Nebraska home builders employed more than 7,000 in 2011, which according to Elliot Eisenberg, former senior economist for the National Association of Home Builders, would make it the state’s third-largest private employer. Mr. Eisenberg is now in his own practice.

According to Mr. Eisenberg, if the 3,779 permits for single-family homes were all built, they would have been responsible for $381 million in spending and an additional $74 million in taxes. He used a model developed by the National Association of Home Builders to conclude that these homes would generate $118 million of spending and $56 million in taxes annual. Additionally they would be responsible for 2,221 permanent jobs. According to Eisenberg, “home building pays its way.”