The August 21st Weekly Market Report

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

Revival House will open a second Omaha location in January 2026 at 16939 Wright Street in the former Parliament Pub space in the Shoppes at Legacy. The cocktail bar, owned by Flagship Restaurant Group, opened its first Omaha spot in June at 3737 Farnam Street in the Blackstone District.

Bobo’s Noodles and Dumplings will open at 812 North 14th Street in the former Session Room space on the southeast corner of the first floor at 1415 @ The Yard Apartments, according to Oak Investment Real Estate. The 3,600 sq. ft. restaurant has not announced an opening date.

VIP Lounge has reopened in a different location at 8505 Frederick Street in a space once occupied by Gaeta’s restaurant and For the Wild Birds store. VIP Lounge had operated at 9001 Arbor Street for 61 years.

Buffalo Wild Wings at 4287 South 114th Street in Southwestern Plaza is undergoing an extensive renovation. So far, the business has remained open during the project. Completion is scheduled for next month.

Starbucks Coffee has opened a store in Papillion’s Tower District, a 120-acre, mixed-use project northwest of 84th & Highway 370 in Papillion. The Tower District will also be home to Panera Bread, Casey’s, Pinnacle Bank, AutoZone and GreenState Credit Union. The development gets its name for its proximity to Papillion’s iconic water tower.

Tipsy Sisters, a mobile bar concept, is opening a brick-and-mortar spot at 12100 West Center Road in Bel Air Plaza. The new venue will feature a full bar and patio, while the mobile bar continues to operate on weekends at Heartland of America Park and Gene Leahy Mall.

Panera Bread is under construction in the Tower District, a 120-acre, mixed-use development on the northwest corner of 84th & Highway 370 in Papillion. Developed by Calabretto Building Group, the Tower District gets its name from its proximity to Papillion’s iconic water tower. In addition to this soon-to-open Panera, the district’s first business – a Starbucks Coffee – opened four weeks ago. Other occupants in the Tower District include Casey’s, Pinnacle Bank, AutoZone and GreenState Credit Union.

The Still, a longtime wine and spirits store in Lincoln, is expanding to west Omaha. Located at 204th & V Street in the Coventry development, the Omaha store is scheduled to open August 28.

Wick & Paper Studio has opened in a boutique space inside the Dizzy Mule building at 1252 Izard Plaza. The building is part of Millwork Commons, the burgeoning urban district north of Charles Schwab Field. Wick & Paper Studio is the brick-and-mortar home of both Telle & Resa Candle Co. and J.Diane Creations. Telle & Resa sells handcrafted soy wax candles. J.Diane Creations provides creative services, including handmade greeting cards, custom art and planning for events.

Riddle’s Jewelry Papillion plans to hold a ribbon cutting September 9th for its store at 7902 Town Center Parkway in Shadow Lake Towne Center.

Bowlero has rebranded its Elkhorn bowling entertainment center at 20902 Cumberland Drive as Lucky Strike, following the Virginia-based brand’s 2023 acquisition. The company’s Council Bluffs location at 1900 Madison Avenue is also slated to rebrand as part of a two-year rollout.

Sugared Ledge Bakery will close its Elkhorn shop at 920 North 204th Avenue on August 24. The business, which temporarily closed in February for renovations, said it will not renew its lease due to space limitations but is seeking a larger location.

Learn more about Anderson Convenience market at www.Anderson1952.com

Arizona-Based Developer Plans to Build Upscale Condos in West Omaha

An upscale condominium development is coming to Heartwood Preserve, the 500-acre, mixed development west of Boys Town.

Raymond Partners of Scottsdale, Ariz., plans to break ground in late 2025 or early 2026 on The Residences at Heartwood Preserve, a three-building condominium project surrounding an outdoor courtyard and swimming pool. Each building will be six stories high. The project will be built in three phases with Building 1 slated to open in the fall of 2028.

The site is on the southwest corner of Applied Parkway & Canopy Avenue just south of Valmont Industries’ global headquarters. Immediately to the east of the The Residences, is The Row, a walkable, mixed-use area, which will serve as Heartwood Preserve’s “downtown” area. So far, one building – a 4-story office building for Olsson – is currently under development in The Row.

