Midlands Business Journal May 15, 2020 Vol. 46 No. 20 issue

Midlands Business Journal • MAY 15, 2020 •

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Education & Career Development A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

May 15, 2020

Learning opportunities and career development are critical for local ecosystem

by Gabby Christensen

Local organizations say education and career development is an ongoing process.

Julie Sigmon, director of Omaha STEM Ecosystem, said the most significant trend in the industry right now is that business and education are collaborating to ensure Omaha remains a vibrant community of innovation.

“At the fundamental core, STEM is exploration and critical thinking for solving solutions,” Sigmon said. “Today, every company is saying they need this in their Jurek workforce.”

Sigmon said educators have been working hard to create authentic learning experiences by encouraging students to be more thoughtful and work toward solutions.

“It’s important to make sure younger students are [receiving] project based learning,” she said. “For older students, we really want to ensure their experiences are connected to local businesses through offering them internship opportunities.”

Economic stability depends on students learning 21st century skills that will help them succeed once they enter the workforce.

“Eductors, students and industries are working in sync to make this happen,” she said. “This is an ongoing journey in which people must be active and engaged.”

Over the past few years, Joan Jurek, director of college planning for EducationQuest’s Omaha office, said there’s been an increased emphasis on career exploration.

“By determining interests and strengths by the end of eighth grade, students can pursue high school coursework that will further hone their career aspirations,” she said. “This, in turn, will prepare them to choose postsecondary education options that best fit their desired field of study.

EducationQuest supports early career and college planning by providing programs, services and publications at no cost for students in all Nebraska middle and high schools.”

Jurek said Nebraska has several occupations considered “high wage, high demand and high skill,” or H3, and businesses are looking for employees to fill them.

Currently, these include trades such as carpenter, electrician and plumber as well as professional positions like registered nurse, schoolteacher and software developer.

Itzel Lopez, vice president of operations and corporate communications at AIM Institute, said AIM has recently transitioned all

Reaanddit

upcoming IT Leadership Academies, Youth in Tech programs and Code School classes to online platforms.

Regarding new opportunities for professional development, Lopez said AIM launched Callers2Coders, which places call center team

Lopez Henricks members into a multi-staged tech training pathway that transforms them into IT professionals.

“This breakthrough program empowers employers to cultivate their IT workforce from within and it has also moved to online training,” she said.

Growing and strengthening the workforce in Omaha ensures a stronger future for the community as a whole.

“At AIM, we want to help create a thriving community where everyone can pursue a rewarding tech career,” she said.

As technology advances, Susan Henricks, president and CEO at ICAN, said webinars, Zoom sessions and other types of virtual learning are gaining user adaptability and are quite effective.

“We at ICAN have always focused on the experiential learning types of experiences until now, as we look to bolster and pivot,” she said.

“We will never stop creating and conducting our long standing, highly valuable in-person experiential leadership development programs, but we are looking forward to augmenting these programs with various forms of virtual learning, when the need fits.”

Henricks said organizations, now more than ever, want a combination of in-person and virtual leadership development offerings.

ICAN partners with organizations to customize and craft programs to run internally, tailored to meet their organizational leadership needs.

“We are currently exploring how we can further customize these offerings with the option to present these programs as a hybrid, or even supplement the in-person experiential learning with virtual touch points to meet both individual and organizational needs and preferences as workplaces look to the future,” she said. “Organizations should seek opportunities to develop their leaders around skills that will support and serve them in uncertain times.”

Julie Sigmon, director of Omaha STEM Ecosystem, at the Daugherty Education Center at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.

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Education & Career Development — inside MAY 15, 2020

THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS

$2.00

VOL. 46 NO. 20

PowerTech expands generator-based business into residential sector

THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:

by Richard D. Brown

Juno spreads wings with global network of artists, new approach to greeting cards.

– Page 2

40 er d Un 40

Jamie Blanchard Schneider maximizes social media marketing for nonprofit.

– Page 3

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Midlands organizations work tirelessly to evolve with new services, revenue streams. – Page 4

When longtime friends Cody Forristal and Josh Kallsen purchased Council Bluffs-based PowerTech four years ago, it had eight employees. The commercial and industrial service provider is expanding to a workforce of 90 with the decision to enter the residential electrical services business.

For Carson, Iowa natives Forristal and Kallsen, fast growth was inevitable when they bought PowerTech, then a 15-year-old firm located in Omaha. They moved it to four buildings on a 3.75-acre site at 2614 Railroad Hwy. Offices on both floors of a 7,000-square-foot former public school building represent a land acquisition and remodeling project of more than $1.3 million, but CEO Forristal said the extra space for management-level employees was crucial.

“We’re moving from a subcontractor to a self-performance-based model,” he said. “We’ve added six technicians to the single person we had four years ago.”

In the past four years the cusContinued on page 7.

From left, CEO Cody Forristal, Project Manager Joe Nowak and President Josh Kallsen … Amid hiring growth, firm expands services to residential clients.

(Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)

Mode Shift Omaha driving change for housing zoning, sidewalk accessibility

by Becky McCarville

As people are spending more time outdoors during a time of social distancing in an effort to flatten the coronavirus curve, the state of Omaha’s sidewalks and connected bikeways could become a growing call to action among the city’s residents. Wider sidewalks would not only help with physical distancing, but also provide greater accessibility

to people who use wheelchairs, allowing enough room to safely turn and to pass each other. Five feet is the minimum width for two people using wheelchairs to pass each other on a sidewalk.

“I don’t know what we’re going to look like on the other side,” said Kevin Flatowicz-Farmer, chair of Mode Shift Omaha. “I know that there could very well Continued on page 10.

Julie Kalkowski, executive director of Financial Hope Collaborative, at the Highlander Accelerator building at 30th Street and Bedford Avenue.

Reopening with abundance of caution: industries seeking a better ‘normal’

by Michelle Leach

Discussing transportation issues for individuals with disabilities at February’s coffee chat … Spotlighting the city’s transportation accessibility, connectivity and safety for action-driven solutions. (Photo courtesy of Mode Shift Omaha)

Editor’s note: This article is part of a series sharing firsthand experiences from local organizations on how their respective industries are adapting to COVID-19.

Hope and hesitation collide, as some states balance escalating COVID-19 cases with business re-openings.

“Hope” is in the name of Julie Kalkowski’s organization; the Financial Hope Collabo-

rative at Creighton University offers year-long coaching and curriculum through the Financial Success Program for low- to moderate-income (LMI) families in the metro.

“From a health-wise perspective, LMI have been hit the hardest; they’re deemed essential workers, and they don’t have the luxury of working from home as an hourly wage worker,” said Kalkowski, executive Continued on page 10.

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• MAY 15, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Juno spreads wings with global network of artists, new approach to greeting cards

by Michelle Leach

What started with Ross Harding’s fruitless 60-minute search for the right greeting card, resulted in Harding and his brother, Jesse, launching a new approach to purchasing cards that calls among its partners artists and independent stationary brands from as far away as the United Kingdom, as the fledgling Juno looks to lift the buying experience and product quality.

