2012 Accomplishments
Advocate for a strong business climate and member businesses
Passage of Pro-business Legislation
• Tax reductions and various economic development bills during the 2012 legislative session
Positive Solutions to Local Development and Business Issues
• Supported TIF project approval for TD Ameritrade and Crossroads projects • Worked extensively and collaboratively to combat spiraling water fees associated with the combined sewer overflow (CSO) project • Successfully fought a proposal to further tax and overly-regulate Omaha businesses that sell alcoholic beverages
Engagement with Federal Elected Officials
• Fourth annual Federal Flyback connected members with Nebraska’s federal delegation • U.S. Senate debate brought Deb Fischer and Bob Kerrey together in an issuesfocused forum
Billion Dollar Groundbreaking
• New US STRATCOM headquarters groundbreaking was a testament to years of Chamber advocacy and economic development focus aimed at keeping Offutt Air Force Base strong, a goal shared by solid partnerships across the community
Legislation was passed further enhancing Nebraska’s competitive incentives package. LB 1118 created benefits for large data center projects.
Create opportunities for member visibility and business connections
Big O! Excellence Awards
Member Recognition
• 75 awards recognized accomplishments of Chamber members • 850,000 on-line referrals promoted member businesses • High visibility from 56,000 visits to on-line Member News and Discounts postings • Over 200 members enhanced their own brands with Chamber sponsorships
Targeted Events and Programs
• More than 150 events provided about 18,000 individuals opportunities for professional connections, industry-specific breakout contacts and to learn from experts • Hundreds of members used BOSS, TIPs and Executive Dialogue programs for business and professional development
Agribusiness Confab
• Hosted more than 60 agribusiness men and women from across the state to develop stronger relationships and learn from each other
Buy the Big O! Show
Strengthen leaders and develop the community
Community Development Efforts
• Installation of Trugs (curbside islands of greenery and seating) and surrounding programming along the Leavenworth Street Corridor in midtown Omaha • Completion of the Neighborhood Business Districts Analysis • Gifford Park and Vinton Street project work • Developed long-term plan to support the South Omaha Housing Demand Assessment and Strategy Implementation project
Leadership Development
• Leadership Omaha “Class 34” graduated 47 members after a 10-month program designed to develop effective, responsible community leaders • 31 executives and their spouses participated in the Omaha Executive Institute. The eight sessions help newcomers understand the environment in which they are now living and doing business
Young Professionals
• Hosted the seventh annual YP Summit which saw a 17% increase in attendance and recognized Farm Credit Services of America as the 2012 YP Choice Award winner • Launched a new website, www.omahayp.org
Inaugural Job Crawl
• Connected more than 200 students with 40 entrepreneurial and high growth companies to discuss job and intern possibilities
Intern Omaha
• A summer internship engagement program enhanced the Omaha experience for over 130 interns recruited from across the country to begin their careers here
Superintendent Search
• Participated in the Omaha Public School District and District 66 superintendent searches
Trugs along Leavenworth Street
Pursue job growth and capital investment for the region
Reaching Out Regionally for Economic Growth
• Supported economic growth in Omaha, Douglas, Sarpy, Washington and Cass Counties through dedicated partnerships with the Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation, the Gateway Development Corporation of Washington County, and the Cass County Economic Development Council
45 Landed Projects
• Economic development projects created 541 new jobs, retained 1,489 jobs and represented $579 million in capital investment in the Greater Omaha Area
Pipeline for Growth
• Opened 174 potential economic development project files; with 134 remaining active and representing the potential for up to 6,996 new jobs and approximately $446 million in capital investment
Outreach to Existing Businesses
• Connected with almost 900 local businesses to provide information on incentive or loan programs, referrals to other businesses or organizations, problem resolution, and demographic, economic or labor information
New mission at Offutt Air Force Base
• Collaborative effort between the Chamber and Nebraska’s federal delegation secured the only Joint POW/MIA Identification Command (JPAC) in the continental U.S., bringing an estimated $8 million annual impact to the area
Small Business Assistance
• A new plan and process to assist small businesses was devised and research information was provided to more than 600 businesses
Start-Up Assistance
• Assisted 56 start-ups • Mastercraft Advisors was developed to provide a source of on-going professional advice • Launched “Common Ground” program to encourage best practice conversations
International Business
• Hosted visitors representing Belgium, Canada, China, Lithuania, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Hong Kong , Korea, Macedonia, Philippines, South Africa, and Turkey resulting in a signed memorandum of understanding with a Chinese company to open an office in Greater Omaha, and ongoing discussions on potential projects, and possible trade missions to Greater Omaha
Enhance the community brand and image
Only in Omaha
• Connected with over 800 business executives and site consultants who visited Omaha during one of several signature events during the year • Hosted the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)’s Heartland Idea Exchange, an event that connected 183 retailers and developers from 18 states • Hosted more than 400 national leaders in corporate real estate at the Industrial Asset Management Council Fall Professional Forum, two-thirds of which were first time visitors to the area
National Rankings
• Received 30 national rankings in outlets ranging from Kiplinger (#1 – 10 Great Cities to Raise Your Kids) to The Fiscal Times (#1 – 7 U.S. Cities with the Biggest Bang for Your Buck)
Ads & Videos
• Supported talent attraction/ retention efforts by releasing a series of ads and videos featuring creative talent in Omaha • Overall 233 editorial placements were made reaching an audience of 107.8 million and an estimated additional 19 million people were touched with an Omaha message from advertisements
Featured five talented young professionals discussing why they choose to live and work in Omaha.
Operate with excellence
Sterling Audit Report
• 2011 audit report was approved and given an unqualified opinion
Financial Stability
• Revenue and expenditures ending the year close to expected levels
Technology Plan
• Plans developed and the process began to upgrade the database and website
5-Star Accreditation
• The United States Chamber of Commerce, again, awarded the Greater Omaha Chamber 5-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures and positive impact on the community (This prestigious honor puts the Omaha Chamber among the top 3 percent of the 6,936 chambers nationwide)
Looking Ahead: Prosper Omaha
• Consultant-driven economic development research coupled with a series of investor conversations resulted in plans for Prosper Omaha, the Chamber’s newest 5-year (2014-18) $23 million fundraising campaign for economic development
PROSPER OMAHA 2014-2018
Leveraging Extraordinary Opportunities for the Region