Condo units in The Residences at Heartwood Preserve range from 1,730 sq. ft. to 3,073 sq. ft. Current offering prices start at $995,900 and go up to nearly $2.8 million per condo unit. The largest units have three bedrooms plus a den. Estimated Home Owners Association dues range from $865 to $1,537 per month.

Raymond Partners has developed similar properties in Park City, Utah; Scottsdale, Ariz; and Phoenix. The company chose Omaha because of Heartwood Preserve’s unique attributes. The development – rising on Boy Town’s former West Farm – is being master-developed by Applied Underwriters and has already attracted corporate headquarters offices, upscale restaurants and luxury houses. The west side of Heartwood Preserve features “the Greenways,” which consists of 82 acres of green space with 10,000 trees plus water features.

The condos will offer west Omaha’s suburban residents with premium amenities often seen in urban high rises. The main lobby will have a staffed front desk, expansive seating, a sports lounge, mail/courier room and exercise facility.

Residents will enjoy below-grade, secure, heated parking. Each unit will come with a basement storage unit. There will be one elevator reserved just for move-ins and move-outs. The unit interiors are amenity heavy. Units also will feature multi-slide door systems with moving glass walls to connect the main living areas with outdoor decks/patios.

is coming to Heartwood Preserve, the 500-acre, mixed development west of Boys Town.

Raymond Partners of Scottsdale, Ariz., plans to break ground in late 2025 or early 2026 on The Residences at Heartwood Preserve, a three-building condominium project surrounding an outdoor courtyard and swimming pool. Each building will be six stories high. The project will be built in three phases with Building 1 slated to open in the fall of 2028.

The site is on the southwest corner of Applied Parkway & Canopy Avenue just south of Valmont Industries’ global headquarters. Immediately to the east of the The Residences, is The Row, a walkable, mixed-use area, which will serve as Heartwood Preserve’s “downtown” area. So far, one building – a 4-story office building for Olsson – is currently under development in The Row.

Condo units in The Residences at Heartwood Preserve range from 1,730 sq. ft. to 3,073 sq. ft. Current offering prices start at $995,900 and go up to nearly $2.8 million per condo unit. The largest units have three bedrooms plus a den. Estimated Home Owners Association dues range from $865 to $1,537 per month.

Raymond Partners has developed similar properties in Park City, Utah; Scottsdale, Ariz; and Phoenix. The company chose Omaha because of Heartwood Preserve’s unique attributes. The development – rising on Boy Town’s former West Farm – is being master-developed by Applied Underwriters and has already attracted corporate headquarters offices, upscale restaurants and luxury houses. The west side of Heartwood Preserve features “the Greenways,” which consists of 82 acres of green space with 10,000 trees plus water features.

The condos will offer west Omaha’s suburban residents with premium amenities often seen in urban high rises. The main lobby will have a staffed front desk, expansive seating, a sports lounge, mail/courier room and exercise facility.

Residents will enjoy below-grade, secure, heated parking. Each unit will come with a basement storage unit. There will be one elevator reserved just for move-ins and move-outs. The unit interiors are amenity heavy. Units also will feature multi-slide door systems with moving glass walls to connect the main living areas with outdoor decks/patios.

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Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

The latest Grow Omaha Construction Update video, produced by Brad Williams, is now available on our website or by clicking HERE. Our construction videos are full of footage and information about local developments. Some of the projects featured in this video include the Mutual of Omaha tower, CHI Health Center expansion, Walter Apartments, The Arthur, The Nook Apartments, Premier Nebraska Volleyball, Gretna Landing, MidAmerican Energy Adventure Tower, The Duo, projects in North Downtown and much more.

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, a private, all-girls high school, is building an athletic complex on its Midtown campus near 36th & Burt Street. The state-of-the-art facility is tailored to serve female athletes and includes a competition gym holding 1,200 fans with an indoor track as well as a turf soccer field with a geothermal system installed below ground. Amenities include a locker room, weight room and commons area with a commercial-grade kitchen. Fundraising has surpassed 81 percent of the school’s $43 million goal.

