The July 10, 2025 Weekly Market Report

La Plaza Fiesta, a Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based Mexican restaurant, is expanding to Omaha at 12405 West Center Road in Westwood Plaza, taking over the former El Vallarta space. The restaurant is known for its margaritas and scratch-made menu. An opening date has yet to be announced.

Know Good, a bakery and “brunchette” concept by the owner of Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop, has opened at 3528 Center Street in the former Sunnyside on Center space. The menu features house-made bagels, sandwiches, artisan toast bowls, pastries and Archetype Coffee.

Gimme the Scoop, a locally owned, Italian-ice, food truck, will host a grand opening on July 26 at its new location inside Huskerland Popcorn at 2305 North 90th Street. The event includes face painting, a raffle and a bounce house. The shop offers handcrafted, dairy-free treats free of artificial additives.

Stories Coffee will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting July 15 at 15526 Spaulding Plaza, which opened in May. The event includes free coffee, tea and pastries, plus the debut of a coffee-inspired alcohol menu. Stories operates four other Omaha locations plus one in Lincoln.

VIP Lounge, a longtime local bar at 9001 Arbor Street, will move this August to 8505 Frederick Street in a space once occupied by Gaeta’s restaurant. The relocation, prompted by the need for more space and parking, marks the end of its 61-year run at its current spot.

Construction is underway on a Scooter’s Coffee drive-thru building on the northwest corner of 204th & N Street. The site is in front of a planned $40 million, 123,000 sq. ft. Banker’s Marketplace grocery story slated to open in late 2026.

Golf Galaxy is opening at 12204 K Plaza in the former Buy Buy Baby space at L Street Marketplace. Golf Galaxy is a retail store with indoor golf practice space. Its current location is in the Oak View Mall area at 3425 Oak View Drive. According to the building permit, the renovation of the 25,000 sq. ft. retail bay will include exterior improvements, new interior walls, HVAC and lighting.

Lovisa recently opened a store at Westroads Mall on May 16th. The Sydney, Australia-based retailer was founded in 2010 and now has hundreds of locations in approximately 40 countries. Lovisa sells “on-trend fashion jewelry at ready-to-wear prices.” The Westroads store is located on the first level across from Victoria’s Secret and PINK.

The “Restaurant & Retail Updates” section is sponsored by Anderson Convenience Market, featuring Quality AMOCO Fuels and serving Omaha since 1952, and proud to announce the return of Quality Amoco Fuels. Look for changes this Summer at Anderson Convenience Market – 8 Omaha area locations!

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

Developer Plans Renovations and New Construction in Little Bohemia Makeover

Tom Mcleay, president of Clarity Development, has transformative plans for the historic Little Bohemia district, located around 13th & William Street just south of downtown.

Last week, Mcleay presented his vision for the district to the planning board as they considered and approved two Tax Increment Financing applications related to the project.

The first TIF application involves renovation and rehabilitation of four existing commercial buildings, including the former locations of Donut Stop at 1256 South 13th Street, and the Zlata Husa (“Golden Goose”) restaurant that was located in the corner building on the northwest corner of 13th & Williams Street.

Additionally, the developer will rehabilitate two buildings at 1316 and 1318 Williams Street. These buildings will boast renovated ground floor commercial space and significant outdoor patio areas for new restaurants and retail. The former Zlata Husa building and the Williams Street buildings will also have renovated second floor apartments. The total cost of this portion of the project is $6.2 million, and the TIF loan is $868,950.

The second TIF application involves new construction totaling $34 million and will add 153 market-rate apartment units. This portion of the project is largely bounded by 14th Street to the rear of the historic commercial buildings on 13th Street, and from Williams Street up to Omaha Dog Bar. The new construction consists of a 5-story, podium-style apartment building, a separate, 3-story apartment building, several townhouse apartments, and a 2-story, mixed-used building at the northeast corner of 14th & Williams Street.

The developer also plans to build a 10-unit apartment building at the northeast corner of 12th & Williams Street. The buildings will be interweaved with existing structures, maintaining the historic fabric of the neighborhood while increasing density exponentially.