“We want to elevate greeting cards to a level where it feels as if you’re gifting someone a piece of art,” said Jesse Harding.

Exasperated, Ross Harding sought his brother’s graphic design expertise to see how they might improve the business of finding greeting cards: Jesse Harding’s stylistic insights combined with Ross Harding’s insight (as an engineer) into the mechanics of the buying process.

“Before building the website we ran a private beta of the service with some friends and family,” Ross Harding said. “Basically, we set up an intro web form. So, people could enter a few occasions and their payment info. We then manually tracked the occasions, came up with card suggestions, and sent emails. If people wanted a card they would just respond

Owners Jesse Harding, left, and Ross Harding … Greeting card startup benefits from consumers’ thirst for meaningful, non-digital connections. and tell us which card. We got really positive As first-time founders, the brothers feedback on this model. So, we felt we might sought guidance and accountability from be onto something.” the Greater Omaha Chamber’s The Startup

Business Minute

Paid Content

Katie Kuhl

Manager of Learning & Development, Medical Solutions, LLC, a national leader in healthcare staffing Associations/Titles: Association of Talent & Development Nebraska / 2020 President. Hometown: Omaha. Education: Bachelors of Multi-Disciplinary Studies, Minor in Sociology from University of Nebraska at Omaha.

How I got into the business: In college I worked as a TA for my physiology class and loved being able to break down complex concepts for a course I loved to help others appreciate the human body, and how it worked, as much as I did. Ten years later, I found myself teaching and building learning experiences all over again.

Accomplishments or milestones: Being selected as the 2020 ATD Nebraska president to serve over 250 learning and development professionals in our community; winning the 2019 ATD Nebraska Excellence in Learning Leadership Award.

First job: Working in a medical research lab at UNMC. Biggest career break: COVID-19 has accelerated my vision for a blended learning experience at Medical Solutions. In our

move to a remote work environment, we’ve adapted our entire onboarding experience from classroom and “on the job” training experiences to incorporate eLearning, simulations, and virtual workshop offerings.

We’ve been able to show that virtual learning works and produces success.

The toughest part of the job: The health care industry changes every day.

Remaining agile with learning content and learning experiences can be challenging, but also provides us with new opportunities to analyze how trainings can be built and delivered.

The best advice I have received: Don’t be afraid to think big and be bold. The fear of taking a chance can paralyze amazing outcomes. If you want to create something great, you’re going to have to learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

About my family: My husband Josh, our twin 3-year-old boys Henry and Hunter, and miniature dachshunds Hutch and Jax. Something else I’d like to accomplish: While I’ve spoken at a few national conferences to date, my next goal is to become a TED Talk speaker.

How my business will change in the next decade: Health care staffing is a high growth industry and Medical Solutions continues to evolve as a company. As an L&D professional, it’s my responsibility to grow, adapt and continue to provide our workforce with effective learning opportunities.

Mentor who has helped the most in my career: My former leader, Gene Brown, challenged me to think outside of the box, be proactive, and look at what the future needs of our organization would be from an L&D standpoint. He coached me through building influence with leadership.

Outside interests: Being outside — boating, surfing, walking, volleyball — and photography.

Favorite vacation spot: Santorini, Greece.

Other careers I would like to try: Organizational Change Management.

Favorite cause or charity: The Special Olympics of Nebraska. You can’t help but leave with a full heart.

Favorite app: I absolutely love the MasterClass app. It’s fun to experiment, try new hobbies, and learn what excites you.

Interested in being featured in the Business Minute? Email news@mbj.com for more information.

Collaborative.

“They offered a clear path forward to test the problem: Verify our proposed solution and turn that solution into a viable business,” Ross Harding said. “We continue to look to not only the TSC team for guidance, but also the other participants for strategy, friendship and camaraderie.”

Strategically, the startup’s brand is a nod to the Roman goddess of love.

“We really liked the idea of using a person’s name,” Jesse Harding said. “A brand that revolves around relationships and celebrating your loved ones seems like it should feel like interacting with a person. So, we’ve tried to make the brand friendly and a little playful, but also sincere and thoughtful.”

At the time of this writing, Juno’s illustrators, letterers and designers hailed from throughout the Omaha metro, Michigan, New York, Florida, California, Washington and England. Buyers input birthdays, holidays and other card-worthy occasions, which triggers reminders in advance of each date. Once a card from its curated collection is selected, it’s delivered (with a stamp as needed) in plenty of time for the buyer to personalize and send it.

“We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback and have a solid target market that seems to really appreciate the service,” Ross Harding said. “We love hearing from customers about the responses and reactions they’ve gotten from their friends and family after they’ve sent them a card. Everyone loves receiving something, but I think the act of giving is an even more powerful experience.”

In response to requests for humorous cards, the brothers plan to add products that hit on all the different types of humor, as a nuanced category.

“Producing our own line of cards is capital-intensive and requires a longer lead Continued on page 11.

Midlands Business Journal Established in 1975

Founded by Robert Hoig

ADMINISTRATION VP OF OPERATIONS, Andrea “Andee” Hoig

EDITORIAL EDITOR & VICE PRESIDENT OF NEWS, Tiffany Brazda EDITORIAL ASSISTANT, Savannah Behrends STAFF WRITER, Becky McCarville

ADVERTISING ADVERTISING CONSULTANT, Julie Whitehead OFFICE OFFICE ASSISTANT, Rosemary Gregurich BOOKKEEPING/LEGAL NOTICES, Beth Grube

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Midlands Business Journal • MAY 15, 2020 •

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Jamie Blanchard Schneider maximizes social media marketing for nonprofit

by Dwain Hebda

Lots of marketing professionals can talk of the benefits of social media in their strategies, but few can claim to have helped save a life, as Jamie Blanchard Schneider can.

“Our main purpose on social media is to get people information that will save their life or the life of a loved one,” said Blanchard Schneider, regional vice president of communications and marketing for the American Heart Association. “We do a lot of activation that informs them of the signs of a heart attack and if you feel it or someone you know feels it these are the steps you need to do. A lot of people see our social media as a source they can trust, and they remember things like that.

“We had a case in Kansas City where someone attended our Go Red for Women luncheon a few years ago and she ended up having a heart attack. Through the things [shared] at our luncheon and in our social media she was able to take action to save her own life because of something she learned from us.”

The story is all the more impactful when you consider nearly all of the American Heart Association’s social media didn’t exist prior to Blanchard Schneider’s arrival in 2015 as its Nebraska communications director.

“It was kind of a bare-bones social media plan,” she said. “When I came aboard, every little town in America, every event, everything had a separate Facebook page, Twitter account.

It was like hundreds. That’s not the most effective way to meet people. One of the things I did in the beginning was streamline into one big presence for all of Nebraska, so people could see the life-saving work the American Heart Association does across the state.

“We also introduced, shortly after I came aboard, our Instagram presence, which was a brand-new thing that a lot of people were scared to use at the time, but a great way to display the images that people want to see of our mission.”

