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Location Advantages

Buffalo County offers outstanding business advantages that help your company succeed. 

Buffalo County stands out for its robust infrastructure, offering seamless connectivity through direct access to I-80, the Kearney Regional Airport, and extensive rail lines. Our communities and businesses thrive with a plentiful supply of clean water, thanks to our unique position above the Ogallala Aquifer.

Exceptional education is at the heart of our region, driven by the outstanding programs at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Central Community College. These institutions empower our workforce and open doors to opportunity across industries.

Combined with our close proximity to Nebraska’s major metropolitan centers, these assets foster a secure, supportive environment where both businesses and families flourish—laying the foundation for enduring economic growth and a vibrant quality of life for generations.

Tour Nebraska at BPE - Original

Interstate 80 runs along the Platte River at the southern boundary of Buffalo County, making interstate commerce available from coast to coast and major markets throughout the country. U.S. Highway 183 is a north/south artery through the county, while U.S. Highway 30 traverses east and west.

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Kearney Regional Airport is a Class 1 Airport served by United Airlines, with flights operated by SkyWest with daily nonstop flights to Denver International Airport. It has two runways, one at 7,100' and the other at 4,500', offering commercial and recreational travel advantages.

Visit Fly Kearney

Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe offer rail service in Buffalo County. The railroad is woven through much of the county’s history. Several historical markers, such as the Shelton Union Pacific Depot and the Pleasanton Branch Union Pacific Railroad marker, can be found throughout the county.

Buffalo County features many reliable and affordable utility partners with capacity to serve a wide variety of needs.

Electricity:

Natural Gas

Water, Sanitation, Sewer

Telecommunications and Broadband

Kearney and Buffalo County are the fifth-most populated city and county in Nebraska, respectively. Of the top five populated counties, Buffalo County had the lowest property tax rate of 1.7423% in 2022.

Of Nebraska's 30+ First Class Cities, Kearney had the lowest property tax levy of 0.14887 in 2022.

The Tax Foundation ranks Nebraska in the middle of the country as the 29th-best in its 2023 State Business Tax Climate Index. The most positive rankings for the state include a low sales tax rate and low impact on unemployment insurance taxes on businesses. The legislative environment in Nebraska is trending in a positive direction, with scheduled reductions in the top marginal corporate income tax through 2023 and significant reductions in the top marginal individual income tax rate beginning in 2023.