While the TIF package was approved, the platting/plan for the 10-unit apartment building was been laid over a month due to concerns with certain details of the building including parking.

Construction of both the historic rehabilitations and new construction is anticipated to start in the fall.

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Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

The City of Omaha is making a $100 million commitment to the CHI Health Center expansion project currently underway. The City Council approved an amendment to the city’s agreement and lease with Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority, which outlines the City’s obligations to help fund the project. Additionally, private sources will fund $75 million of the project’s cost. The expansion includes a 94,000 sq. ft. addition to the east side of the convention center, which will create 25 more meeting rooms.

The amendment also outlines an agreement to perform an analysis of the parking that serves CHI Health Center and Charles Schwab Field. In a previous amendment, the City committed to provide 4,970 MECA-managed parking stalls. However, due to the streetcar, additional parking facilities built in the area and future planned parking facilities, the city and MECA will reconsider how many stalls the city is required to provide.

Relatedly, the city and MECA agreed to coordinate future development on the large surface parking lots known as Lot B and Lot D. In 2018, the city and MECA participated in a community-based effort to master plan future development of Lot B in a development agreement. Now the city and MECA formally ratified the terms of development agreement. The city will conduct a community-based master planning effort for Lot D by June 1, 2026, which will include reconsideration of the covenants, restrictions and provisions under the Lot B development agreement. The impetus to develop Lot B and Lot D is on the city, however, MECA will have an opportunity to review and comment on any development plans.

Leasing has officially started at The Monico, a 5-story apartment building nearing completion at 1508 Marcy Street downtown. Urban Village is developing the 83-unit building on a 35,000 sq. ft., former industrial site that was once home to Monico Diesel Engine Service. The Monico offers a mix of lofts and studios as well as one- and two-bedroom layouts. Each unit comes with quartz countertops and stainless-steel appliances. Property amenities include underground parking, a package room, bike storage/repair station and in-unit washer/dryer combos. Opening is planned for early August.

Omaha ranked 45th on Resonance Consultancy’s annual America’s Best Cities list, higher than neighboring metros Des Moines, Iowa (#52) and Kansas City (#56). The list is limited to metros with 500,000 or more people and is based on factors correlated to attracting 25–44-year-olds, visitor expenditure and business formation. In addition to traditional metrics, Resonance Consultancy takes into account people’s perception of a city by reviewing survey data and social media as well as online reviews of restaurants, museums and events.

Two new businesses are coming to the northwest corner of 16th & Cuming Street in North Downtown. Two interior renovation permits are on file for a 2,000 sq. ft. commercial building at 910 North 16th Street, right next to Elie’s Chinchorro. The businesses opening in that building are 910 Wine Lounge and Lit Cigar Bar.

The State of Nebraska has chosen Kearney for the fifth and final Good Life district, beating out Papillion. Kearney’s district will be on 200 acres of vacant land surrounding the city’s SportsPlex and will include retail, restaurants and attractions developed by a private developer. Good Life Districts are intended to attract new industries, generate employment and strengthen Nebraska’s retail, entertainment and tourism sectors. Fifty percent of state sales taxes generated in the district are rebated to the city to assist in funding the development for 30-year period. Other approved districts are in Gretna, Bellevue, Omaha and Grand Island.

The Greater Omaha Chamber hosted its annual Select Tour during the 2025 College World Series last month in Omaha. The Select Tour brings some of the nation’s leading site selectors and corporate location advisors to town. These professionals influence where companies expand, where new tech opportunities land, and where emerging industries take root. Read more HERE.

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.

NAI NP Dodge has released its second quarter 2025 commercial real estate report for the Omaha market. Office vacancy is up to 8.3 percent in Omaha. Retail vacancy is at 4.8 percent, while industrial vacancy is only 2.6 percent. At the end of the second quarter, 1.2 million sq. ft. of office space was under construction. Industrial space is growing even faster as 4.6 million sq. ft. was under construction last quarter.