The Papio Missouri River NRD is facilitating a sale of surplus properties along the Beltline Trail project in north Omaha totaling 3.6 acres to inCommon Housing Development for $53,837. inCommon is currently developing a multi-use residential project in the Park Avenue neighborhood southeast of Park & Poppleton avenues. The three parcels are located near Military Avenue & Hamilton Street next to the trailhead of the Beltline Trail that is currently under construction. inCommon’s bid application outlines potential development plans for the vacant properties, which would include rental and for-sale housing units and public green space.

Teledyne CETAC Technologies is renovating a light industrial space at 11105 Mockingbird Drive. The location was previously occupied by Cybotic Health Technologies. Teledyne is headquartered in Thousand Oaks, Calif., and provides products and services for elemental analysis of samples ranging from drinking water to radioactive waste. Its current Omaha site is at 14306 Industrial Road.​

Airlite Plastics is renovating its corporate headquarters at 6110 Abbott Drive near Eppley Airfield. According to a building permit application, Airlite plans to invest $1 million to create new divisions and office space in the building. Airlite was founded in Omaha and has more than 1,100 employees in six North American locations. It manufactures prepackaged food containers.

Sierra Homes has plans for an in-fill development at 56th & Frances Street. The City Council approved a planned unit redevelopment for the 13,000 sq. ft. vacant parcel. Plans show that the property will be subdivided into six lots each with 2-story, single-family houses with garages. Each home will be approximately 1,500 sq. ft. and have 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.

Omaha welcomed more than 750 attendees for the Association of Forensic Nurses annual conference held this week at CHI Health Center Omaha, according to Visit Omaha. The four-day event ends today. More than 95 percent of attendees came from outside the Omaha area.

The NU Board of Regents approved resolutions related to financing Project Health, the future hospital at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Two resolutions establish available financing up to $500 million. A separate resolution allows for submission of the application to the State of Nebraska for appropriated funds under the Nebraska Transformational Projects Act – Project Health. The State can match other private and public investments into Project Health up to $300 million and no more than $50 million per year.

Project Health is projected to cost $2.2 billion. Located on the former Munroe-Meyer Institute site, it will consist of a 2 million sq. ft. healthcare building that could reach as high as 400 feet. Groundbreaking is scheduled to take place sometime next year with construction taking place over the following seven years.

Grow Omaha Snippets are brought to you by Baird Holm LLP, the Exclusive Legal Partner of Grow Omaha. Baird Holm’s dedicated team of real estate lawyers has extensive experience in all aspects of real estate law, including purchases, sales, construction, zoning and land use, leasing, and dispute resolution. Click HERE for more information.

Southwest Airlines announced that it will add nonstop flight service from Omaha’s Eppley Airfield to New York City LaGuardia and Miami International Airport. The New York service begins March 5, 2026, while the Miami route starts March 7. American and Delta already offer nonstops between Omaha and New York. American currently offers seasonal nonstops to Miami. Southwest is Eppley’s biggest carrier and currently offers nonstops to Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, San Diego, St. Louis, Tampa and Washington, D.C.

Union Pacific plans to move 80 train-crew jobs from North Platte, Neb., to the Omaha area, according to the Omaha World-Herald. Union Pacific has cited problems hiring crew members in North Platte. Leaders of the Midwest Nebraska Central Labor Council and the North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corp. said they’ll strive to prevent those jobs from leaving.

Berkshire Hathaway bought a major stake in two of the nation’s biggest homebuilders—Lennar and DR Horton—in a vote of confidence for the struggling residential real estate sector, according to Realtor.com. The Omaha-based company’s investment in the homebuilders was worth more $991 million. The Lennar stock was worth $800 million, while the DR Horton stake was valued at $191.5 million.

Adult & Pediatric Urology/Urogynecology and The Urology Center have united to form UroHealth Partners. The combined organization launched July 1st. The physician‐owned practice combines 21 physicians and 13 advanced practice providers across four Omaha‐metro clinics plus outreach centers in Fremont, Columbus, Albion, Central City and West Point, Neb., as well as Shenandoah, Corning, Atlantic, Clarinda and Red Oak in Iowa.

