For more than 40 years, Cox Communications has been part of the Omaha business landscape. In that time, it’s grown well past its “cable company” roots. From fiber broadband and mobile services to cloud solutions and commercial resources, Cox has evolved into a full-fledged technology provider—with deep local roots and a forward-thinking vision.

“We’re truly a tech company now,” said Kim Rowell, Market Vice President of Nebraska and Iowa for Cox Communications. “When someone calls us ‘Cox Cable,’ I get it—but that’s just one piece of what we do. Everything we’re building is about reliability, seamless connectivity, and customer experience.”

Innovation That Listens

Cox is aggressively working to deliver fiber-to-the-home broadband across its Nebraska markets, planning not just for today—but for tomorrow’s digital demands.

That foresight includes proactive diagnostics, intelligent network nodes, and customer-centered tools. Whether customers are engaging via app, chatbot, or a doorstep interaction with Cox’s direct sales team, the goal is always ease and reliability.

“We’re listening very closely,” Rowell said. “We’ve invested heavily in telemetry so we can anticipate issues and act—sometimes before the customer even knows there’s a problem. The expectation now is ubiquitous broadband, like electricity or water. Our job is to meet that standard and then make it seamless.”

People First, Always

Technology may be the product, but culture is the engine. That culture dates back to the company’s founding in 1898 as the Dayton Daily News under Governor James Cox, and it is still felt in every decision.

“One of the first things people notice is the tenure of our employees,” Rowell said. “We have team members who’ve been here 25 years, 35 years. That’s a reflection of a values-based culture. Our motto is: Do the right thing, always. And we live that—especially when it comes to our team and the community.”

That culture of care shines through Cox Charities, a fund that is powered and directed by employees themselves. Local teams choose where to give and how to support the causes that matter most to their communities.

“Every market has its own flavor,” Rowell said. “What matters in Nebraska isn’t necessarily the same as in Louisiana or Arizona. So we empower local teams to shape their outreach in a way that truly resonates.”

A Passion for Omaha—and Its Future

Cox’s pride in Omaha runs deep. From its six local retail stores to partnerships with developers and homebuilders, the company is invested in Greater Omaha’s future.

“Omaha punches well above its weight in culture and quality of life,” Rowell said. “We’ve got amazing public-private partnerships like the Joslyn, Omaha Performing Arts, and the Luminarium. And our people—inside the company and across the city—care deeply about making this a great place to live.”

That local pride has also fueled partnerships with the Greater Omaha Chamber. Cox is a founding investor in the Small Business Leadership Academy, a program developed in collaboration with Metropolitan Community College and the Chamber to help small businesses scale and succeed.

“Our first cohort of 13 graduated in June, and the response was incredible,” Rowell said. “We’re helping small businesses build real capacity—to become vendors for larger companies, manage accounting and legal needs, and ultimately grow.”

Why the Chamber Matters

For Cox, Chamber membership is about more than a logo at an event. It’s about playing an active role in economic development and talent attraction.

“The Chamber is doing vital work—advocating at the state and federal level, supporting small business, and attracting the people who will grow this community,” Rowell said. “Whether you’re in ag or tech or healthcare, we all want the same thing: more people in Nebraska who love it here and want to stay.”

Rowell encourages other business leaders to lean on their network, especially the one built through the Chamber.

“Don’t be afraid to ask,” she said. “Use the Chamber. They’re a connector and a foundation for doing business in Omaha. Most of us want to help each other—we just need to start the conversation.”