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Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ideas flow at public meeting for new North Omaha innovation district fueled by $30M state grant
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. Small groups generated ideas and goals for the innovation district poised to rise in Omaha's Inland Port Authority boundaries. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) 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. Music, block parties, housing 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. A Wednesday meeting to gain input from community members helped kick off a six-month planning process. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) 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. Spot, size yet to be determined 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. A new innovation district is to be developed at a yet-undisclosed spot within the larger boundaries of the Omaha Inland Port Authority. The port authority boundaries are shown on this map. Planning for the innovation part of the district is in early stages. (Courtesy of City of Omaha) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Associated Press
14-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
North Omaha: Moving Forward – Transformation 2030 Sparks Momentum for Change
'This summit reinforced that when we align our efforts and remain strategic, we can secure the investments, policies, and opportunities needed to bring about real change.' — Willie Barney, CEO and founder, Empowerment Network OMAHA, NE, UNITED STATES, March 14, 2025 / / -- On Saturday, March 8, more than 100 business owners, residents, community leaders and policymakers gathered to outline a strategic vision for North Omaha's future during North Omaha: Moving Forward – Transformation 2030. Backed by the Empowerment Network, the summit addressed policy, economic development, education, housing, safety, and entrepreneurship, and served as a powerful catalyst for action. 'To truly transform North Omaha, we must continue moving forward with a united front,' said Willie Barney, CEO and founder, Empowerment Network. 'This summit reinforced that when we align our efforts and remain strategic, we can secure the investments, policies, and opportunities needed to bring about real change.' North Omaha: Moving Forward – Transformation 2030 featured key discussions on legislative and policy matters, with speakers emphasizing the need to prepare for the 2026 legislative session. Topics included juvenile justice reform, sentencing laws for minors, and securing funding for community initiatives. Attendees were urged to engage in interim hearings and advocate for policies that support North Omaha's growth. Presenters included State Senators Ashlei Spivey and Terrell McKinney and County Commissioner Chris Rodgers, as well as representatives from Davis Contracting, Creighton University, Hayes & Associates, Malcolm X Foundation, Omaha Northwest High School Principal Dr. Kimberly Jackson and the Empowerment Network's Skill Up/Power Up Omaha Program. The theme of economic empowerment reverberated across discussions throughout the morning. Leaders stressed the need for a comprehensive development plan, ensuring that North Omaha has access to critical funding and business resources. Omaha's Inland Port Authority and the Airport Business Park programs were highlighted as key projects that will drive job creation and economic growth. Designed to manage inland port districts, the Inland Port Authority can enhance economic activity, attract businesses and improve freight transportation efficiency. As a commercial and industrial development located near an airport, designed to attract logistics companies, manufacturers, and businesses that benefit from proximity to air transportation, the Airport Business Park program intends to attract new industries and jobs to the Omaha market. Entrepreneurship remains a central pillar of transformation. During the summit, attendees learned about financial literacy tools, access to capital and programs designed to support the growth of Black-owned businesses. According to data from the Brookings Institute, between 2017 and 2022, the number of Black-owned businesses with employees increased by 95 percent in Omaha, representing a significant rise in Black entrepreneurship during that period. This data reinforces the potential for sustained economic expansion. With the goal of increasing North Omaha's graduation rate from 70 to 90 percent in the next five years, education leaders discussed strategies including mentorship programs, career pathways and financial literacy training for students. Through programs like Cradle to Career, a community initiative spearheaded by Empowerment Network and aimed at guiding Omaha youth from early childhood to successful career placement, students are provided with resources and a pathway to achieve academic success. Efforts to increase affordable housing, homeownership opportunities and revitalization projects were a focal point, alongside discussions on community safety. North Omaha is experiencing increasing growth with private developers that grew up in the neighborhood. A united approach to violence prevention and justice reform was emphasized, with speakers calling for greater community involvement in advocacy efforts and accountability. The next meeting in April will bring the community together to finalize the plans. 'We've had more than 500 leaders, residents and stakeholders engage in the Transformation 2030 meetings this year,' said Barney. 'Thousands have provided input over the past year through summits and conferences. The community has helped to establish goals, review and add solutions, discuss policies and produce initial priorities. Next month we will move to budgets and finalizing the strategic plan and immediate actions.' The Empowerment Network plans to formally launch the Transformation 2030 plan at its annual Rebuilding the Village Conference on Friday, May 16. The annual summit is supported by community partners and initiatives, including Charles Drew Health Center, Inc., Family Housing Advisory Services, Inc., Great Plains Black History Museum, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha 360, Omaha Economic Development Corporation, Step-Up Omaha and Urban League of Nebraska. As an organization dedicated to building safe and thriving communities through economic, educational and social success, Empowerment Network is also supported in part by the My Brother's Keeper Alliance, a program of The Obama Foundation. Initiatives like The State of North Omaha annual summit promote supportive communities for boys and young men of color, ensuring they feel valued and have clear pathways to opportunity. About the Empowerment Network The Empowerment Network is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing economic, social and civic progress within Omaha's African American community, North Omaha and the region. Through collaborative efforts and innovative initiatives, the Empowerment Network strives to create opportunities for empowerment and transformation in every zip code and neighborhood in the City of Omaha and other national communities. Vicki Quaites-Ferris The Empowerment Network +1 402-502-5153 Facebook X LinkedIn YouTube Legal Disclaimer:
