“Omaha: Extraordinary Opportunities” is a publication of the Greater Omaha Chamber, created and produced by the Omaha World-Herald. Greater Omaha Chamber 1301 Harney St., Omaha, NE 68102 13206 Grover St., Omaha, NE 68144 Phone 402-346-5000 Fax 402-346-7050 info@OmahaChamber.org OmahaChamber.org SelectGreaterOmaha.com
Omaha,
Greater Omaha Chamber President and CEO DAVID G. BROWN
GREATER OMAHA CHAMBER PROJECT TEAM Project Director KARLA EWERT Project Editor SHERRY FLETCHER Project Contributing Editor RUTHANN MANLEY Creative Director KIM SELLMEYER
WORLD-HERALD PROJECT TEAM Project Editor/Creative Director CHRIS CHRISTEN Designer & Graphic Artist QUENTIN LUENINGHOENER Copy Editor AMY LaMAR Contributors/Content JEFF BARNES, JUDY HORAN, BILL HORD, KURT A. KEELER, MICHAEL KELLY, RUTHANN MANLEY, SHERRY FLETCHER, DAN McCANN, MONICA McFARLAND, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD STAFF, TIM STUART, PAT WATERS Contributors/Photography ROGER D. BARNES, JEFFREY BEBEE, ROBERT ERVIN, ERIC FRANCIS, KURT A. KEELER, SHERI KIMMEY, MALONE & COMPANY, NORTH SEA FILMS, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD PHOTO STAFF, JOSH PLUEGER, LINDA SHEPARD, BILL SITZMANN, KEN SMITH, BRAD WILLIAMS Imaging Specialist PATRICIA “MURPHY” BENOIT Print Manager WAYNE HARTY Project Sales Managers CARRIE KENTCH TAM WEBB On the Cover: 150th anniversary photo illustration courtesy of Union Pacific Railroad. View this publication at www.omaha.com Copyright 2012 Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha, NE 68102 402-444-1094; www.omaha.com Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information in this publication. The Greater Omaha Chamber and Omaha World-Herald assume no responsibility for misinformation. Reproduction in whole or in part without joint permission of the Greater Omaha Chamber and The World-Herald is prohibited. Printed by Omaha Print Company, Omaha, Nebraska
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On the Move!
How fortunate we are to live in a city that has benefited from leaders who have vision, determination and the means to make things happen. Take for example one of our leading businesses, Union Pacific Corp., a Fortune 500 company that celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2012. The decision to headquarter that company in Omaha literally got the wheels of the city rolling. Throughout history, decisions like that – and our belief that we can do anything – have kept our city moving. More than 60 years ago, we embraced a little baseball tournament that today is the College World Series, a major college sporting event. Our can-do attitude helped us forge a 2009 deal with the NCAA to keep the series in Omaha through at least 2035. In 2008 and 2012, Olympians swam their way onto the U.S. Olympic team by competing in Omaha. That same spirit was seen at the Midwest’s first International Omaha 2012 (an equestrian show-jumping competition). Next year will bring the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the U.S. Senior Open to Omaha. Our region is economically strong and diverse, and we have kept moving, even during challenging economic times. Probusiness city and state governments make the area welcoming to businesses. Our quality of life, combined with the amenities of a much larger city, make Greater Omaha a desirable place to live. The momentum these days shows that our businesses are moving from surviving to THRIVING! We are experiencing increased visibility on the national radar as a city known to be a haven for entrepreneurs and innovators. The pages of this publication piece together the collage of our positive trajectory. See for yourself the impact of our 365 economic development successes
B I L L S I T Z MA N N
David Brown, left, and Nate Dodge with an autographed British telephone booth given to Omaha to commemorate the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials — Swimming. totaling more than $3.7 billion in new investments and 21,461 new or retained jobs since 2004 (through second-quarter 2012). We’re sure that you’ll also discover what so many others already have: Greater Omaha is extraordinary! If you are thinking about expanding your business, moving your family or coming on your own, we welcome you. In fact, we’ll show you around! Nate Dodge 2012 Chairman, Chamber
Board of Directors; Executive Vice President, NP Dodge Company
David G. Brown President and CEO, Greater Omaha Chamber