Blanchard Schneider’s vision and strategy were so effective, they resulted in social media engagement today that’s increased nearly 1,000%. She was promoted twice in her first three years, to regional digital strategist in October 2016 and regional vice president in November 2017. Each step on the organizational ladder has provided her the ability to influence and mentor others, something she embraces.

“Mentorship is often thought of as I go mentor someone who is in college, but one of the most impactful things has been men-

2019

Proud Sponsors of the 2019 40 Under 40:

Jamie Schneider, regional vice president of communications and marketing …

Streamlining the organization’s social media outreach across the state, resulting in a 1,000% increase in engagement. toring up,” she said. “A lot of people in our Blanchard Schneider has been equally department come from more of a traditional passionate about community service work. She communications background, whereas I come has been involved in Omaha Jaycees, Junior from strictly digital. My whole career has been League of Omaha, Bellevue Offutt Rising Proinvested in digital. fessionals and Offutt Enlisted Spouses Club. In “It’s been really great to work with people the latter group, she chaired the annual Winter who are established and teach them how to Wonderland holiday event, raising $9,000 in enhance the skillset they already have. They 2017 and nearly $20,000 in 2018. Her efforts might already be great communicators, but you resulted in a nomination as 2019’s Military can take this piece of work, this interview, this Spouse of the Year. sort of thing and really amplify it towards thouA native of Tucson, Arizona, she graduated sands or hundreds of thousands at the same from the University of Arizona in 2008 with a time. I think that aspect has been really neat.” degree in journalism.

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• MAY 15, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

May 15, 2020

Midlands organizations work tirelessly to evolve with new services, revenue streams

by Michelle Leach

A celebration of local entrepreneurs since 1963, National Small Business Week may have been postponed, but Midlands businesses haven’t paused, remaining abreast of daily changes and shifting accordingly.

Amigos and Kings Classic founders Roger and Janice Moore and their team acted quickly to offer new take-and-bake family meals for busy families balancing remote work and homeschool responsibilities.

“These have been challenging times for every business, particularly the restaurant business,” said Janice Moore, who is also VP of marketing. “Amigos is fortunate to have drive-throughs and they were already a large part of our everyday business. We were in the beginning stage of developing relationships with the main delivery partners, and delivery has certainly grown since COVID-19 changed our world.”

Many orders are larger, for entire families; for example, the basic taco kit, enchilada dinner and Mexican lasagna.

“Dinner business seems to have gained some momentum,” she said. “Before COVID-19, I’d say lunch was busier.”

With more time at home, Moore said daily routines have shifted.

“Roger and I have felt so encouraged by support from our friends and long-term customers,” she said. “People in Nebraska have

Andy Brabec, director of marketing and ecommerce at Borsheims. (Photo courtesy of Borsheims) definitely thought about trying to support local taking place, efforts to replicate the shareholdbusinesses, and I think it’s been an important ers meeting that typically draws 12,000 people factor in where they choose to eat and to spend to its store in a single day, according to Director of Marketing and Ecommerce Andy Brabec. their dollars.”

“We had 65 vendors and brands slated to At the time of this writing, Borsheims’ twoweek Berkshire discount online event was still come this year, and that would have been the

most we’ve ever had,” he said, a nod partially to its 150th anniversary in 2020. “And when they come, they bring an entire trunk … it’s a really great partnership with vendors, and a one-of-a-kind showing of jewelry.”

Since the store closed in early March, Brabec said the pivot to work-from-home has been “eye-opening” — beforehand, they didn’t have a specific WFH policy.

“We know that special moments are still happening — there are anniversaries, engagements, Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day, and we’re still here for that,” he said. “Right now, it’s through Borsheims.com … and we also have the ability to show product virtually.”

Representatives are also available via phone during hours listed on its website. Brabec described the virtual showroom as a “curated wish list,” while its new signature service provides complimentary curbside pickup for orders or repairs, of particular interest to customers with existing health conditions and risk factors.

“We may be sending videos to customers or doing additional photography, everything we can to provide that classic Borsheims service but to do it in a different or an expanded way,” he said.

While services and celebrations persist, in virtual formats, Brabec looks forward to seeing their customers in person.

“Berkshire is a big impact on the community,” he said. “It’s a big miss. We’ll never take Berkshire for granted again.”

After three weeks of reduced hours, Arby’s stores in Omaha and Nebraska through franchise partner group, Panda Inc., returned to “normal hours because business called for it,” said owner Andy D’Agosto.

Lobbies remained (safely) open for carry-out service to maintain the customer experience and signing up for third-party delivery has helped “tremendously.”

Additionally, D’Agosto said they’ve adapted with more testing; with more positive results, they’re taking steps to ensure sufficient employees should a store have a sudden increase in employees needing to quarantine.

“Those first few weeks were something I’ve never experienced,” D’Agosto said. “The rate of change and information flow was offthe-charts.”

Its parent company kept them informed of ever-changing rules, in part, through weekly webinars.

On the other side of the crisis, everyone will be more aware of safety and sanitary habits, and guests will expect more.

“They will tell us how good we are with Continued on next page.

Locally Grown •

Midlands Business Journal • MAY 15, 2020 •

Business owners stress importance of buying, supporting local

by Gabby Christensen

Local entrepreneurs say supporting other area businesses is a critical part of their operation.

In fact, Amanda Colanino, owner of DogGurt, a business offering healthy and organic frozen treats for dogs, said she tries to partner with other local companies as often as possible.

“I’m currently working on a product with Morgan’s Munchies, another local dog treat maker,” she said. “I’ve also partnered with Woof & Whiskers in the past to make specialty products.”

It’s vital to keep the local economy going, especially amid the pandemic.

“It’s important to work together as a

Midlands organizations Continued from preceding page. their pocketbooks,” D’Agosto said.

Additionally, third-party delivery will continue to play a large role in generating revenue.

“I wasn’t ready to start when I had the chance a few months ago,” he said. “Once COVID-19 hit, I couldn’t sign up fast enough … When you are forced to operate your business 95 to 100% through the drive-through you begin to question the investment you’ve made on the size of building and look of the dining room.”

Third-party delivery, he said, has become “second nature” to many people, and its drivethrough experience is more efficient. Further, D’Agosto anticipates continued remote interviews and vendor meetings, and a heightened awareness of employee safety.

community, instead of seeing others as com- granola to enhance some of her delicious petition,” Colanino said. “This is huge to me gluten-free donuts.” and I try to implement it whenever I can in my The Gourmet Granola’s products can be business to keep our local econfound locally in Hy-Vee stores. omy healthy and thriving. Plus, Wigodsky hopes to create that one sale could be keeping the additional partnerships in the near lights on at that local business.” future.

Nicole Wigodsky, co-owner “We love utilizing locally of The Gourmet Granola, said the sourced products because we’re business attempts to source ingreable to build stronger relationships dients locally whenever possible. with vendors when we can visit “We partner with local busiwith them face to face,” she said. nesses to feature each other's “We love buying locally made products as ingredients for exproducts for the same reasons and citing new product creations,” because it helps keep money in our Colanino she said. “For example, we use community which leads to a strong local honey from Triple Bee Honey, we use tax base and a great source for local jobs.” an espresso blend from Reboot Roasting to Gaylene White Steinbach, owner of Lumake our Mocha Granola, Ted & Wally's uses lubee Artisanal Chocolates, said she works our granola for some of their fun and unique hard to support the producers that make up flavors and Holly's Healthy Holes uses our the community by utilizing locally gathered

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honey, buying coffee beans from local roasters, buying locally grown herbs and spices and fruits and working with different local wineries and beer makers, collaborating with them to use their products for ingredients.