Werner Enterprises approved a stock repurchase program under which the company is authorized to repurchase up to 5 million shares of its common stock. Upon approval of this latest program, the board withdrew the previous stock repurchase authorization, which had approximately 1.8 million shares remaining available for repurchase.

Vince and Claire Kline of Omaha have purchased Marco Shutters & Closets from longtime owners Mike and Linda Herman. The Papillion company started 25 years ago by manufacturing plantation-style shutters but has expanded to offer additional window coverings, custom closets and storage solutions.

Groundworks is the Greater Omaha Chamber’s August 2025 Business of the Month. The 33-year-old company focuses on foundation repair and water management.

Baird Holm announced that 66 of its attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® lists, with 46 selected as one of The Best Lawyers in America® and 20 included on The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch® list. Four of the 66 have been named “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practice areas.

For the sixth time in 2025, Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index sank below growth neutral 50.0, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy. The region’s overall reading for August fell to 48.1 after rising above growth neutral to 50.6 in July and 51.9 in June. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.

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The Dundee Merchants Association and Dundee Memorial Park Neighborhood are presenting the 2025 Dundee Day street festival on Underwood Avenue this Saturday, August 23. The event, which started in the 1950s, features the 5K Dundee Dash, Troop 100 pancake breakfast, a free barre and yoga class, live music and a street market featuring almost 150 vendors. Admission is free.

The Kim Foundation is presenting the 24th annual A Night Out fundraising event on September 4 at The Astro in La Vista at 6 p.m. Stand-up comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes will headline the event. The event will also include local and national artists exploring the realities of mental health, common misconceptions and how we care for ourselves and others. Go to kimfoundation.org to get your tickets.

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha announced that its 19th Annual Brew Haha event will move to a brand-new scenic location – Heartwood Park at 301 South 145th Street within Heartwood Preserve. The event, which takes place from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, September 5, features local breweries and eateries as well as live music. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of Omaha. This year’s honorary chairs are Andy and Collette Lozier. Andy is CEO of the Lozier Corporation, while Collette is a program officer focused on housing initiatives at the Lozier Foundation. Both have worked closely with Habitat Omaha on neighborhood revitalization.

On August 14, an affordable house designed by Metro Community College students was moved from the Construction Education Center on the Fort Omaha Campus to the lot it was designed for in the Miller Park Neighborhood. The project was completed in partnership with the Holy Name Housing Corporation, a nonprofit which provides quality affordable housing options and homeownership education in the Omaha metro area.

YouTurn, a north Omaha nonprofit violence prevention organization, announced plans to move from 34th & Ames Avenue into a larger, 7,300 sq. ft. space near 32nd & Dodge Street. The move will make space for the planned North High School football stadium and upgrades to the Butler Gast YMCA.

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July 2025 Market Stats

By Jill Anderson

U.S. existing-home sales fell 2.7 percent from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.93 million, according to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). Sales were unchanged from one year earlier. Regionally, monthly sales declined in the Midwest.

“The record high median home price highlights how American homeowners’ wealth continues to grow—a benefit of homeownership. The average homeowner’s wealth has expanded by $140,900 over the past five years,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

Locally, new listings decreased 8.8 percent for new construction, but increased 18.5 percent for existing homes year over year (YOY). Pending sales decreased 12.1 percent for new construction but were up 6.2 percent (YOY) for existing homes. Inventory decreased 3.5 percent for new construction but increased 26.3 percent for existing homes.

The average sales price for new construction was $476,562 and $375,204 for existing houses. Days on Market (YOY) increased 13.3 percent for new construction and 25 percent for existing homes. This shouldn’t be alarming; the average time an existing house was on the market before getting an accepted offer year to date is 17 days.

Months supply of inventory (YOY) for new construction went down 11.8 percent, while existing housing inventory went up 33.3 percent. Don’t get caught up on that percentage though, the inventory of existing houses on the market was at two months, which is still well below the balance between the number of houses on the market and the number of buyers wanting to buy.

Year to date, sellers of existing homes are seeing 99.1 percent of list price to final sales price.

If you’re considering selling or buying your next home, let the professionals at NP Dodge Real Estate work for you.

Grow Omaha Residential is developed and sponsored by Jill Anderson, President Residential Sales, NP Dodge Real Estate 402.255.5099 or jill.anderson@npdodge.com.

We’re not just real estate. We’re NP Dodge.

Cole Young, Contributing Writer

Creighton basketball added a late piece to its 2025 recruiting class with the signing of Kerem Konan from Turkey. Konan is a 6-foot-10 forward, who most recently played for Besiktas in the Basketbol Super Ligi in Turkey. The international big man also drew interest from South Carolina and Kansas before committing to the Bluejays.

Omaha Storm Chasers infielder Harold Castro was named International League Player of the Week August 11 to 17. Castro batted 9-for-17 (.529) with four home runs and seven RBIs. He ended Tuesday’s series-opening game against St. Paul with a walk-off single in the ninth inning.

The Omaha Supernovas added another star to their roster on Monday. The club signed outside hitter Sarah Wilhite Parsons, who was named the 2016 National Player of the Year at Minnesota. She is a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team and is a 10-time international medalist. Six of those medals came while playing under current Supernovas head coach Luka Slabe.

Union Omaha announced Tuesday that it’s hiring Jamie Henderson as the club’s first-ever sporting director. Henderson has been an international scout with Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United FC since 2019. Prior to that, he had held roles in the Omaha area with Papillion Soccer Club and Bellevue West High School. In soccer, a sporting director acts as a general manager and handles staff moves, roster management and strategic planning for the organization.

Omaha softball recently added Papillion native Brooke Dumont to its coaching staff. Dumont graduated from Papillion-La Vista, where she was a four-year all-state selection, before moving on to play four years at South Dakota State University. She continued her success there, earning All-Summit League First Team honors twice as a catcher. Dumont will join a Mavericks program that is seeking a fourth consecutive Summit League Championship as an assistant coach.

Both Creighton and Omaha men’s soccer will begin their respective seasons tonight at 6 p.m. Creighton will take on Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton, while Omaha will face Florida International down the coast in Miami. On Sunday, each team will swap opponents, with Creighton playing at Florida International at 5 p.m. and Omaha at Florida Atlantic at 6 p.m.

Creighton volleyball begins its season against Penn State in the AVCA First Serve on Saturday. The Bluejays, who fell to the Nittany Lions in the Elite Eight of last year’s NCAA Tournament, will be looking for revenge to ignite their 2025 campaign. Saturday’s match will be held at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln at 4 p.m. For Creighton fans who can’t make the trip, the match will be nationally televised on FS1.

Upcoming Games

• Omaha women’s soccer at SIUE | Thursday, August 21 | 5 p.m.
• Creighton men’s soccer at FAU | Thursday, August 21 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha men’s soccer at FIU | Thursday, August 21 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha Storm Chasers at Columbus | August 19 – August 24 | 6:05 p.m. Friday
• #12 Creighton volleyball vs. #2 Penn State | Saturday, August 23 | 4 p.m.
• Union Omaha vs. AV Alta FC | Saturday, August 23 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha women’s soccer at Lindenwood | Sunday, August 24 | 1 p.m.
• Creighton men’s soccer at FIU | Sunday, August 24 | 5 p.m.
• Omaha men’s soccer at FAU | Sunday, August 24 | 6 p.m.

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Calling Creatives and Culxr House are partnering for the inaugural Calling Creatives Conference this Saturday, August 23rd from 12 noon to 7 p.m. Calling Creatives Conference 2025 is an immersive, one-day event celebrating the talent and stories of local artists, designers, musicians and performers. This event is designed for everyone with a passion for the arts, from budding creators to seasoned professionals. Attendees will dive into hands-on workshops, panel talks and live performances, exploring a variety of creative fields—from fashion and dance to music and visual arts. Whether you’re looking to refine your craft, gain new skills, or connect with other creatives, Calling Creatives offers an inclusive space where all artistic expressions are celebrated.

Nebraska Arts Council launched a Creative District Poster Series with Flatwater Free Press in 2024. Artists were selected from highlighted districts to create an original artwork that celebrates the distinct cultural identities that make their communities truly special.

2024 posters for sale are: Ashland, Benson, McCook, Columbus, and Lincoln.

2025 posters for sale are: Chadron, Omaha, and Norfolk.