All Makes will open its new Lincoln showroom Monday, July 28th at 200 South 21st Street, Suite A116, in the Capital City’s Telegraph District. Omaha-based All Makes’ existing Lincoln office is at 3333 O Street.

First National Bank of Omaha and Wawa, Inc. announced the launch of the Wawa Mastercard for Wawa customers. The Wawa Mastercard offers cardholders fuel discounts and credit card points. Pennsylvania-based Wawa is a privately held company operating more than 1,100 gas station-convenience stores mostly in the eastern part of the United States.

N&N Learning Tree Academy is opening at 808 Village Square in Gretna. That’s just southwest of the Highways 6/31 & 370 intersection. The space had been occupied by a daycare for the past 20 years but has undergone renovation. Locally owned and operated by the Nelsen and Nicholson families, N&N Learning Tree Academy offers educational care for children 6 weeks through 12 years.

Werner Enterprises, Inc. has been named a Green Supply Chain Partner by Inbound Logistics, marking the 13th consecutive year the company has earned this recognition. The annual list highlights 75 companies demonstrating a “deep and ongoing commitment to sustainability in global supply chains.”

ETS Performance, a youth athletic facility, will celebrate the grand opening of its west Omaha location Saturday, July 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 20109 Franklin Circle. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet NFL defensive tackle Harrison Phillips and learn about ETS’s training programs for athletes ages 8–18. ETS operates more than 40 locations nationwide.

Wander + Wonder Kids Play Café will open this fall at 120 North McKenna Avenue in downtown Gretna next door to the recently opened Prim Studios. Owned by Arya Pokhrel of Bennington, Wander + Wonder Kids Play Café will have a full-service barista serving beverages and food items and a “thoughtfully designed play area for independent and imaginative play.”

Mutual of Omaha has collaborated with Chicago-based bswift to streamline the Evidence of Insurability process for employers who offer Mutual of Omaha insurance products to their employees. This automated, real-time connection eliminates the need for manual forms and paperwork, providing faster decisions and a more intuitive experience for both HR teams and employees.

FNTS, an Omaha-based IT managed services provider announced the launch of its FNTS Cloud for High Performance Computing, a fully managed, scalable cloud solution designed to support compute-intensive workloads in simulation, AI, engineering and scientific research and development.

Dean Snyder Construction (DSC), founded in 1958, is a family-and-employee-owned general contractor and design-build firm. We serve the commercial, food and beverage processing, industrial, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and healthcare markets. Our commitment to hard work, direct communication, owner involvement, and exceeding client expectations ensures long-term customer satisfaction. Contact us at www.deansnyder.com

As part of Thrasher Gives Back Day, which celebrated the company’s 50th anniversary, two major repair projects were completed on July 7. The repairs totaled $120,000 in donated services and involved 170 employees.

• Abide Omaha received $75,000 in repairs to one of its Lighthouse Homes in north Omaha. The Lighthouse model places local leaders in renovated homes to help reduce crime and foster stronger neighborhoods. This was Thrasher’s largest project of the day and included major structural work, concrete leveling, gutter installation and block-wide yard cleanup, with 105 employees on-site.
• Good News Church received $45,000 in repairs to restore the Joseph House, a transitional housing space provided rent-free to individuals in crisis, including foster families, traveling nurses and domestic violence victims. The basement was previously uninhabitable due to water damage. Thrasher completed foundation repair, waterproofing, drainage improvements, and yardwork, with 65 employees participating.

On Deck Housing is preparing to sell five affordable homes in East Omaha. The newly constructed 3-bed, 2-bath ranches are being sold for $200,000 and eligible for owner occupancy only. On Deck Housing plans to build 40 similar homes in the next 12 months.

The Kiewit Luminarium is hosting guest educators from the Bee Lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and The Mushroom Block as part of its latest traveling exhibit, “Creatividad silvestre | Wild Creativity.” The educators will be presenting hands-on learning opportunities at workshops exploring biomimicry.

