgrades

UP Plans $1 Billion in Upgrades Main Photo

23 Jan 2012


State News

Union Pacific said Friday it plans to invest $1 billion in railroad projects in Nebraska over the next several years to upgrade the capacity of its network.

Jim Young, the CEO of Union Pacific Corp., said he expects the investments to help create at least 1,000 jobs in Nebraska. The company plans to invest the money over about seven years, but the projects could be accelerated if the economy improves quicker than expected.

"We are renewing our commitment to the state," said Young, whose company has been based in Omaha for 150 years.

Union Pacific Railroad can receive as much $100 million in state tax breaks in exchange for making the investments. State Tax Commissioner Doug Ewald said Nebraska's incentive program allows companies to recover as much as 10 percent of their investment if they meet job creation criteria within seven years.

The actual amount the company will receive depends on how quickly it invests and how many jobs are created. Union Pacific officials said these projects likely would have been done regardless of the incentives, but the tax breaks make it possible to complete the upgrades sooner.

Republican Gov. Dave Heineman praised Union Pacific's plans to invest in the state.

"This is extraordinary news," Heineman said. "We've never had a billion dollars invested in this state by one company."

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