logo
Ideas flow at public meeting for new North Omaha innovation district fueled by $30M state grant

Ideas flow at public meeting for new North Omaha innovation district fueled by $30M state grant

Yahoo22-05-2025

Dozens of people offered thoughts during a Wednesday public meeting about what the new innovation district in North Omaha should look like. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)
OMAHA — Could North Omaha create its own version of Kansas City's Keystone Innovation District? Or Indianapolis' 16 Tech, or the RICE innovation hub in Atlanta, which focuses on building Black businesses?
The three campuses were spotlighted Wednesday as examples of entrepreneurial and tech-centric hubs akin to what could be built locally as the Omaha Inland Port Authority embarks on its newest mission: development of an innovation district, funded partly with $30 million in state funding.
Nearly 100 people turned out for the public meeting that kicked off a six-month visioning process for the new district, which is to be developed within the boundaries of the port authority's roughly 3,000 acres in North Omaha, near Eppley Airfield.
Davielle Phillips, an Omaha architect who is vice chair of the port authority board, said the initiative got off to a good start, with more participation than anticipated at the meeting held at the Venue at Highlander Accelerator.
The board is also overseeing development of an industrial-focused business park funded by a separate $90 million state grant. That initiative, in contrast, was beset early on by criticism that the development team did not seek enough public engagement and input.
For the innovation district, the port authority board hired HR&A Advisors Inc. as a consultant that, along with partners Lamp Rynearson and Vireo, are to create a business plan model for the local innovation district. The consulting contract is for $546,000.
During the public meeting Wednesday, the consultant team presented demographic and other data about the North Omaha area and offered examples of other innovation districts. It also highlighted the health-focused EDGE District rising on the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus.
Participants split into groups to discuss what they'd like such a district to look like and achieve. Several said they'd like housing to be a component, along with job training. Many said they'd want the campus to nurture and grow tech startups; draw young talent; raise the area's per capita income and have a multigenerational and multicultural flair.
One group said music should play a role, along with cultural events and block parties to build community.
Phillips said his goals for the meeting were met, including good attendance and engagement. He said he also wanted to clarify that the innovation district is separate from the long-discussed industrial business park, which was met with resistance from many area residents who worried the city might use the power of eminent domain to force acquisition. That option has been ruled out.
'I want to let people know we heard them; we listened,' Phillips said of the gathering.
Other port authority board members attended, including mayoral chief of staff Tom Warren, as did North Omaha City Councilwoman-elect LaVonya Goodwin.
Tuesday, focus groups were invited to offer input. Next steps, Phillips and the consultant said, include a public meeting this summer to continue to build upon the ideas.
Still to be determined is the exact location of the innovation district within the port authority boundaries, along with its size, shape and character, Phillips said. He said the port authority board likely would seek bids for a developer to build out the district campus.
Both the innovation district and the industrial business park are to be anchors of the port authority and are seen as key to helping more private businesses produce jobs and economic development that benefits North Omaha area residents.
Funds for both projects originally were approved by the Nebraska Legislature as part of the Nebraska Economic Recovery Act of 2022, seeded with federal pandemic-related dollars, though the legislation and funding sources have since been updated.
SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Scholarship celebration honors Black college-bound seniors
Scholarship celebration honors Black college-bound seniors

Yahoo

time9 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Scholarship celebration honors Black college-bound seniors

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Hundreds gathered at a Bloomington church on Saturday to celebrate Black excellence in the classroom. The ceremony was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church. It was sponsored by the Mentoring and Providing Scholarships Program, a local non-profit that mentors black students to learn etiquette, financial literacy and public speaking skills. More than $80,000 in scholarships were awarded to Black college-bound seniors for their academic achievements and community service. 'The annual Joint Scholarship Celebration plays an integral role in celebrating the successes of African American students,' Carla Campbell-Jackson, co-founder of MAPS, said. 'The MAPS Program is invaluable for students, and for our community, as we are developing 'real time' leaders and thought partners, who will continue to make a difference locally, and beyond.' Money for the scholarships was gathered with the help of African-American sororities, fraternities, and community-based organizations. MAPS looks to help students prepare for the professional world with important skills such as public speaking, said Shaun Harden, one of the students who received several scholarships. 'MAPS has been really great, especially for professional development. For instance, one of our previous sessions was about public speaking,' Harden said. 'We talked about how we were able to approach the stand and how we were able to address the audience properly, how to avoid filler words, a lot of different proper speaking things that you don't really get to learn other than through experience.' Local philanthropists also contributed to the scholarship fund, which helped raise more money for African American students looking to pursue higher education. Keynote speakers for the event included NAACP Image Award Winner and WMBD Summer Intern Bradley Ross Jackson and Teresa Haley, who shared some information and advice with the students. 'I learned that if you work hard, if you stay strong and determined, and continue to try to do your best and give back to the communities that have supported you, that you will eventually be rewarded in the end,' said Gabrielle Johnson, the president of the Bloomington-Normal NAACP Youth Council. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

'Why Should I Invest If I'm Just Gonna Die?' — Dave Ramsey Viewer Insists He's Giving Bad Advice But Cites Bogus Stats That Men Don't Live Past 72
'Why Should I Invest If I'm Just Gonna Die?' — Dave Ramsey Viewer Insists He's Giving Bad Advice But Cites Bogus Stats That Men Don't Live Past 72

