LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska lawmaker is leaving the Legislature to become the executive director of a new economic development group.

Blueprint Nebraska announced Monday that state Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion will help lead the organization. Smith has served in the Legislature since 2011 and was slated to step down in January because of term limits.

Smith is a small businessman who served as chairman of the Legislature’s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee and the tax-focused Revenue Committee. He introduced numerous bills to cut taxes during his tenure, including some championed by Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Blueprint Nebraska describes itself as a statewide, citizen-led economic development initiative. The group says it’s looking to create a proactive plan to stimulate economic growth while making Nebraska more competitive and building on the state’s strengths.