Greater Omaha Chamber

Greater Omaha Chamber President & CEO Heath Mello released the following statement as Nebraska mourns the passing of Chairman Emeritus and Co-Founder of Tenaska and former University of Nebraska Regent Howard Hawks: "We have truly lost a Nebraskan icon today. Not only was Howard Hawks a giant in the business community, but his selfless public service and philanthropy in countless endeavors made our state and city a better place to live and pursue one's dreams. Howard led an incredible life and has been widely recognized for his great contributions to the Omaha business community, including in 2002, when he was inducted in the Greater Omaha Chamber Business Hall of Fame. “In 2017, when Nebraska’s flagship university had the opportunity to name their new business college, Howard was asked to lend his name. Now, the future business leaders of Nebraska walk through the doors of Howard L. Hawks Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I had the honor of seeing Howard's bold leadership up close at the University of Nebraska System in his role on the Board of Regents and I will forever cherish the lessons I learned from him firsthand. “Although we will miss Howard greatly, us Nebraskans will hold him in our memory for the example he set as a business and civic leader who believed in the power of education and for the lives he touched along the way."

Exciting progress for Nebraska’s infrastructure! The Nebraska Highway Commission unanimously voted this morning to issue state bonds for the NE-Highway 275 expressway project from Norfolk to West Point. This milestone reflects a visionary and fiscally responsible approach to accelerating critical infrastructure improvements. Huge thanks and congratulations to Nebraska Department of Transportation Director Vicki K. and her senior team for their exceptional leadership in developing a sustainable bonding strategy that balances long-term growth with financial stewardship. Through the bold leadership of Governor Pillen and the Nebraska Legislature in passing LB 727 that authorized highway bonds, Nebraska remains competitive, connected, and prepared for the future. #BuildItNebraska

We’re ready to express heartfelt gratitude, recognize the hard work that drives our collective prosperity and toast the promising horizons ahead. Tonight, let’s eat, drink and be merry at the Holiday Open House at the Omaha Chamber offices. It’s our way of thanking members for another successful year. Each connection we've nurtured, every partnership we've forged, and all the challenges we've overcome together have propelled our local business community forward. We’ll see you tonight to raise a glass with fellow entrepreneurs, network with inspiring professionals and celebrate the collaborative strength that makes our business community extraordinary.

The Chamber's SVP of Economic Development, Alec Gorynski, MPA, traveled to Washington D.C. with First Five Nebraska and the BUFFETT EARLY CHILDHOOD FUND to attend the U.S. Chamber of Commerce childcare innovation summit. At this important summit, they were able to learn from other Chambers on how they are tackling Childcare as a core economic development issue in their communities and bring these ideas back to Nebraska.

The Greater Omaha Chamber extends its gratitude to the City of Omaha for allowing us to be part of the informational meeting on the Southside Terrace Phase II project. This meeting provided valuable details about the bidding process for contractors interested in this significant development. Missed the meeting? No problem—you can still submit a bid. Bidding Details: *Pre-Bid Meeting: December 11th, 2024 * Location: Sampson Construction Papillion Office 10982 Cumberland Drive, Papillion, NE 68046 *Bid Deadline: December 19th, prior to 2:00 PM Submission Options: -Email: estimating@sampson-construction.com -Hand-deliver: Sampson Construction Papillion Office -Fax: 402-434-7425 Construction Start Date: Spring 2025 For bidding inquiries, contact Connor Weihs at connor.weihs@sampson-construction.com. Need additional assistance? Contractors can reach out to Travis Blakely or Alejandra Jimenez with the Greater Omaha Chamber for further support. ajimenez@omahachamber.org or tblakely@omahachamber.org For any questions specifically to the Section 3 and /or Davis Bacon government applications or requirements , please contact Alyssa Silhacek at Alyssa.silhacek@cityofomaha.org We appreciate the Small Business Owners working to contribute to this important project and the growth of our community. Nebraska Enterprise Fund Canopy South Mundo Latino Magazine La Casa Del Pueblo Heartland Workforce Solutions AltCap The Simple Foundation Omaha Housing Authority Brinshore Development, LLC Sampson Construction Nebraska Business Development Center Omaha Human Rights and Relations Equal Housing Opportunity Travis Blakely, Jared Anderson, Karol Gonzalez, BC Clark, BS MIS, DTM, César A. García, PE, CAP®, Marcos A. Hernandez,

Omaha’s streetcar is an investment in our city. New development within our urban core — which is projected to exceed $3.9 billion over 15 years — means that the streetcar isn’t the only thing changing the way Omaha looks. Exciting developments are underway in every corner of our downtown — and more announcements are on the way! This economic boom creates job opportunities, broadens the city’s tax base, generates funding to pay for the streetcar project and, ultimately, spurs growth throughout the city. The streetcar will connect this new development to amenities such as The RiverFront, Omaha Children’s Museum, Steelhouse Omaha and more, helping people move around without the need to find multiple parking spots. By generating far more revenue than is needed to pay for the streetcar, Omaha will have an additional tens of millions of dollars for other investments that would nearly double Omaha’s affordable and workforce housing within the urban core, plus a total mobility system that includes an expanded bikeway. See how the streetcar is building momentum: https://lnkd.in/gHB_-8F9

We had an amazing time at our member meet-up last week! It was a great mix of coffee, conversation, and networking, with everyone getting a chance to take a tour and do some early Holiday shopping. We also held a fun business card raffle, where one lucky winner walked away with a beautiful holiday decoration! Huge thanks to Erik Terkelsen of Holidynamics, Inc. for hosting such a wonderful event. 🎄 #Networking #HolidaySeason #Community #ThankYou

Watching the season change from our beautiful view of Greater Omaha!

Today is Small Business Saturday, a day to celebrate the heart of our economy: small businesses. In Greater Omaha, these entrepreneurs fuel free enterprise, create jobs, and enrich our communities. As you shop this holiday season, remember to support the local businesses that make our region unique—including the incredible Greater Omaha Chamber members who power our economy. Together, let’s keep dollars local and show our appreciation for their hard work. Shop small, support big! #ShopSmall #BuyOmaha

Shop local this Small Business Saturday and support your community! With the holiday season in full swing, our vibrant community of small businesses is prepared to meet all your gifting needs. Support small businesses in Omaha on Nov. 30! Browse our list of Chamber members and discover their unique offerings: https://lnkd.in/gG76bdex