Omaha Community Foundation has reported its 2024 giving results. Highlights include:

• $235.8 million granted through nearly 18,000 grants – 80 percent of those dollars stayed in the Omaha metro
• Top giving areas: Education (21%), Human Services (13%), Philanthropy (10%)
• The Pathways Community HUB was launched, serving 103 pregnant women
• More than $1 million was raised for tornado recovery, with the first grants going out within a week

Henry Winkler, a prominent actor, who played The Fonz on Happy Days, is coming to Omaha August 7 to help raise funds for the Nebraska Childhood Brain Tumor Program. He’ll be delivering a keynote address with humorous anecdotes, inspirational life lessons, stories from his career on screen and more. Purchase tickets HERE.

The Omaha STEM Ecosystem, a local nonprofit, which coordinates education, government, nonprofit and business entities to maximize science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning initiatives for students and adults, is hosting the STEM Connect Series event, “Connecting Pathways: The Evolution of AI,” on Tuesday, July 15 at 4:30 p.m. at MCL Construction. The event will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming industries and how Omaha is responding to ensure a future-ready STEM workforce.

Community supporters who use SHARE Omaha to donate to one of 500+ local nonprofits or find a new volunteer opportunity between now and July 18 will be entered for a chance to win two Omaha Storm Chasers tickets and a collectable bobblehead.

City Sprouts, a nonprofit led by former Senator Carol Blood, which works in urban farming, gardening and sustainability education, and youth empowerment, is raising $3,150 to provide 35 meals to seniors five days a week for a month. They are also actively seeking volunteer members of their Garden Crew.

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Think No One’s Buying Homes Right Now? Think Again.

By Jill ANderson

If you’ve seen headlines saying home sales are down compared to last year, you might be thinking – is it even a good time to sell?

Here’s the thing – the market’s pace has cooled compared to the frenzy we saw just a few years ago. But that’s not a red flag. It’s a return to normal. And normal doesn’t mean nothing’s happening. Buyers are still out there – and homes are still selling.

Why? Because real life doesn’t pause for perfect conditions. There are always people who need to buy – and this year is no exception. Buyers who are in the middle of a big change in their lives – a new marriage, a growing family or a new job – still need to move, no matter where mortgage rates are. And they may be looking for a home just like yours.

Every Minute 8 Homes Sell

Let’s break it down using the latest sales data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Based on the current pace, we’re on track to sell 4.03 million homes this year (not including new construction).

• 4.03 million homes ÷ 365 days = 11,041 homes sell per day
• 11,041 homes ÷ 24 hours = 460 homes sell per hour
• 460 homes ÷ 60 minutes = roughly 8 homes sell every minute

That means in the time it takes to read this, another eight homes will sell. Let that sink in. Every minute, buyers are making moves – and sellers are closing deals.

The Right Agent Makes All the Difference

If you’ve been holding off on selling your house because you think buyers aren’t out there, let this reassure you – there are still buyers looking to buy.

But since the market is balancing out, selling today takes more than just putting a sign in the yard. You’ve got to price your house right, market it well and know how to reach the buyers who are ready to act. That’s where a trusted local agent comes in. They’ll help you navigate this market, position your home to stand out and guide you through every step.

The market hasn’t stopped. Buyers are still buying. Life is still happening. And if selling your home is part of your next chapter, let’s make it happen.

Roughly 11,000 homes are selling every day – and yours could be next. When you’re ready to take the next step, let’s connect.

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

How the $2.8 billion House settlement impacts UNO, Creighton athletics

There has long been a divide on the matter of paying college athletes, and what a fair value for their performance truly is between the NCAA and its student-athletes. You likely have a strong opinion on what an 18-year-old should be compensated for playing a sport, and the potential implications it may have on collegiate athletics and pure “amateurism.”

One side argues that free tuition, room and board through scholarships is more than a fair trade for student-athletes’ time and effort outside of the classroom. The other side points to the nonprofit organization that is the NCAA, which generated a record $1.4 billion in revenue in 2024, almost exclusively from ticket sales and media revenue generated by events showcasing its student athletes.

