Greater Omaha Chamber 2011 End of Year Report
Dear Members:
How fortunate we are to live in Greater Omaha. Our economy has grown for nine consecutive quarters and the outlook for 2012 is for continued growth.
Two rankings we received in 2011 show that our strong business climate is being noticed:
#1 - America's Most Affordable Cities (Forbes - January 2011)
#1 - 10 Best Value Cities for 2011 (Kiplinger - July 2011)
2011 was a great year! Much was accomplished for you, including making Greater Omaha a better place to do business. Here are some highlights:
- The Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership delivered on the promise to increase business, investment and employment in the area. The team closed 54 economic development projects, which represent 1,260 new jobs and 2,114 jobs retained, and an investment of nearly $338 million.
- International successes included German-based Evonik Industries, announcing a more than $80 million business expansion, and the creation of 10 new positions in Washington County; Gov. Heineman's Reverse Trade Mission, where four international business expansions were announced in Nebraska -- two in Douglas County -- with companies located in Korea and China; the newest economic development brochure and website text, Global Destination, was translated into nine languages.
- We completed a very successful recruiting trip to Illinois, making contact with 89 business executives. Eleven individuals from six companies have visited Omaha -- a direct result of our visit. A number of subsequent visits to Omaha are already planned.
- Community development efforts were realigned to work acrossMidtown, North and South Omaha study areas. A business district revitalization project was implemented in four neighborhoods,redevelopment planning assistance was provided for two industrial sites in North and South Omaha, a redevelopment tour was hosted in mid-summer and a new Redevelopment Resource Guide was developed to provide a compilation of useful incentives to assist developers in their efforts.
- The Chamber led the effort to reform the Commission of Industrial Relations (CIR) during the Legislature's 2011 session.
- Media and developer tours were hosted in Cass County -- one more way to spread the word that we are the one-stop shop for business development in our four-county region.
- Chamber leadership programs continue to develop community leaders. Sixty-nine men and women graduated from Leadership Omaha and Omaha Executive Institute in 2011. Thirty-nine members of the Chamber's 2012 board graduated from the programs, including the chairman and chairman-elect.
- The groundwork was laid for our Intern Omaha program. In 2012 we will partner with leading Omaha businesses to help engage talented summer interns and demonstrate that Greater Omaha is a city with great employment opportunities and an unsurpassed quality of life.
- Seventy-six Young Professional Choice Award nominations were received, proving that Greater Omaha businesses are serious about making our city a place where young professionals are encouraged and nurtured. And, those young professionals are stepping up to lead -- more
than 100 volunteered throughout the year.
- An astounding 17,000-plus members attended about 120 events in 2011.Those opportunities helped you make buying and selling connections, enhance your skills and receive critical business information. Once again at the Buy the Big O! Show we orchestrated meetings between small business representatives and purchasing managers from larger companies.
- Recognition programs were broadened -- about 90 of you were honored with awards.
- Our online business directory resulted in approximately 900,000 referrals to member businesses. That's visibility!
- During the summer's Missouri River flood, we coordinated a special briefing for businesses to hear directly from a variety of agencies on how to handle
flood-related issues. - A chat tool was launched on OmahaChamber.org to allow staff to answer questions "real time" from our members and other site users.
- The Business Owner Success Series (BOSS) increased membership and involvement to more than 200 business owners, presidents or CEOs.
Thank you for your membership and for being our business partner in the advancement of Greater Omaha!
Watch Chamber President and CEO David Brown and the Chamber's 2011 and 2012 board chairmen, Jim Krieger and Nate Dodge, plan 2011 end-of-year message.
Regards,
David G. Brown, President and CEO
Jim Krieger, 2011 Chamber Board Chairman
Nate Dodge, 2012 Chamber Board Chairman