LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska’s top economic development official is resigning to join the state Chamber of Commerce. Gov. Dave Heineman said Thursday that Richard Baier would leave his post after Oct. 28. Baier has led the department since he was appointed by Heineman’s predecessor in 2003. Heineman praised Baier’s efforts to promote the state and improve the climate for businesses. Baier helped redesign the incentives Nebraska uses to attract companies and led several trade missions to help boost business. Baier will lead a new Chamber program to research business trends in the state and make recommendations about what should be done to strengthen Nebraska’s economy. Chamber President Barry Kennedy says Baier’s research will help determine what Nebraska needs to do to set itself apart from other states.