THE RESOURCES YOU NEED
EXISTING BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Helping You Access the Resources You Need
One Stop for Business Resources
The Existing Business Assistance program of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership helps businesses throughout the metropolitan area access the resources they need to grow and prosper. Our team will work with you on an on-going basis to identify resources, connect you with those resources, and work with you through implementation. We work closely with the state of Nebraska, local utilities and government agencies to ensure comprehensive assistance.
Services for Existing Businesses • • • •
Consultation on business incentive eligibility Information on available sites and buildings Talent attraction and training assistance programs Government agency and private sector service provider liaison • Export and import assistance to international businesses • Customized business information - Economic profiles and trends - Demographic profiles and data - Labor force data - Major employer listings - Quality of life information including educational, recreational and cultural amenities - Cost of living data and comparisons
Through the Existing Business Assistance program, you have access to 20 Partnership staff members with diverse economic development expertise — nearly 250 years of cumulative experience. This expertise provides access to: • Greater Omaha professional service providers including accountants, lawyers, bankers, and commercial brokers and developers • Local, state and federal government agencies - Nebraska Department of Economic Development - Nebraska Business Development Center - U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - City of Omaha and regional city and county governments • Utilities - Omaha Public Power District - Black Hills Energy - Metropolitan Utilities District - Numerous local communications providers • Specialized development-related organizations - Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) - Nebraska Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) • Nebraska Industrial Finance Authority (NIFA) • Workforce development and talent attraction initiatives - Nebraska Department of Labor - Heartland Workforce Solutions - Local colleges and universities - Greater Omaha Chamber talent attraction/ retention programs • Community Development - Redevelopment financial tools - Site and building redevelopment facilitation for business locations in east Omaha
Greater Omaha Chamber Membership Benefits
• Business connection opportunities • Educational training programs • Media and communications consulting
The Economic Development Partnership of the Chamber provided compelling reasons why, for our decision as to where we should construct our new manufacturing facility, it should be done here in Omaha. Now, a short two years later, we have expanded that facility by 50% and increased our employment from 150 to almost 300. We made the right decision! -Tom Schroeder, President and Chief Operating Officer, Intersystems, Inc.
Assistance Obtaining Business Incentives
Nebraska businesses are fortunate to have strong allies in state and local government. There is a wide variety of performance-based business incentives that can assist companies with their growth plans. These programs are designed for both existing and new companies that create and maintain jobs and make capital investments. • • • • • • • •
Nebraska Advantage business incentive program Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Nebraska Worker Training Program Nebraska Customized Job Training Program U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Talent & Innovation Initiative - Intern Nebraska Program - Business Innovation Act - Site and Building Development Fund - Angel Investment Tax Credit Nebraska Economic Gardening Program
These programs provide substantial benefits to many growing companies. Understanding the variety of requirements and benefits of all of these programs is, however, a full-time job. That’s where we come in. Your business will reap the benefits of our staff expertise.
The Partnership creates personal, one-on-one relationships with local businesses and regularly visits the out-of-state headquarters of firms that have facilities in Greater Omaha.
Areas of Expertise and Assistance Growing a company and keeping it profitable takes much more than money. Let the Partnership help you obtain the specialized information you need so that you can focus on what you know best — running and growing your business.
• Business development - Small business assistance - Retail - Minority-owned - Entrepreneurial and innovation - International - Military and defense contractors • Business planning • Certificate of Origin • Foreign Trade Zone No. 19 • Community development • Media and communications consultations • Public policy (local, state and federal) • Incentives and training programs • Workforce development/labor availability • Building permits and zoning • Research and demographics • Sites and buildings • Talent attraction and retention • Transportation • Funding sources • Utility costs and availability
Partnership Representatives Can Help Call and find out how Greater Omaha Chamber Paula Hazlewood, senior director - business retention & expansion 402-978-7918 phazlewood@selectgreateromaha.com
Gateway Development Corporation (Washington County) Sean Johnson, executive director 402-233-7140 seanjohnson@selectgreateromaha.com
Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation Toby Churchill, executive director 402-978-7924 tchurchill@selectgreateromaha.com
Cass County Nebraska Economic Development Council John Yochum, executive director 402-978-7909 jyochum@selectgreateromaha.com
Greater Fremont Development Council (Dodge County) Cecilia Harry, executive director 402-233-7141 charry@selectgreateromaha.com
Advance Southwest Iowa (Pottawattamie County) Mike Dellinger, executive director 402-346-5000 mdellinger@selectgreateromaha.com
SelectGreaterOmaha.com 402-346-5000 • 800-852-2622 1301 Harney St., Omaha, NE 68102
The Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership, a program of the Greater Omaha Chamber, embraces an innovative two-state, regional approach to economic development, increasing jobs and investment in eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa by providing a full range of economic development services. Working across state lines, the Partnership brings together the economic development organizations of the Chamber and the city of Omaha (Douglas County), Advance Southwest Iowa (city of Council Bluffs/Pottawattamie County), Cass County Nebraska Economic Development Council, Gateway Development Corporation (Washington County), Greater Fremont Development Council (Dodge County) and Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation. The combined organizations are co-located within the Greater Omaha Chamber. The Partnership’s professional team uses a consultative approach, working closely with companies to find the best resources to meet their needs. The team’s ongoing relationship assures companies benefit from all resources available in Greater Omaha. Results of these efforts include increased employment, income and capital investment throughout the region. The Partnership, with its partners the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the I-80 Council, also promotes business growth and expansion along Interstate 80 between Omaha and Lincoln. Oct. 2013. For the most current data, go to SelectGreaterOmaha.com