“I feel very passionate about supporting other local businesses,” Steinbach said.

“These people are my neighbors and my friends. These businesses create jobs, support our communities and enrich our lives with their individuality. To me, this has never been more important than right now. In my business and in my personal life, when faced with supporting a local business versus a big box company, I gladly support my local bookseller, my local restaurant, my local printer, my local artisan. I am continually in awe of the support that the community has shown for our local businesses and for the collaborative mindset that businesses are coming together to support each other. I am so proud to be among the small businesses in Nebraska.”

Producers explore new distribution channels in response to social distancing guidelines

by David Kubicek

Local farm and livestock producers, who have seen their restaurant revenue drop during the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, are exploring new channels for distributing their products.

Organic certified tomatoes are the primary crop of Stream Meadow Farms, located south of Papillion about a mile north of the Platte River, according to Farm Manager Drew Olson, who is also a veterinarian.

“Along with [the tomatoes], we use companion crops — crops grown right next to the tomatoes,” he said. “This year it will be

basil and lettuce, which make the tomatoes happier — they grow better with reduced bugs, parasites and fungus.”

With COVID-19 disrupting the industry, the farm has introduced home delivery and an online store so it can sell directly to customers, especially in the Omaha metro area. Restaurants, depending on what this summer looks like, will most likely place fewer orders.

“We’re limiting the number of people allowed on our farm and putting in additional handwashing stations,” Olson said.

“Since we’re a family farm, it hasn’t been a

big adjustment for us. We’re pretty efficient at picking [the crops], so we don’t have to bring in a bunch of people. Online ordering is our biggest adaptation — the fewer hands delivering it, the better.”

Lone Tree Foods, a wholesale distribution company that also has a retail component, helps farmers in Nebraska and western Iowa find alternative markets for their value-added specialty produce and livestock, according to General Manager Justin G. Jones.

“A large part of our business is with Continued on next page.

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• MAY 15, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

• Locally Grown

Collaboration helps local companies weather pandemic

by Dwain Hebda

Many local companies are collaborating to create novel retail offerings which, owners say, are helping them better weather the COVID-19 crisis.

“In the last 10 years there’s been a lot more focus on small business, especially in our part of town,” said Jacob Wichert, co-owner of Amateur Coffee. “We have a pretty strong local business community here in town.”

He said that extends to companies using each other as suppliers.

“We work with Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop that’s literally on our block and exclusively get our pastries from them,” he said.

“We also work with the clients we roast coffee for. We provide services for their businesses like having special branded packaging.”

Isaiah Sheese, owner of Archetype Coffee, said his store has shared facilities and equip-

ment to allow firms to produce their products.

“We opened our kitchen to a couple of startups in order for them to keep moving towards their brick and mortar goals,” he said. “Kristina Lee of Nice Rollz and Kane Adkisson of Kano have been using our kitchen to keep pumping out treats to their customer base.”

Sheese said the gesture is just one small part of the cooperative local business ecosystem.

“The Omaha bar and restaurant community has been great,” he said. “From the get-go everyone rallied to support each other, including starting a Facebook page for owners to share ideas and information.”

John Fahrer, owner and brewer at Scriptown Brewing Company, said the Blackstone Business Association has proven particularly helpful. Members share concerns and best

practices and it even laid the groundwork for a relief fund for workers.

"We were worried about our employees; for many, this is their primary source of income,” he said.

“Several of us met to discuss the establishment of a relief fund for these service industry workers. Calls were made, arms were twisted, funds were raised.”

Over two weeks, Wichert the fund distributed nearly $147,000 to employees from the Blackstone Cares initiative.

“It did what it was intended to do — provide a stop-gap for our employees,” Fahrer said. “It's amazing to be part of the Blackstone Business Association; it's a tight-knit business community.”

Beth Brown, owner of Whisk and Measure Bakery, collaborated with Spirit World and Reboot Roasting to provide Mother's Day gift baskets that benefit all three businesses.

She said there’s a strong segment of the market that looks specifically for local companies.

“We have one regular who we see every day. The day before we had to close down

temporarily, she left us a $500 tip,” Brown said. “We had people where we had to cancel their orders and they said, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ Those same people, as soon as they saw we were doing a popup promotion, were already getting their orders in. We have a great, great group of clients.”

For Nick Huff, co-owner of Made in Omaha, such stories are music to the ears as well as the foundation of his business.

“We have done several promotions with different gift box Huff sets tailored towards friends, colleagues or family,” he said. “Most boxes include five to seven local maker goods and can be sent for birthdays, holidays or just because.”

Huff said despite the challenges of COVID-19, the spirit of collaboration among independent retailers is helping those businesses weather the storm together, Made in Omaha included.

“We are very thankful for the support we have received from Omaha,” Huff said. “We have a lot of pride in what we do, and it keeps us energized knowing that 91 cents of every dollar spent at Made in Omaha goes back to Omaha makers and small businesses.”

Producers explore new distribution channels Continued from preceding page. integrated, and you have so many more restaurant customers,” he said. “Most participants in the system, if some of them have either closed or drastically reduced are affected, others will take up the slack,” their operations. Many of our farmers and he said. “That system isn’t as efficient producers rely on that business to support under ideal conditions, but it tends to be their farms, so we’ve had to more resilient during disruptive pivot to selling more to individor chaotic times like we’re seeuals directly. [Another] effect ing now.”

I’ve seen is people looking for The Omaha Farmers Market ways to source their food more (OFM) will follow the Douglas locally now, I think because the County Health Department’s [COVID-19] crisis has highnew health and safety policies lighted some of the weaknesses that will be enforced during in the international food supply this year’s season due to the chain, so we’ve seen more indiCOVID-19 crisis, said Market viduals ordering from us even Manager Kristen Beck. as our restaurant business has The markets will open the Beck declined.” first weekend in June and will The international distribution system follow social distancing regulations, which works well for what it was designed to will include spacing vendors out by 10 feet do — providing high volumes of food as and controlling the size of crowds within cheaply as possible to as many people as the market area. possible. But in gaining efficiency, the “The Omaha Farmers Market is only system loses some resiliency. allowing locally grown produce and “If you have a system that’s more di- pre-packaged food to be sold,” Beck said. verse and dispersed and not so vertically “The first hour of each market will be designated for seniors, people with underlying health conditions, and expectant mothers.”

OFM’s website, www.omahafarmersmarket.com, has a complete list of health and safety policies. Opening weekend is slated for the first weekend of June and will continue to operate on Saturdays and Sundays, from June 6 through mid-October.