One month ago, a federal judge approved a $2.8 billion antitrust settlement that will allow schools to pay student-athletes directly for their name, image and likeness through licensing deals. The decision came from a lawsuit filed by Grant House, a former Arizona State swimmer, who sued the NCAA and “power five” athletic conferences. The suit further dismantles the power the NCAA has held over universities and student athletes’ earning power for decades.

In Year 1 – the 2025-26 academic year – schools can opt-in to share up to $20.5 million with student athletes, with that funding coming from sources such as media rights revenue, ticket sales and sponsorships. These funds would be distributed amongst the entire athletic department, with football and basketball likely to take the largest shares in most cases.

Last June, the Big East Conference struck a media rights deal that will earn each member university roughly $20 million to $23 million during the 2025-26 season. In the Big Ten Conference, each member institution earned more than $60 million exclusively from media-rights revenue in 2024, with 2025-26 revenue splits projected to rise to $75 million. Schools in these conferences earn disproportionate amounts of money, but in an attempt to level the playing field across college athletics, each school is limited to sharing just that $20.5 million with its student-athletes.

Sounds like a good plan, right? Student athletes get their rightful share of revenue that they help generate, and schools have a structured say in how that revenue is distributed. In addition, there’s now a salary cap in place to govern power conferences from outspending everyone else for top talent. A Deloitte-run NIL clearinghouse has even been established to review third-party NIL deals exceeding $600 to ensure legitimate agreements at fair market value.

One thing was forgotten though – What about everyone else? What about the military academies – Air Force, Army, Navy – which are barred by military rules from compensating student athletes through name, image and likeness? What about Ivy League schools, which do not provide athletic scholarships and focus on offering world-class academic opportunities first and sports as an extension?

What about schools like UNO, who have no monster media rights revenue coming in from the one-bid Summit League?

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The Opera Omaha Guild invites sixth and seventh graders to participate in the 2025 Cotillion, a program that combines dance, dining and social skills, with an emphasis on learning how to connect with others through kindness and confidence. Politeness leads the way, and dance steps follow. Classes take place on Sundays, September 7, 14, 21, 28 and October 5, with a Graduation event on Sunday, October 19. Register HERE.

The Omaha Mobile Stage Youth Talent Show Finals are happening Sunday, July 13 at 6:00 p.m. at Gene Leahy Mall. The event will feature more than 30 performing arts acts, representing the top talent from five prior youth talent competitions that took place May 31 through June 29 throughout the Omaha metro.

Omaha Performing Arts has added three new events to the performance calendar.

A Motown Christmas comes to the Orpheum Theater on Saturday, November 15 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $63.50 and go on sale Friday, July 11 at 10 a.m. through ticketomaha.com.

Spiritbox: Tsunami Sea North American Tour Part II comes to Steelhouse Omaha Saturday, November 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $79.70 and go on sale Friday, July 11 at 10 a.m. through steelhouseomaha.com.

Tape B: The Soundtrack to Everything You Forgot comes to Steelhouse Omaha Sunday, November 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $45.35 and go on sale Friday, July 11 at 10 a.m. through steelhouseomaha.com.

Spaw Collective is a local, woman-owned dog grooming salon opening in 2025. We prioritize safety and comfort, offering traditional grooming services along with fun, safe coloring options. Our shop features a curated retail area with products from local artisans, supporting the community. Committed to quality and care, we aim to create a positive environment where pets feel loved and owners trust us with their furry babies. Spaw Collective is located at 5094 South 108th Street.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

Bosses’ suspicions of TV-binging remote workers may be right. Research reveals that employees clock in 2.65 fewer hours on the job while working from home, compared to their in-office counterparts, according to Fortune. “Despite the appeal of flexible schedules and some myth-busting, it’s been found that remote staffers can be less productive, fake work and watch movies on the job.”

