Nebraska Panhandle News

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) announced today that he has been named a 2024 “Hero of Main Street” by the National Retail Federation (NRF). The award acknowledges his efforts in advancing public policy that fosters a vibrant and healthy retail sector. This recognition is part of an initiative honoring a bipartisan group of lawmakers for their support of the retail industry through legislative action and leadership.

“I’m honored to be recognized as a Hero of Main Street,” Ricketts stated. “Small businesses are critical to the economic vitality of communities across Nebraska. I’m committed to pro-growth policies that will enable Nebraska retailers and their teammates to thrive.”

David French, NRF Executive Vice President of Government Relations, added, “The retail industry directly impacts every congressional district in the United States, providing goods, services, and American jobs. NRF is honored to recognize Senator Ricketts as a ‘Hero of Main Street’ for his continued support of the retail industry through legislative action and leadership.”

Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion annually to GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs—55 million working Americans. In Nebraska alone, retail supports over 342,000 jobs with a $30.1 billion impact on GDP. The majority of retailers are small businesses; more than 98% employ fewer than 50 people.