Travel, Leisure Industries Post Largest Employment Gains
Omaha, Neb, April 23, 2021 – The Greater Omaha Chamber today announced Monthly Economic Indicators (MEI) for February 2021, noting commercial construction continues to show significant increases over February 2020, spiking at nearly “two-times more construction than last year,” according to chamber analysts.
February 2021 indicators show commercial construction permits valued at $231.3 million, up from $128.9 million in February 2020.
February 2021’s private hourly wages were also up over February 2020 – a boost that raised comparative wages in the Metro from $29.07 per hour, to $29.55 an hour.
Wage increases continued as industry employment gains were noted in several sectors, with the largest uptick in employment realized in the Leisure and Hospitality industry (42.7 percent), followed by Education and Health Services, with a 7.6 percent gain.
“Much of our robust economic performance can be attributed to the resiliency of our region’s small businesses, as well as consumer response to the pandemic. Many in Greater Omaha intentionally ‘shopped local’ throughout the pandemic, and continue to do so as we turn a corner on the challenges of these past many months,” said Anne Branigan, senior vice president, innovative services, Greater Omaha Chamber.
Recent national rankings echoed Branigan’s remarks, with Omaha being named the 2021 No. 5 city with the “best work-life balance.”
About the Greater Omaha Chamber Economic Development Partnership
The Greater Omaha Chamber Economic Development Partnership (https://www.omahachamber.org/economic-development/) represents a seven-county area from two states (Nebraska and Iowa) that includes Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Otoe, Pottawattamie, Sarpy and Washington Counties.
About Greater Omaha
Greater Omaha is a No. 1 ranked up-and-coming-tech hotspot, a “top 10 best place to live on a $60,000 salary” and was named America’s No. 2 Best Small City by Resonance Consultancy. Greater Omaha is home to more than 30 communities and nearly 1 million people.
About the Greater Omaha Chamber
The mission of the Greater Omaha Chamber is to champion a thriving business community and a prosperous region through visionary leadership and collaboration.