Visit the website to view minor changes to locations to accommodate social distancing. The market will only feature produce, herbs, vegetable starter plants, meat, dairy and eggs, bread, and a variety of pre-packaged artisanal foods. The website lists more ways to support seasonal vendors that weren’t eligible to participate this year.

Midlands Business Journal • MAY 15, 2020 •

7

PowerTech expands generator-based business into residential sector

Continued from page 1. tomer base has grown from 12 to just over 300, a figure prominent in Forristal’s target of revenues hitting the $16 million to $17 million range this year.

An important new position was filled recently with the hiring of Joe Nowak, a 20-year industry veteran, as project manager of residential electrical services.

For President Kallsen, fast but sustainable growth has been part of the firm’s strategic plan.

“From day one we’ve had the diversification goal,” he said, noting that cross-selling will be emphasized.

The owners said they’re aiming for a more equal division between three main revenue sources: facility maintenance, electricity, and the sale and servicing of generators of all types.

Preventive maintenance agreements have been a key in increasing facility maintenance revenues, but now more attention is being paid to the electricity and generation sectors.

The maintenance contracts are tailored to the needs of the client: typically from one to four years in length.

The Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan

area is being targeted with the new residential electrical service initiative, although the firm’s other categories of services are offered to clients such as health care institutions, industrial plants, senior living facilities and telecoms on a 24/7 basis.

Satellite employees throughout all of Iowa, Nebraska, and parts of Kansas and South Dakota service clients in less populated areas.

The ownership duo is banking on increased cross-selling due to the diversification into residential electrical work. For example, Kallsen said the pandemic and strong use of off-site work is opening opportunities as additional homeowners seek backup generators for their properties.

They said opportunities could abound for home electrical service repairs and expanding tele-communication needs.

The investment in the purchase of a generator for home use could start at a few thousand dollars up to $20,000. An average cost could be $5,000.

“Customers are looking for turn-key installation and on-going maintenance in addition to other things,” Kallsen said.

Forristal said service technicians are held cently, Kallsen said there has been little attrition. to a high standard in customer service account- Of two technicians who resigned last year, one ability, and high-priority situations are handled has come back. typically within a two-hour window, with puncForristal and Kallsen are 50/50 partners in tuality emphasized to all customers.

PowerTech.

“We’re on our way to our goal of being the Forristal is a 2001 economics graduate of largest union residential electrical contractor in Iowa State. He started his career with Cargill.

Nebraska,” he added.

Kallsen worked in PowerTech has PowerTech farming for a short time arrangements in the Phone: 712-256-8702 before starting electriCouncil Bluffs, Omaha Address: 2614 Railroad Hwy, Council cal apprentice studies and Lincoln markets Bluffs 51503 at age 20. with four of the largest Services: commercial, industrial and The duo, who were builders of homes, town residential services provider one year apart in public homes, multi-family Founded: Roy Gravett in 2001; purschool, both had entreunits to cross-market chased by current owners in 2016 preneurial interests. its services to buyers. Employees: 90 “We used to have Middle to upper-mid- One-year goal: Launch new residential an ongoing dialogue dle priced construc- services division. about all the opportution offers Forristal Industry outlook: Residential opportuni- nities out there and then and Kallsen significant ties abound via new construction, homeone day we decided that growth opportunities. we were like-minded based offices and lifestyle changes.

“It’s a little early Website: www.powertechteam.com enough that we should but we are in the bego ahead and pursue ginning stages of exploring opportunities in them together,” Kallsen remembers. renewable energy including solar,” Kallsen said.

They started with a tree and stump removal While PowerTech has paid down its debt business, later expanding that into construction in the land acquisition and headquarters re- services. By taking only minimal money out of modeling, taking on the large number of new the company, they had capital to invest heavily technicians is a hefty investment. Higher levels in tools, equipment and hiring talented people. of in-service training by manufacturers such as Forristall and Kallsen were among a group Wisconsin-based Kohler will be important as of five investors in a natural gas industry service more sophisticated technology is developed. business which they exited in 2016 in order to Kallsen said more than 95% of revenues are purchase PowerTech. generated from repeat customers.

Last year PowerTech formed a Power to “We service all brands and what we’re Give committee charged that identified a comupholding here is a culture of accountability,” munity need for charitable support: helping he added. local schools fund and run programs to address While employee numbers have doubled re- mental health.

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• MAY 15, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

UPCOMING

SECTIONS

IN THE MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

MAY 22

CELEBRATE CONSTRUCTION

LINCOLN EMPLOYMENT & STAFFING MAY 29

FOCUS ON SAFETY

SARPY COUNTY GROWTH REPORT

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REGIONAL LANDSCAPES

COVID-19 Business Updates…

Google is working with local organizations to help provide additional resources for communities across Nebraska. Google is providing local government health organizations with a substantial Google Ad Grant that will help them use search to provide critical guidance on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and explain the measures they are taking to help their citizens. This program is at no cost to the state. Google has donated $25,000 to the Midlands Community Foundation.

The local owner of Potbelly Sandwich Shop in Omaha has launched the “Adopt a Doctor” program, allowing customers to pay for box lunches that will be donated to medical workers around the Omaha area.

Each boxed lunch includes a freshly toasted sandwich, cookie and a bag of chips. Notably, Potbelly of Omaha partnered with CHI Immanuel Hospital, delivering nearly 50 lunches.

Omaha Children’s Museum continues to monitor current health and safety guidelines and has announced that the closure of the museum will extend beyond its original goal date to re-open, which had been May 1.

No re-opening date will be announced until the staff can be certain it is safe for families to return. The on-going closure of the museum has impacted the museum’s finances, with an anticipated loss of $685,000 if the museum stays closed through May 31. The museum will lose more than $1 million if it stays closed through June 30.

All Lincoln Electric System customers currently struggling to pay their electric bill during this pandemic should contact LES at 402-475-4211 as soon as possible. Aside from working with their public power utility to develop a flexible plan, there is financial assistance available with recently expanded qualifications due to COVID-19.

With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to affect pets and pet parents worldwide, Oxbow Animal Health announced its “Full Bowls, Full Hearts” campaign to provide direct support in the form of essential nutrition and supplies. Part of Oxbow’s KINDSWELL initiative, the “Full Bowls, Full Hearts” campaign will supply 100 Pet Support Packs consisting of pellets, hay, treats, and enrichment items to pets and pet parents in need. In total, the pet packs will supply approximately 5,000 meals for pets in need.

The Omaha Storm Chasers is joining MiLB CommUNITY First, a new national initiative developed by Minor League Baseball in conjunction with Feeding America, to raise funds for local food banks. Storm Chasers fans are encouraged to visit MiLB. com/CommUNITYFirst through May 31 to donate. Once on the site, fans can choose their donation amount and the Omaha Storm Chasers as the recipient of their donation to direct funds to the Omaha community. For every $10 donated, the Storm Chasers will donate one ticket to a future home game this season or in 2021 to a local hero of the pandemic.