Fifty percent of U.S. adults consider buying American-made goods either very or extremely important, per a Sales Factory survey of 150,000 consumers. According to The Hustle, age and price both play a role: Gen Z cares the least, with just 35 percent deeming it an important factor. Fifty-one percent of respondents said they wouldn’t pay more than a 10-percent premium for an American-made item while 26 percent would refuse to pay any extra.

Switching to a four-day work week apparently can be good for the bottom line, according to CNN, which recently reported the results of a study in the United Kingdom. For six months between last November and April, nearly 1,000 employees across 17 companies worked a shorter week while retaining the same pay and workload. All 17 companies have kept the shorter work week after the trial period.

SALES

Face-to-face, or field sales teams, make up 71.2 percent of the total sales force, according to Spotio.

You simply can’t will yourself more confidence, according to sales guru Jeff Shore. Confidence is a result of combining belief and mastery. Start with belief. “Make sure you believe in yourself, in the value that you bring, and in the reasons you’re doing this in the first place. When your belief is strong, then you can move on to mastery.”

We need to be better at taking care of clients. Fifty-eight percent of buyers report that sales reps are unable to answer their questions effectively, according to Spotio.

WISDOM

“True leadership lies in guiding others to success – in ensuring that everyone is performing at their best, doing the work they are pledged to do and doing it well” – Bill Owens

Building Omaha is a partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) & the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Together, we provide the highest level of trained electricians for residential, low-voltage, or commercial construction projects. Visit buildingomaha.org to learn more. Earn while you learn and apply for our Apprenticeship Program by clicking HERE!

Did you know that the largest employers in the Omaha metro area are Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska Medicine, CHI Health and Methodist health System?

Did you know that 9.2 million people live within a 250-mile radius of downtown Omaha?

Did you know that raisin bran cereal was invented by Omaha’s Skinner Macaroni Company?

This section is sponsored by Lockbox Storage, an affiliate of Omaha-based McGregor Interests Inc. We provide storage solutions for all of your storage needs. Our facilities have full-time managers and bright lighting to provide superior security for your belongings. In addition to space for rent, we also provide packing supplies, protection plans and locks along with complimentary handcarts and dollies. Visit LockBox Storage and let us help you with all your storage needs.

Friday Night Movies in Turner Park happening on July 11th: 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.

Heartland Pride happening July 11th and 12th: Celebrate the spirit of inclusion and the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders at Heartland Pride 2025, a two-day event filled with energy, creativity and community. The festivities begin Friday evening with Youth Pride, a celebration focused on empowering LGBTQ+ youth through music, connection and self-expression. On Saturday, the Heartland Pride Parade kicks off the day, followed by a full day of festivities at the Heartland Pride Festival, spotlighting love, unity and unforgettable performances!

Luna Babies Foundation Golf Outing happening on July 12th: The Luna Babies Foundation in a non-profit organization helping families after infant loss. This is their first golf outing to raise funds for their mission to continue to help families. The event is at Eagle Hills Golf Course on July 12th with tee time of 1:30 p.m. – 18-hole golf outing with scramble format. There will be course contests as well. Get your tickets now and reserve your spot!

Lunch & Learn: Master The Essentials Of Efficient Shipping happening on July 15th: Are you ready to master the essentials of efficient shipping, from packing to delivery? Join others on Tuesday, July 15th for insights on “Shipping 101” with Senior Sales Executive Ryan Barr from FedEx. The perfect guide in helping business owners find the best solutions for their shipping, packaging and delivery. You’ll learn insights into process analysis, transportation market and more!

Paul Smith’s Journey from Tenaska Co-Founder to Millwork Commons Visionary happening on July 17th: Scale Omaha, powered by the Nebraska Startup Academy, is proud to host Paul Smith, founding principal of Paul G. Smith Associates and co-founder of energy giant Tenaska, for an inside look at building world-class companies and reinvesting those wins back into Omaha’s urban core. Hear how Paul scaled an energy powerhouse, then pivoted to community-driven real estate, all while staying rooted in purpose and philanthropy. Expect candid insights on capital deployment, public-private partnerships and why the Midwest is ripe for bold visionaries!