This year, two additional artworks were added to the project that celebrate Nebraska but are not tied to a Creative District. These works are created by Reyna Hernandez and Sarah Rowe.

Unity Fest returns with even more vibrancy and cultural pride this year on Saturday, August 30, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Gene Leahy Mall Pavilion downtown. This spectacular evening of community, culture and music—with CeeLo Green, a five-time Grammy Award winner, taking the stage as this year’s headliner, along with featured performers Marcos Eduardo’s Latino Music Explosion, Chad Stoner Band, Enjoli and Timeless, DJ Chain and host Felicia Casher.

Unity Fest 2025 is presented by Freedomtainment in collaboration with Casa de la Cultura – South Omaha, and proudly supported by Google, the City of Omaha, Nebraska Furniture Mart and other local partners.

Film Streams will screen the 1992 classic A League Of Their Own on Monday, August 25th at Builders Green, as part of their Film Streams On The Green outdoor film series. The free screening begins at 8:00 p.m.

The Omaha Symphony’s 2025/26 Season is upon us. Patrons can now purchase individual tickets to any of the 53 performances scheduled for the 2025/26 Omaha Symphony season. Series subscriptions and Create Your Own Season Ticket Packages are still available for purchase throughout the season.

Omaha Symphony performances are categorized into series which include Masterworks, Symphony Joslyn, LIVE with the Omaha Symphony, the Family Series, the annual Choral Collaborative program in partnership with area high schools, and a new concert series at the Cathedral.

For ticketing information, contact Ticket Omaha at 402-345-0606, or visit omahasymphony.org.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

The most successful people are the masters of their schedules. They realize time is the world’s most precious resource. That’s why an article by sales expert Nancy Bleeke caught my eye. She talks about things you can shoehorn into little 60-second time bits that can ultimately boost your success. If you’re looking to make one little minute count, use it to purge something. Pick up those items that aren’t where they belong…put them in their place or throw them away.

“Clearing clutter and organizing your surroundings can have a profound impact on your productivity and mental well-being, Bleeke says. This simple act of purging frees up mental energy, reduces distractions and promotes a sense of calm and order in your space, leading to increased focus and efficiency.”

Being polite is actually good for your health. The coarsening of our society is not harmless, according to Arthur Brooks writing in The Atlantic: “When you become less polite, the alteration in your conduct can make you less happy, more depressed and angrier about life. You may not be able to fix the broader trends in society, but you can—and should—fix this in yourself.”

SALES

Some salespeople have been trained to ask questions about the client’s problems and pain points. Having acquired the problem, the salesperson then explains they have the solution. Unless it’s your first week selling what you sell, you should already know what problems you solve and the implications on the client’s results, says sales author Anthony Iannarino. Instead of focusing on prospects’ problems, come prepared to challenge and maybe even surprise your prospect.

When average salespeople hear the word ‘NO,’ they think the sale is over. When top sales performers hear ‘NO,’ they know things are just getting started,” says Andrea Waltz, author of Why They Say No. She has been studying rejection in sales for more than 20 years. Don’t give up, she says. If you have a qualified prospect, stay engaged, offer value, follow up and be there when they are finally ready.

WISDOM

“We lie best when we lie to ourselves.” – Stephen King

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Did you know the tower crane being used to building Mutual of Omaha’s downtown skyscraper will top out at 750 feet high?

Did you know Vala’s Pumpkin Patch in Gretna draws visitors from a 300-mile radius?

Did you know that visitor spending currently supports 15,000 jobs in the Omaha metro area?

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Saturday Night Movies happening August 23rd: Join others for a blockbuster night under the stars in Omaha’s scenic Turner Park, with WICKED on the big, BIG screen. Blankets, lawn chairs and leashed pets are welcome. Arrive early to enjoy neighborhood eateries! Whether you prefer to dine inside, on the patio or take it to go for a park picnic, you’ll find a dozen locally-owned restaurants, pubs and dessert shops (many with outdoor patios!) within walking distance.