Paul Davis of Central Nebraska is showing its appreciation to local firefighters, law enforcement and emergency first responders with complimentary cleaning services during the pandemic. Paul Davis trained technicians will clean and apply U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved disinfectants throughout area emergency personnel vehicles such as fire trucks, police

cars, ambulances, and other first responder vehicles covering all common touch points and surfaces.

Briefs…

CardFlight, a SaaS payment technology company, has partnered with Payroc, a merchant acquirer and payment processing organization, to support small businesses nationwide in weathering the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The companies have collaborated to provide merchants from highly impacted industries with access to SwipeSimple, CardFlight’s signature payment acceptance solution, for no additional charge through July 31, 2020. The addition of SwipeSimple enables these restaurants and specialty food businesses to collect payment at the curbside as they rapidly pivot their businesses in order to continue serving customers.

USL League One club Union donated its 2020 Inaugural Season jersey partnership to CHI Health and Nebraska Medicine to build awareness, raise funds and assemble support for “bending the curve.” In addition, Alliance Sports Chairman and Union Omaha CEO Gary Green has donated 45,000 masks to local hospitals, including CHI Health and Nebraska Medicine. In total, Union Omaha and its investment group are donating nearly $250,000 in funds and assets to help build awareness and to support those on the frontline of fighting COVID-19.

LTi Technology Solutions, a provider in equipment finance software solutions, announced a partnership with Class 8 Funding with the implementation of the ASPIRE platform into their business. Class 8 Funding will be able to further provide top-notch financial services to small to medium sized fleets with the ASPIRE platform.

The Business Ethics Alliance announced that Beverly Kracher, Ph.D., founder, CEO, and executive director of Omaha’s Business Ethics Alliance is stepping aside May 31. The transition has been in the planning process for more than a year. Kracher will consult as senior ethicist for the Alliance. On June 1, Patrick Leahy will step up from director of resources and development to be the Alliance’s interim executive director. Leahy served on the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Board from 2012 to 2018 and as a vice president of the Steier Group, an Omaha-based development consulting firm.

Riekes Equipment and Pallet Shuttle Automation have entered a partnership to provide automated warehouse solutions to the manufacturing, food and beverage, cold storage and warehousing industries throughout the Midwest Region of the United States. Through this partnership companies can take advantage of the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the Pallet Shuttle “Omni-Directional” automated storage and retrieval system. Leveraging the computer-controlled retrieval system allows companies to automatically place and retrieve loads from storage locations with precision, accuracy and speed.

LTi Technology Solutions, a provider in equipment finance software solutions, announced a partnership with Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance to implement the ASPIRE platform to support their business.

Crossroads is improving commercial truck finance by leveraging technology to create a frictionless customer experience. By utilizing ASPIRE in the LTiCloud, Crossroads will Continued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • MAY 15, 2020 •

9

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES Continued from preceding page. benefit from a solution that can scale with the expected growth of their business.

Congressman Don Bacon joined members of the House of Representatives to introduce the National Transit Workforce Training Act of 2020. This bill establishes a National Transit Frontline Training Center to invest in and train the next generation of transportation workers. Prior to the coronavirus, public transportation has faced challenges with training and workforce retention. With a median age of 52 for key frontline transit jobs, it is estimated that more than 120% of today’s transit workforce would need to be hired and/ or re-trained in the next 10 years.

Roger, LLC, a new technology platform within the dry bulk truck freight industry, has launched. The innovative platform allows carriers to focus on moving loads through reduced paperwork, accelerated payment processes and real-time views of loads in progress. The Roger app can be downloaded at the Apple App Store or Google Play.

The Greater Omaha Chamber announced the 2020 Business Excellence Award winners. The winners of Business Excellence Awards are: ACCESSbank, Bland & Associates, P.C., Do Space, Farm Credit Services of America, FNBO, Hillcrest Health Services, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., Monica Sempek Photography, LLC, North End Teleservices, Omaha Public Power District, OneWorld Community Health Centers, Inc., Project Harmony Child Advocacy Center, Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha, Inc., Verdis Group, and WoodmenLife. The 2019 Small Business of the Year is Bozell.

The Offutt AFB Award Program announced that Goodwill Industries, Inc. has been selected for the 2020 Best of Offutt AFB Award in the Thrift Shops category.

Each year, the Offutt AFB Award Program identifies companies it believes have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community.

Education notes…

Bellevue University launched a new 100% online applied Bachelor of Science in Data Science degree program that addresses the needs of employers who are dealing with ever-increasing amounts of data and students who are seeking careers as data scientists. The program also provides a pathway to Bellevue University’s data science graduate degree program. A key part of the Bellevue University program’s applied focus is that each student will graduate with a Data Science Portfolio.

Omaha’s technology library, Do Space, has rolled out a host of free digital services, online webinars and virtual tech help for small businesses to utilize during this time. Do Space continues to create free online content on its website which includes new webinars and YouTube videos. With the resources Do Space provides, local small business owners can learn new, or enhance current, skillsets and engage with like-minded individuals.

These resources include how to code, podcast, animate, draw digitally, jump into SEO, create interactive augmented reality content, and more.

The Nebraska State Colleges Board of Trustees selected Dr. Beth Wentworth as the 2020 Teaching Excellence Award recip-

ient for the Nebraska State College System.

Wentworth earned her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, mathematics education from the University of Minnesota, master’s degree from Northern State University, and her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Minot State University.

Meghan and Alex Michelic, co-founders of Wonder Bunch Media, announced the launch of their first children’s learning app, Letter Meadow. They also released a short animated film called “Happy at Home” about life at home from a child’s perspective during social distancing and concerns about COVID-19. Letter Meadow teaches children to recognize and trace letters and put them together to make sight words. It’s available on the App Store and will be available later this year on Google Play. The Michelics intend to release eight more apps in 2020 including Number Island, Art Camp, Pollination Station and Peaceful Forest.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha will receive approximately $11.5 million from the Federal CARES Act, of which $5.3 million in federal funds will be made available directly for students impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and its economic fallout. More than $4.8 million of the total amount allotted to UNO will be used to cover student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations, including food, housing, course materials, technology, childcare and health care. More than $500,000 will be made available to cover similar costs, but for students with more extreme financial emergencies.

Dr. Larry Gossen, a leader and educator in the field of agricultural education, has been selected as the next dean of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. Gossen will succeed Ron Rosati, who retired in August of 2019 after six years at the college. Gossen brings both classroom and administrative experience to the position. After graduating from Kansas State University, Gossen taught for 24 years at Elk Valley and Neodesha high schools in Southeast Kansas. In 2001, he accepted a position with the Kansas Department of Education as the state supervisor for agricultural education and State FFA Advisor.

The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska– Lincoln has announced the reappointment of Mark Balschweid as head of the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication for a five-year term. The action comes following a planned five-year review.

Balschweid has served as ALEC Department Head at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln since 2008. He is also a professor in the department and, since July 1, 2019, has served as the interim executive director of the Rural Futures Institute.

Health care notes…

Catholic Social Services of southern Nebraska continues to serve the vulnerable of southern Nebraska. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, CSS announced that $200,000 will be released to help the poor and vulnerable in southern Nebraska, specifically to help those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic needing help with rent, utilities, food and cash assistance. Applicants near its four outreach offices may call at the below numbers to begin the application and screening process specifically for emergency cash assistance.