This section is sponsored by Eagle Mortgage, a locally owned, full-service mortgage company helping you with Conventional, VA, FHA and USDA loans in both Nebraska and Iowa. Learn how Eagle Mortgage helps people afford the home of their dreams by clicking HERE!

The Greater Omaha Chamber announced the hiring of Liz Kerrigan as its new senior vice president of member & investor relations. She will lead the Chamber’s membership and investor engagement strategy, overseeing efforts to expand, retain and deepen relationships with the nearly 3,000 member businesses and organizations. Kerrigan most recently served as community impact manager at Farm Credit Services of America. She previously served for six years at the Greater Omaha Chamber as senior director of leadership development.

Melissa Hovendick of NP Dodge Real Estate has been named a Top 25 finalist in the 2025 Real Estate Rookie of the Year awards, presented by RISMedia and sponsored by Colibri Real Estate. The program honors standout new agents across the country who are making an extraordinary impact early in their careers. Selected from hundreds of nominations nationwide, the Top 25 finalists represent five regions. Finalists must have received their license in January 2023 or later.

The Greater Omaha Chamber is a catalyst and connector, advocating for businesses small and large. Learn, share and grow with more than 12,000 professionals from 3,000 member businesses across Greater Omaha. Click HERE to see our latest events.

The stock market loves good news and hates bad news. The problem is that it has trouble deciding which is which. It also reserves the right to pause and change its mind midstream – without prior notice to the investing public.

Last week, Congress passed what the media refer to as “The Big Beautiful Bill.” It covers a sweeping number of topics that will impact the trajectory of our society and economy for years to come.

Many of the issues addressed in the Big Beautiful Bill are social in nature and of minor concern to the market. But there are two areas covered in the bill that have significant implications for the market’s future: Energy and interest rates.

The bill does not directly address interest rates, but the unintended consequences of its projected addition of $3.7 trillion to the national debt cannot be ignored. The additional debit service will force the Treasury to go into the bond market and put upward pressure on interest rates. This would require the private sector to pay more for capital to grow their businesses and increase the headwinds to national economic growth. The lower economic growth is, the slower the stock market increases. The flip side is that increased government borrowing could trigger the Fed to lower rates to decrease the cost of government debt service, a plus for both economic and stock market growth.

The bill contains two energy-related provisions with stock market ramifications: It encourages domestic production in both the coal and petroleum industries. At the same time, it cancels most government subsidies to the alternative energy industries of wind and solar power. Both have been commercial losers. It also eliminates tax incentives to buy electric vehicles. Couple this with incentives for the auto industry to return production to American soil, and you end up with a smaller trade deficit, which adds positive numbers to the GDP.

The response of the 90 million Americans with 401(k) plans to this hazy forecast could be one of confusion and despair. But history tells us that the American economy has faced many uncertain times. And each and every time, it has emerged bigger and stronger.

If the stock market’s initial response to the Big Bill is negative, those 401(k) participants who are index funds investors will be able to buy additional shares at a reduced price and lower their average cost. If the market’s response is positive, the total value of 401(k) index fund portfolios will increase in value.

For more on index funds, visit my podcast, Wall Street for Dummies.

Hubbell Realty Company is a full-service development company providing construction, development, homebuilding and management services since 1856. Click HERE for more information.

Quantum Fiber in Omaha, Nebraska, is super-fast, reliable internet. We did away with data caps, bundles, and pricing gimmicks because you don’t want them. Instead, you get game-changing customer service, transparent pricing, and a powerful app for freedom, simplicity, and control over your internet. Quantum Fiber is what internet service looks like when it’s built for the world of you.

The Grow Omaha radio show broadcasts live every Saturday morning at 9:00, but now you can watch videos of each episode instead of just listening.

Grow Omaha’s brand-new website features video footage shot inside the radio studio during each week’s show!

Videos include News of the Week, Lightning Round, guest interviews, and “Grow Omaha Uncut,” a behind-the-scenes look at what happens during commercial breaks.

Support the Grow “O” Mission

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