When a company decides where to build, speed matters. Site selectors want land that is ready now, not land that might be ready after months of studies, surveys and utility negotiations. Too often, promising sites are eliminated early simply because the questions about them haven’t been answered yet.
That’s why we’re pleased to announce that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded the Greater Omaha Chamber a $480,000 grant to accelerate site readiness across our region. Matched by $120,000 in Chamber resources, the $600,000 investment will fund the GO Ready Site Development Program, which aims to certify at least eight development-ready sites by the end of 2027.
GO Ready sites will be located in Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Washington and Dodge counties in Nebraska and Pottawattamie County in Iowa. Working with local economic development partners in each county, the Chamber will select industrial sites designed to attract large, employment-intensive projects, from advanced manufacturing and food processing to warehouse and distribution and data centers.
For each site, the program will complete the due diligence a prospective company would otherwise have to do itself: ALTA surveys, title work, geotechnical investigations, wetlands and endangered species reviews, Phase I environmental assessments and historic preservation reviews. Engineers will map utilities, work with providers to confirm capacity, estimate the cost of any needed extensions and develop conceptual site plans. Each site will end with a marketing package that gives companies the answers they need to move forward with confidence.
Why it matters now
Nebraska’s leaders agree that sites are a competitive priority. On September 29, Governor Jim Pillen signed Executive Order 26-22 at the Governor’s Summit in Kearney, creating the Governor’s Economic Growth Working Group, which includes the Greater Omaha Chamber. Among its charges is building a statewide inventory of available industrial sites, commercial properties and infrastructure assets to improve speed to market for expanding businesses.
GO Ready puts that priority into practice in Greater Omaha. By removing uncertainty about a site before a prospect ever visits, we can shorten timelines, reduce risk and win more of the projects that bring capital investment and quality jobs to our region.
Engineering firms: submit your proposal
The Chamber is now seeking proposals from qualified engineering firms to carry out GO Ready due diligence and engineering work. Proposals are due Friday, October 30, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. CT. To request the full RFP or submit questions in writing, contact Alec Gorynski, SVP of Economic Development, at agorynski@selectgreateromaha.com.