Omaha’s business landscape is known for its cooperative environment, local utilities play a pivotal role in ensuring the region’s sites are prepared for growth.
One of the key partners in this effort is the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD), which works closely with the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and other economic development organizations to support businesses exploring the region.
“OPPD has a long history in being a partner with the Omaha Chamber and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development,” said Brook Aken, Director of Economic Development & External Relations at OPPD. “We’ve really worked hand in hand over decades to move the needle.”
For businesses considering expansion or relocation, site selection often depends on more than just available land.
OPPD helps businesses and site selectors by providing into electric capacities.
“So much of what we do to market a readily available site for a new business or industry involves months of intentional planning and due diligence. It’s a process-oriented mindset around any site to understand and vet all utilities,” Aken explained.
OPPD is a public utility, which contributes to both affordability and reliability for businesses.
“If you look at rankings like top states in affordability and top states in reliability, Nebraska is top five in both categories,” Aken said. “We credit that to our public power model. Right now, we’re about 30% below the national average in totality of our rates.”
Reliable infrastructure makes Omaha an attractive location for a range of projects.
“We try to provide high-level, quick analysis to give business decision-makers information on timing and costs to inform their broader site selection decisions,” Aken said.
OPPD works with partners to ensure they have capacity. Assessment of power capacity for projects can even include transmission upgrades when needed for larger projects.
This careful planning and support is part of a broader culture of collaboration that sets Omaha apart.
“We spend a lot of proactive, intentional time with the more than 50 communities we serve, as well as the 13 counties, to better understand their needs and interests and how they want to grow, plan and develop,” Aken said.
One standout initiative is the Omaha Chamber’s GO Ready program, which proactively identifies and prepares sites for development.
OPPD has worked diligently to think about specific industries and their power generation needs, matching capacities and plans for the future.
Beyond site preparation, OPPD provides ongoing support to businesses after projects are underway.
“We aim to be a long-term partner,” Aken said. “Even after we land a project, we have ongoing account management and operational support for expansion projects, electrification needs and efficiency improvements.”
With strong partnerships between local governments, economic development organizations and utilities like OPPD, the Greater Omaha region continues to offer a competitive and ready environment for businesses looking to grow.