Greater Omaha
Chamber

Governor Jim Pillen has officially proclaimed this week as Nebraska Small Business Week. During recognitions like this we are reminded of a simple truth: small businesses are the foundation of our economy. Across Nebraska, small businesses shape the character of our neighborhoods and drive the momentum of our state. From family-owned restaurants and neighborhood retailers to innovative startups and growing service providers, these businesses represent the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our community. They are where ideas take root, where risks are taken and where opportunity is created every single day. That impact is measurable and deeply felt. Small businesses create a significant share of new jobs, serve as critical suppliers to larger industries and keep investment circulating within our local economy. Just as importantly, they bring life and vibrancy to our commercial corridors, helping to attract talent and create the kind of place people want to live, work and stay. But...

Greater Omaha continues to build momentum as a competitive destination for advanced manufacturing, energy infrastructure, and next-generation industry. Eaton – a global power management company with nearly $25 billion in annual revenue – has announced plans to expand its operations in Bellevue with a new 370,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, a tangible signal of that momentum in action. The more than $30 million investment, driven by rapidly increasing demand tied to advanced manufacturing, represents both a significant economic win today and a strategic positioning for the future. This expansion is expected to bring more than 200 high-quality jobs to the region, building on Eaton’s existing workforce of approximately 175 employees in the area. These are the types of jobs that strengthen families, support communities and contribute to long-term economic growth. At the same time, the project reinforces Greater Omaha’s growing role in advanced manufacturing and the critical...

The Greater Omaha Chamber yesterday applauded the Nebraska Legislature’s passage of LB 1165, the Grow the Good Life Act, one of the most significant economic development packages in recent years aimed at strengthening Nebraska’s ability to compete for jobs, talent, and investment. The legislation modernizes Nebraska’s economic development tools by enhancing performance-based incentives, strengthening employer retention strategies, expanding flexibility for childcare support, and introducing new mechanisms to attract and retain workforce talent. It builds upon and enhances the ImagiNE Nebraska Act, reinforcing the state’s commitment to long-term economic growth and competitiveness. “LB 1165’s passage by the Nebraska Legislature is a significant step forward for Nebraska’s economic future and a clear signal that our state is serious about competing, and winning, in today’s national economy,” said Heath Mello, President & CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber. “This legislation...