Hospitalized patients with advanced COVID-19 and lung involvement who

received remdesivir recovered faster than similar patients who received placebo, according to a preliminary data analysis from a randomized, controlled trial involving 1,063 patients, which began on Feb. 21. The trial, known as the Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial, is the first clinical trial launched in the United States to evaluate an experimental treatment for COVID-19. Preliminary results indicate that patients who received remdesivir had a 31% faster time to recovery than those who received placebo. Andre Kalil, M.D., a physician and researcher at UNMC and its hospital partner, Nebraska Medicine, has been leading the trial at UNMC. The 14 senior living communities comprising Heritage Communities launched Heritage United. As COVID-19 became a real risk to older adults, Heritage Communities was adhering to the guidelines.

Each strategy was enacted to limit potential exposure of the virus to residents. Heritage United logo t-shirts were provided to each associate. Residents and family also purchased t-shirts. Proceeds from the sales of these shirts benefit the Employee Care Fund, a 501c(3) charity to help associates through difficult financial times. The Heritage United shirt sale raised over $4,200. Additionally, the company tripled the Employee Care Fund resources from $10,000 to $30,000.

The Exercise Coach is now considered a “smart” fitness studio. On May 13, Omaha residents, Sommer Hahn and Ryan Hahn will open their first location at 18023 Oak Street, Suite B in Omaha. This is the first “Smart Fitness Studio” in Nebraska. The

Hahns plan to open three additional locations in the next five years. Outfitted with high-tech computerized machines instead of traditional equipment, The Exercise Coach offers personalized programs, resulting in only two 20-minute workouts per week.

Activities of nonprofits…

Epilepsy Foundation Nebraska is monitoring the evolving situation surrounding COVID-19 and has made the difficult decision to forego an in-person Walk to End Epilepsy and instead host a virtual walk on May 16. While the risk of exposure remains low for the general public, the Foundation is erring on the side of caution for those in its community who may be at higher risk. The health and well-being of the event participants, volunteers, staff, partners and the community remain the top priority.

CenterPointe and Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska were awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration to operate a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic at their outpatient clinics in Lincoln. This is a twoyear grant totaling $2 million per year per agency. The purpose of the CCBHC expansion grant program is to increase access to and improve the quality of community mental and substance use disorder treatment services through the expansion of services. The expanded services include crisis response, screening and assessment for mental health, substance use, and physical health issues for children, adolescents and adults.

MEETINGS AND SEMINARS Tuesday, May 19 The Heartland Women’s Network is hosting its May presentation online featuring Julia Hebenstreit, executive director of The Kim Foundation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about The Kim Foundation’s history and mission of being a supportive resource and compassionate voice for lives touched by mental illness and suicide. Hebenstreit will share mental health awareness and suicide prevention tools, warning signs, and statistics. Also, community resources available to families and individuals will be provided. Registration is online.

The Creighton University Heider College of Business, in partnership with the Greater Omaha Chamber Young Professionals, is hosting a new virtual education opportunity offered free of charge to business professionals of all industries. This session, from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m., will focus on “How to think like a risk manager.” Ed Horwitz, Ph.D., associate professor of practice in finance and Mutual of Omaha endowed chair in enterprise risk management, will discuss disruptive and emerging risks, how to spot them, and how to prepare for them before they become a problem. Registration is available online.

The Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance Omaha chapter is hosting a free CPE webinar from noon to 1 p.m. Kathleen Fox (IRS Communications & Liaison) will be hosting a Federal Tax Update Webinar for the Omaha, Kansas City, and Wichita AFWA Chapters. The webinar will focus on COVID-19 and how this impacts the tax filing season. This will be free for both

members and non-members, and will count for one CPE Credit. The call-in information will be sent out to registrants prior to the meeting. Registration is online.

Wednesday, May 20 The West Omaha Chamber and SOLVE are hosting a webinar on providing praise from 11:30 a.m. to noon. In this webinar participants will focus on strategies to provide appreciation and recognition to maintain engagement, energy, and commitment. Registration is available online.

Thursday, May 21 The American Marketing Association Omaha chapter is hosting is 2020 May Marketers Meet up from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Membership Vice Presidents Rachel Slowik and Laddan Abbasi will be hosting the virtual Happy Hour. Potential topics include: questions regarding membership; membership benefits; how to navigate the newly designed national AMA website; and getting involved and networking opportunities. Registration is available online.

The Creighton University Heider College of Business, in partnership with the Greater Omaha Chamber Young Professionals, announced a new virtual education opportunity. This session, from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m., will focus on “Meeting adversity with resilience.” This webinar examines the topic of resilience, methods for overcoming adversity, avoiding and addressing burnout, and the role of well-being in leadership and organizational performance. This session will be lead by Laurie Baedke, faculty member and Director of Healthcare Leadership Programs at Creighton University. Registration is online for the free event.

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• MAY 15, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Mode Shift Omaha driving change for housing zoning, sidewalk accessibility Continued from page 1. be a greater call for wider sidewalks, better connected bike infrastructure.

People are getting out, they’re walking around, they’re riding their bikes because you can’t spend 24 hours a day in your home.”

Mode Shift Omaha was founded in

Mode Shift Omaha Services: member-funded nonprofit advocating for greater density, walkability and transportation accessibility Address: 6011 Dodge St., CEC 219.2, Omaha 68182 Founded: 2011 Members: 120 paying members Website: www.modeshiftomaha.org

2011 to drive public engagement around the city’s update to the “Transportation Element” of its master plan — to advocate for active transportation by way of “more bike connectivity, better pedestrian infrastructure and more robust public transportation.”

Initially, we were just advocates,” he said. “Currently, we’ve been involved with direct action.”

Recognizing that there are many facets to transportation, the organization formed various member engagement teams to focus on top issues like walkability, transit and missing middle housing.

Most recently, Mode Shift Omaha’s Walkability Team spotlighted the problem of blocked city sidewalks around construction projects.

After researching how other cities of similar size, like Des Moines, and larger cities like Chicago or New York, handle sidewalk closures during construction, the Walkability Team created a video (that can be viewed on YouTube), an email campaign and a petition, then presented to the Public Works committee and Mayor Stothert’s Active Living Advisory Committee in January 2020. The sidewalk policy update is now being implemented so that pedestrians have safe passage along city sidewalks when construction is underway.

“The most inviting places to walk, they are on major transit routes, and to ride a bus is to take a walk,” he said. “You have to walk to the bus stop; you have to walk from the bus stop. So, when you have a situation where both sides of the street are blocked, you create a dangerous environment for anybody who’s walking or using the sidewalk because not everybody who uses the sidewalk is walking — some are rolling in chairs.”

There’s an economic value to creating walkable neighborhoods and cities — attracting and retaining talent.

“The business community is really starting to recognize that our future is written in how we build our transportation network,” he said. “In the not-too-distant future, we have a number of factors coming together that have to inform how we build the city.