Yahoo

time13 hours ago

  • Yahoo

'Why Should I Invest If I'm Just Gonna Die?' — Dave Ramsey Viewer Insists He's Giving Bad Advice But Cites Bogus Stats That Men Don't Live Past 72

Saving for retirement is a long game — and for decades, Dave Ramsey has told his audience that building wealth doesn't require massive income, just consistent effort. But when one caller threw that entire mindset into question, Ramsey didn't just correct the math — he unleashed a full-on lecture. In a video clip titled "Why Should I Invest If I'm Just Going To Die?" posted to his official YouTube channel, a listener named Isaiah challenged Ramsey's popular claim that $100 invested monthly could grow into millions over time. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . "You keep saying to invest $100 a month beginning at age 30 and you'll be worth $5 million at 70 years old," Isaiah said. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, because the life expectancy of a white male is 72 and for a Black male it's 68." Ramsey fired back: "We have never said $100 a month from 30 to 70 is $5 million. It's $1,176,000. All of your numbers are wrong." He cited data from the National Vital Statistics System showing that as of 2023, the average life expectancy for men in the U.S. was nearly 76. But more importantly, he pointed out that once someone reaches age 65, the average life span stretches another 18 years. "That's into your 80s," he said. "So no, you don't just die before you enjoy your money." But it wasn't just the math that set Ramsey off — it was the mindset. "At the core of your belligerency," Ramsey said, "is the idea that somehow you're supposed to get rich in 10 minutes, or that you're entitled to something." Trending: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. He pushed back hard on Isaiah's claim that his background or race had anything to do with financial limits. "Color of skin hasn't got anything to do with your ability to build wealth," Ramsey said. "You're not a victim of anything but your bad thinking." Then came the now-infamous rant: "Roll up your sleeves, live on less than you make, get out of debt, deny yourself a little bit of pleasure... and quit smoking so much pot. Seriously." Ramsey called the caller's view "hopelessness," and accused him of spreading discouragement to others who could be working toward financial independence. "You're a hope stealer," he said. "And that pisses me off. Because I spend my life giving people hope." By the end of the clip, Ramsey reminded listeners that 89% of America's millionaires are first-generation wealthy. "If you plant $100, you'll get this. If you plant $1,000, you'll get 10 times as much," he said. "Most of you waste $100 driving past Starbucks."Ramsey's closing argument? "This is the best economy in the history of mankind for the little man to get ahead. If you don't do it, that's not on life. That's on you." Not everyone may agree with Ramsey's delivery, or his assumptions about longevity, race, or motivation. And sure — life doesn't come with guarantees. You might not live to 88, and a $100 monthly investment won't magically turn you into a millionaire overnight. But the bigger question is: What's the alternative? If you don't save out of fear you'll never make it to retirement, what happens if you do? Ramsey's point may be harsh, but it's hard to argue with the logic: hoping you'll be dead before you need your money isn't a financial plan. And if you're wrong — that could cost you a lot more than $100 a month. Read Next: Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? . Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 'Why Should I Invest If I'm Just Gonna Die?' — Dave Ramsey Viewer Insists He's Giving Bad Advice But Cites Bogus Stats That Men Don't Live Past 72 originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

This Week: Are Tariff Price Hikes Finally Here?
This Week: Are Tariff Price Hikes Finally Here?

Business of Fashion

time20 hours ago

  • Business of Fashion

This Week: Are Tariff Price Hikes Finally Here?

What's Happening: On Wednesday, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics will release inflation data for May, the first inflation reading taken entirely after Trump's tariffs went into effect. In April, consumer prices rose 2.3 percent, just under the economists' consensus. Delayed Impact: Forecasters are calling for a mild uptick in prices, if that. Many fashion and beauty brands have announced price increases, often to be implemented on select products over the summer rather than right away. This gives consumers a bit of time to acclimate to their new, more expensive reality. And it builds in room to change course on the off chance Trump calls the whole trade war off in the meantime. Rock and a Hard Place: This strategic approach to price increases is savvy, but for many brands also borne out of a lack of options. After raising prices so much in the post-pandemic years, companies are worried they'll lose customers by hiking further, even if they have a good reason. Questioning Reality: Whether consumers believe prices are rising can have a big impact on inflation, so all those early warnings from brands may become a self-fulfilling prophecy even if Trump doesn't announce a single new tariff. There are also growing questions about the numbers themselves. Last week, economists raised questions in the financial press about whether inflation data could still be trusted, noting hiring freezes and layoffs had curtailed the government's ability to conduct its massive monthly survey of consumer prices. What to Expect at The Business of Beauty Global Forum 2025 What's Happening: On June 9 and 10, The Business of Beauty holds its third annual gathering in Napa Valley. A second class of entrepreneurs will also receive The Business of Beauty Global Awards. In the News: Speakers include Hailey Rhode Bieber, fresh off her $1 billion deal. Tracee Ellis Ross will share her observations on the needs of the Black and texturised hair community at a time when DEI is under siege. Global Perspective: Founders from international brands including Beauty of Joseon, Ultra Violette, Byoma and Nykaa will address challenges and opportunities in the global beauty market. Attorney Lindsay Toczylowski will speak on her efforts to help her client, Andry José Hernández Romero, the Venezuelan makeup artist currently detained in an El Salvador prison. See for Yourself: If you won't be in Napa Valley, catch these speakers and more on the livestream. The Week Ahead wants to hear from you! Send tips, suggestions, complaints and compliments to

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store