Midwest Pirate Fest happening August 23rd & 24th: Set sail for adventure at Midwest Pirate Fest, where nautical nonsense rules the day! Guests can join a daily $100 cash treasure hunt, enjoy five lively stages of entertainment and mingle with hundreds of pirates and costumed characters. Families will love free crafts, seek-and-find treasure bags and plenty of hands-on activities. With artisan shopping, festival dining and endless swashbuckling fun, it’s more excitement than you can shake a peg-leg at!

Lunch for the Girls happening on August 27th: Bringing renowned speakers to Omaha to Support The Girls! This luncheon will be held at CHI Health Center Omaha on Tuesday, August 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Poet, educator and author Nikki Giovanni will be this year’s featured speaker!

Float Fest happening August 27th: Join this fun-filled, family night at Scriptown Brewing with special guests, Coneflower Creamery. Float Fest is for all ages! Enjoy their classic Root Beer floats and along with a menu of Beer Floats for 21+. Come one, come all between 6 and 9 p.m. You don’t want to miss out!

Husker Football Tailgate and Watch Party happening August 28th: Join us for an unforgettable night of football, food and fun at the Husker Football Tailgate and Watch Party! They’re bringing the Memorial Stadium atmosphere back to the Granary Green! Watch the game on a massive 27-foot LED screen with booming sound and live DJ interaction. Grab your friends and family and cheer on the Huskers together!

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Green Plains Inc. has appointed Chris Osowski as Chief Executive Officer and member of the board of directors effective immediately. Osowski most recently served as executive vice president, operations and technology at the Omaha-based company since January 2022 and has been a member of the company’s executive committee since March 2025.

TitleCore National LLC has announced the hiring of Fred Dexter as a title examiner. He is a 20-plus-year veteran of the title insurance industry and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the TCN team.

Nebraska Medicine has chosen Dr. Amy McMurtry as vice president of operations, pharmacy and lab. She has been with the health care organization for more than six years.

Mutual of Omaha has appointed Doug Baker to senior associate general counsel. Before joining Mutual, he held leadership positions at Unum Group, most recently serving as vice president and Chief Litigation Counsel. Baker earned a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina.

Hancock/Dana has promoted Brandon Blum and Adam Parette to senior associate. The firm also promoted Tilden Bardsley, Conner Hardy and Amy Reynolds to supervisory senior.

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Last week, I discussed President Trump’s executive order allowing private equity into the 401(k)-investment menu. I thought the financial media’s fixation with the issue would last one or two news cycles before they moved on to a new shiny bobble du jure. NOT!

Thursday morning, I turned on CNBC, and a talking head was interviewing the CEO of Empower, the second largest provider of 401(k) record-keeping services. The CEO bragged that they were in the throes of adding private equity to their 401(k)-mutual fund mix. Under pressure from the talking head, the CEO was unable to articulate what that product would look like, but he was sure it would add handsomely to Empower’s bottom line.

I Googled Bloomberg seeking insight on the current state of 401(k) mutual fund offerings. Ninety-two of the current 7,143 plans contain index funds, whose fees average .01 percent. One hundred percent include actively managed mutual funds, whose average fee is .85 percent.

At this juncture, we can only speculate where a private equity product would fall on this price line. The current private equity packages are only available to high-net-worth individuals. The fees charged by these funds range anywhere from 2 percent to as high as 20 percent of the profits generated by the fund.

That same day, there was an article in the Wall Street Journal raising a red flag on the methodology private equity fund managers use to price the assets in their portfolios. In the case of the currently available mutual funds, the process is simple. You add up the closing value of all the stocks in the portfolio and divide that number by the number of shareholders. Thus, the value of the portfolio is established by the forces of the public market.

In the case of a private equity fund, we have a completely different situation. All of the assets are privately held. This could be a private company, real estate or commodities. In this case, it is the manager of the fund who establishes the price of the assets, not the public market. It should be obvious that this creates the potential for a conflict of interest.

The best-case scenario is that any private equity offering to the 401(k) market would come in the form of an EFT. This means that the price of the investment would set on the open stock market, but the only access investors would have on the value of the underlying assets would be the disclosure of the fund management.

The verdict is still out, and it remains to be seen exactly what the private equity vehicles will look like. But, before you even think about dipping you toe in the water, it’s critical that you do your due diligence so that you can be sure that the juice is worth the squeeze.

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