OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 14, 2018 – Results of the Greater Omaha Chamber’s annual Economic Outlook survey were released today, with 60 percent of regional CEOs reporting sales revenue increases in 2018 relative to 2017.
Further, 71 percent of CEOs said they expect 2019 sales revenue to increase over 2018 targets, leading analysts to infer a healthy economic outlook.
“Regionally, we are fortunate to be in a high-innovation, entrepreneur friendly, low-cost-of-living environment,” said David G. Brown, president and CEO, Greater Omaha Chamber. “While these attributes point to economic success, none of our current gains would be possible without our talented workforce engaged in a collaborative desire to do more every day.”
Brown’s remarks are echoed in both the Economic Outlook survey’s positive results (89 percent of CEOs also say their company performs the same or better than other companies in their industry) and the region’s 2018 Barometer report, which compares the economic performance and characteristics of the Omaha – Council Bluffs – Fremont metro with nine other metros to reveal strengths and opportunities for growth.
One of the region’s most comprehensive, comparative analyses, the Barometer uses multiple indexes to evaluate Greater Omaha’s competitiveness against other high-performing metros. It is completed in collaboration with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
When viewed in conjunction with the Economic Outlook survey results, suggestions of prosperity in The Barometer appear to resonate with CEO’s perceptions:
- Entrepreneurs in Omaha earn twice as much as the US average
- High quality of life – with abundant arts and cultural opportunities (No. 2), quick commute times (No. 2) and accessible health care (No. 1)
- Innovation is consistently rising in Greater Omaha – with five-percent growth since 2014, trending to surpass Nashville’s rating
- Business costs are low, with Omaha ranking second only to Louisville, KY
Overall, Omaha-Council Bluffs-Fremont’s economic growth continues to be about 22 percent above the U.S. average. Other characteristics, such as high educational attainment, low business costs and abundant amenities, give Omaha a strong advantage in entrepreneurship, business climate and quality of life – characteristics regional CEOs recognize as supporting robust business growth.
About Greater Omaha
Greater Omaha is a No. 1 ranked up-and-coming-tech hotspot, the No. 1 Best City for College Grads to Start their Careers in 2018 and Time magazine’s 2017 No. 3 Most Up-and-Coming City in America. Recognized for its “We Don’t Coast” attitude, and named America’s No. 2 Best Small City, Greater Omaha is home to more than 30 communities and nearly 1 million people, with a youthful population (more than 40 percent are age 24 or younger), low cost of living and steady economic growth that outpaces the nation. Berkshire Hathaway, Mutual of Omaha, Peter Kiewit Sons’ Inc. and Union Pacific – all Fortune 500 companies – call Greater Omaha “home.”
About the Greater Omaha Chamber
Celebrating 125 years, the mission of the Greater Omaha Chamber is to champion a thriving business community and prosperous region through visionary leadership and collaboration.
MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Jill Bruckner
Communications/PR Manager
Greater Omaha Chamber
402-978-7920 (office)
jbruckner@omahachamber.org
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