The Union Omaha soccer stadium project took a major step forward last week with the Omaha Planning Board’s approval of Tax Increment Financing. Recently, the city approved a purchase agreement with Union Pacific to buy the site north of 11th & Cuming Street for $18.7 million. Currently, the City and developer are working through the terms of the development agreement. The city will own the land and stadium and then lease the stadium to Union Omaha, which would manage the property. The development agreement is an important step because it is a prerequisite for the city to issue any bonds related to the project. The developer is pushing to start construction by this fall to be able to finish by 2028 soccer season. According to the TIF application, total investment in the 25-acre site will potentially exceed $300 million. The stadium, which constitutes Phase 1 of the project, will cost approximately $125 million, which includes $12 million in public infrastructure improvements to...

The Greater Omaha Chamber released its 2025 Annual Report this week and unveiled the findings of two major new reports: the Brain Drain and Perception Study and the Future Ready Workforce Study, conducted in partnership with Lightcast and DCI. Together, the findings underscore a defining reality for the region’s next decade: talent is the central economic challenge and opportunity facing greater Omaha, the chamber said in a press release. The Annual Report highlights a year of significant momentum and execution under the chamber’s “A Greater Omaha” economic development strategy, which was introduced at last year’s annual meeting as a bold roadmap to modernize the region’s economy and strengthen competitiveness. “Over the past year, we have moved from vision to action, building partnerships, advancing key priorities, and laying the foundation for Greater Omaha’s next era of growth,” said Heath Mello, president & CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber. “Our annual report reflects a...