2024 Annual Report
Download reportAs we look back on the milestones and progress we’ve made, we are excited to present the 2024 annual report of the Greater Omaha Chamber.
This year has been defined by significant advocacy successes and a strengthened focus on economic growth and community development. The Chamber’s efforts continue to support our members and drive prosperity throughout the region. As we move into the year ahead, our commitment to fostering a vibrant economy and enhancing Omaha’s position as a top destination for talent and business remains steadfast.
ECONOMIC & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Landed Projects in 2024
$341 Million+
Capital Investment
New Jobs
$42 Million
New annual payroll
Growing the Greater Omaha economy remains a top priority and core responsibility of the Greater Omaha Chamber. Over the past year, the Chamber has focused on creating primary job opportunities and supporting the retention of existing talent to fill these roles. By engaging with over 350 existing companies, the economic development team identified barriers to growth that shaped our public policy priorities and economic development strategy. This work also led to new growth projects now underway, along with extensive technical assistance and training provided to dozens of companies, resulting in new revenue opportunities, including sub-contracts.
Efforts to attract new market growth led to $341 million in new capital investment and the creation of 840 new primary jobs, adding $42 million in payroll to the region. Equally important was the Chamber’s focus on engaging, developing, and retaining talent in the Greater Omaha area through dynamic programs, where the Chamber connected talent with opportunities and provided tools to support professional development. Insights from recent YP and CODE surveys helped identify key areas to enhance talent attraction and retention, guiding future efforts.
PUBLIC POLICY ACHIEVEMENTS
Key Legislation Passed
LB 1023
LB 164
LB 34
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
We continued to hone in our strength in numbers – which are some of the best in the country. Looking ahead, the Greater Omaha Chamber is positioned to continue delivering innovative and valued programming while maintaining the agility needed to address emerging economic development opportunities and projects.
Membership Results
91%
Member retention rate
10,000+
Individuals engaged in events and programs
160+
Sponsor organizations
VISION FOR A GREATER OMAHA
The Greater Omaha region is known for its high quality of life, affordability, and vibrant community.
The 2024 Barometer Report highlights Omaha’s competitive advantages—low business costs, high labor force participation, and a rich cultural scene—while identifying critical challenges like wage growth contributing to brain drain. The 2025-2027 Greater Omaha Chamber economic development strategy focuses on improving Omaha’s economic competitiveness, addressing these challenges, and fostering growth.
A NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EQUATION
- Strategic Business Growth
- Brain Gain
- Destination: Omaha
Strengthen the regional economy by growing existing businesses and attracting new industries in order to increase primary job opportunities. Key initiatives include removing growth barriers, recruiting strategic businesses, supporting small and emerging businesses, unlocking federal funding, and advocating for pro-business policies.
Outcome: Increased job creation, wage growth, and investment.
Address talent shortages with proactive recruitment and retention strategies. Focus on attracting former residents and young professionals, expanding leadership programs, and collaborating with
businesses on workforce needs and skills development.
Outcome: Expanded housing and childcare, improved mobility, and stronger regional branding.
Enhance Omaha’s appeal as a place to live and work. Focus on housing and childcare solutions, rebranding Omaha, and advocating for policies that improve transportation and quality of life.
Outcome: Expanded housing and childcare, improved mobility, and stronger regional branding.
Conclusion:
and Economic Development Partnership aim to grow Greater Omaha into a more
thriving, innovative, and inclusive community by 2027, with higher
competitiveness, diverse talent, and strong regional appeal.
2025 Annual Meeting Presenting Sponsors
About Baxter
Baxter Auto Group is one of the nation’s leading automotive retail groups, serving the communities of Omaha/Lincoln, Nebraska; Kansas City, Kansas; and Colorado Springs, Colorado. The company has grown from one dealership in 1957 to 19 in 2022 and represents nine of the nation’s top automotive brands, including Ford, Lexus, Toyota, Audi, Volkswagen, Honda, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz, and Infiniti.
We attribute much of this growth and expansion to our exceptional employees, whose skills, professionalism, and dedication have been the cornerstone of our continued success. We continually invest in our employee experience, with industry-leading benefits for our team members, a flexible work-life balance, and an experience that prioritizes purpose, growth, well-being, and belonging.
We also believe in being active in and giving back to the communities we serve, donating more than 1.6 million dollars to more than 100 philanthropic organizations in 2021.
About FNBO
FNBO (First National Bank of Omaha), a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska, Inc. (FNNI), is one of the largest privately held banks in the US and has been in business for more than 165 years. FNNI and its affiliates have over $30 billion in assets and 5,000 employees. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming, providing personal and business banking, mortgage, payment solutions, wealth management and more. As the great big, small bank founded in 1857, FNBO has maintained its commitment to customers and helping build strong communities. Learn more at FNBO.com and connect on Facebook, X and Instagram. Member FDIC.
About McGrath North
McGrath North focuses first and always on Client Success. We have a talented team of over 70 experts who effectively and successfully collaborate with our clients, including small and mid-size businesses to Fortune 500 companies operating in a broad range of industries.
We judge ourselves based on the real-world value we provide to our clients, whether they are operating in the Midwest, across the country, or in business centers across the globe. We are fueled to achieve that success by a relentless concentration on Excellence.
To be our best, McGrath North is always transforming and investing in talent, technology, and leadership, with a genuine commitment for building diversity, equity and inclusion within our firm, our profession and our community. While we are proud of our first 60 years of service, we are always innovating and recreating ourselves for the challenges ahead for our clients.
Welcome to McGrath North.
About North End Teleservices
North End Teleservices, LLC is an omnichannel global provider of outsourced contact center services to government and commercial sectors. The company is committed to its mission of
creating jobs and changing lives. North End Teleservices is a certified woman-owned, minorityowned, HUBZone and Enterprise Zone business that serves as an extension of its clients’ brands and service delivery model, working with small and large B2B, B2C, and government agencies. At its core, North End Teleservices is a human capital service organization underscored by the
best technology in our industry. Since its inception, North End Teleservices has added over $306.2M to Nebraska’s economy. Its corporate culture embodies the qualities of empathy,
integrity, empowerment, expertise, diversity, and inclusivity, with a commitment to community development, reinvestment, and revitalization. North End Teleservices customizes contact center operations to meet every client’s specific needs. North End Teleservices sets a new standard in business process outsourcing.
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.