Major Employers & Workforce

Victory BuildingMade in Hastings, more than just a tagline.

Our employers help to define our community. Hastings is home to a variety of business and industry that comprise a diversified and dynamic economic base. Hastings' boasts opportunities in higher education, medical, advanced manufacturing, value added agriculture, and more. Our leading employers include:

 

Major Manufacturers

Company  Number of Employees 
Thermo King 430
WR Reserve 325
Dutton-Lainson Company 280
T-L Irrigation 220
Flowserve Inc 150
Ag Processing Inc 150
Paperworks Industries 120
Centennial Plastics 100
A1 Fiberglass 100
Eaton Corporation 90
Nebraska Aluminum Castings 85
Flanders Provision 80
Chief Ethanol Fuels 65
Hastings Irrigation Pipe 65

 

Major Non-Manufacturers

Company Number of Employees
Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital 1200+
Hastings Public Schools 580
Good Samaritan Village
340
Central Community College 260
US Meat Animal Research 250
Hastings College 250
City of Hastings 250
Hastings Utilities
210
Adams County 150

  

Nebraska Economic Insight and Outlook Report 

For specific data and trends relating to the demographics, wage level, commuting patterns, and more of Nebraska's labor force, visit the Nebraska Economic Insight and Outlook Report. 

 

Hastings' Labor Force

Hastings' labor-draw area covers four counties; however, it also extends into an additional three counties. Adding significantly to the work force is a minority population including Spanish-speaking groups and Vietnamese, an untapped female population and the under-employed. A large college student population also contributes to the Hastings labor pool.

Adams County Labor Force

Year Labor Force 
1998 15,944 
1999  16,078
2000  17,249
2001  17,101
2002  16,962
2003  16,792
2004  16.997
2005  17,027
2006  16,764
2007 17,374
2008 17,708
2009 17,593
2010 16,494
2011 16,487
2012 16,887
2013 16,963
2014 16,708
2015 16,611
2016 16,628
2017 16.548
2018 16,668
2019 16, 973
2020 17,032
2021 16, 942

Source: NE Workforce Development, Workforce Summary

 

Adams County Unemployment Rate

Year  Rate (Percent)
1998  2.0 
1999  2.2
2000  2.6 
2001  3.1 
2002  3.6 
2003  4.1 
2004  3.8
2005 3.4 
2006 2.9 
2007  2.7 
2008 3.1
2009 5.1
2010 4.7
2011 4.3
2012 3.8
2013 3.6
2014 3.4
2015 3.1
2016 3.1
2017 3.1
2018 2.8
2019 3.2
2020 3.9
2021 2.4

Source: NE Workforce Development, Workforce Summary

 

2022 Graduation Numbers

School  Number
Hastings High School  252
Adams Central High School  73
St. Cecilia High School  30
Central Community College  665
Hastings College  175

Source: Individual School Systems

Unionization

Nebraska is a Right-to-Work state. This law is supported by the philosophy that no outside middleman is needed to reconcile differences between employers and employees. The last work stoppage was in 1971.