“One of the things that we’re finding is that it’s difficult to attract people into an automobile environment and the reason is because so much of your land is dedicated to parking and what that produces.”

Flatowicz-Farmer cited some of Omaha’s neighborhoods like Benson, Dundee,

North 24th Street, Vinton Street, South Last November at Mode Shift Oma24th Street, and to some extent Aksarben ha’s monthly Coffee Chat, a woman who as “perfect for transit, walking and bicycle helps find housing for refugee families transportation.” highlighted the challenges of finding “You get outside those neighborhoods affordable housing in areas without peand it’s a car-only environment, which destrian infrastructure, or conversely, in isn’t particularly interesting, especially to areas where pedestrian infrastructure is young professionals,” he said. “They want available but there are no places to walk to live in a city that’s interesting.” to — particularly challenging and isolating Another campaign, called the Missing for refugees who have a language barrier Middle Housing Campaign, coincides and might not drive. with activity at the state level and seeks to These types of experiences highrevise zoning to accommodate “auxiliary light challenges that not everyone faces, dwelling units” to making it even more “The business community is important to give increase density in certain parts of the really starting to recognize that voice to those who city, like a small cotface these challenges tage in the backyard our future is written in how we every day. Over the or a “grandma suite” build our transportation net- last year, accessibilon top of the garage. ity has been a major “Some areas that work.” — Kevin Flatowicz-Farmer, focus of the organiare zoned for sin- chair of Mode Shift Omaha zation. gle family homes “A lot of it is edcould very well accommodate things like ucating ourselves because we came out duplexes, fourplexes, smaller dwellings of people who — the primary modes of that aren’t huge apartment buildings but transportation were walking and biking … aren’t single family homes,” he said. “That physically active transportation,” he said. allows you to densify; that allows you to “What we’ve really tried to look at of late increase the housing stock.” is, there are populations of people who Many of the newer houses being built can’t drive, and they might not be able to in the eastern part of Omaha are dedi- bike, and accessing public transportation cated to higher-end housing, he said. On might also be a challenge to them.” the flip side, some neighborhoods, like The Munroe-Meyer Institute, the NaMillard, for example, have affordable tional Federation of the Blind, Outlook homes but pedestrian infrastructure is Nebraska and local activists who are often lacking. wheelchair dependent have presented at

Mode Shift’s monthly meetings. “[They] talked about the challenges that they run into and oftentimes, what we’re realizing is that yeah, decisions get made by people who don’t deal with the obstacle,” he said. “They don’t think about it because it’s not a resource they use, not a perspective that they come from.”

Like most organizations and businesses, the pandemic has led to cancellations of Mode Shift Omaha’s outreach events including Earth Day and Maha Festival activities, organized bike rides and possibly Ride the Bus with Us. Its monthly member meetings and Coffee Chats are virtual for now.

“Basically, we’re just kind of trying to ride out this pandemic so that we can get on to fulfilling our mission,” he said. “As far as concrete outcomes, we’d like to see zoning in Omaha — at least in the eastern part of the city — to see zoning updated to accommodate a missing middle housing. Greater density, greater walkability, greater transit accessibility.

“We want to continue inviting people in, educating people. We’re 100% member funded, and we currently have 120 paid members — and countless unpaid members.”

Other entities are coalescing around the same goals, he said, including Omaha

by Design, Metro Smart City, the Mayor’s Active Living Advisory Committee, Omaha Complete Streets, Metro Area Planning Agency, Bike Walk Nebraska and more.

Reopening with abundance of caution: industries seeking a better ‘normal’ On January 15, Serenity Dental opened Continued from page 1. its new practice location; two months to the director.

Lower-income people have also been day, Dr. Matthew C. Neumann said they negatively affected by garnishments and were directed to stop all elective dental care. Since then, they have obtained Paycollections on stimulus funds.

“We have a really well-established check Protection Program funds to have partnership with single moms; it’s a money to cover payroll costs while awaitgame-changer for them,” she said. “Right ing insurance reimbursement (payments can be delayed 30 to 60 days). now, almost all of the people in The Nebraska Dental Assoour program have a side hustle.” ciation and the American Dental Kalkowski directs readers Association issued strict reopentoward FHC’s Facebook page, ing guidelines, as the directed which provides research-based health measure is lifted. suggestions. For one, don’t wait “We have obtained the necto file for unemployment. essary personal protective gear “It’s a long and difficult and implemented several poliprocess,” she said. cies, including enhanced screenFocus on “needs” (rent, ing, that will greatly reduce the utilities) versus “wants” first. chance our team or patients will Kalkowski encourages single Moss contract the COVID-19 virus mothers who may earn more while in our office,” Neumann with federal relief than in low-income jobs said in early May. to save what they can now.

As oral health is important to overall “COVID-19 has done what nothing else has done in my memory; it has put a health, it’s can’t be “turned on or off,” he glaring spotlight on the economic system said, yet some patients can put off routhat is built into our health care system,” tine dental care for a few months with no problem while skipping routine care could Kalkowski said.

She referred to far-reaching implica- cost others with gum disease their teeth. tions — the need for the likes of a living Further, stress, anxiety and depression can lead to decreased personal hygiene — inwage.

“It’s scandalous when the majority, cluding oral hygiene.

“The good news is most dental condiover 50% of Americans, were living paycheck-to-paycheck prior to the pandemic,” tions can be treated and, in many cases, Kalkowski said. “I don’t want to go back reversed,” he said.

Dental pain can’t wait. to that ‘normal.’ That ‘normal’ was too “By the time you have dental pain, the painful, it wasn’t good for most families.

We need to create policies that enhance problem has become urgent and needs to people’s well-being, and create a health be treated,” Neumann said. “This includes care system that is not driven by profit chronic dull pain or pain that prevents you from chewing on that side of your mouth.” margins.”

Dentistry “may never be the same again,” and Neumann anticipates infection control protocol changes, providing another layer of safety (with significantly increased costs to the practice).

“Personal protective gear is expensive and the COVID-19 pandemic has made it more expensive,” he said. “Dental practices will adapt to this like they always have. We must protect ourselves and our patients.”

Stephanie Moss Salon and Skincare provides a “touchless” experience; for instance, guests text their arrival and receive a text back when staff are ready for them, according to Master Artist and owner Stephanie Moss.

Strict standards are in place; for instance, sanitizers at all stations, and disinfection before and after each use.

Touchless checkout, product selection, and rebookings minimize guests congregating, and guests are placed 10 feet apart for services.

“We will be offering all services except for facials at this time,” Moss said in late April. “Our goal is to offer those services

by June 1 but, of course, will be ensuring safety on all levels and will evaluate that before we offer facials back for our customers.”

Team members are completing the Barbacide Sanitation course online, and deepening expertise with online-based hair classes. Additionally, Moss said guests are pre-screened with health questions 48 hours pre-appointment; staff and guests must wear masks (the salon has some onsite); and guests should only bring themselves to the appointment (no family or friends).

Midlands Business Journal • MAY 15, 2020 •

11

In french fry heartland, spring turns bitter as coronavirus cuts into global demand

by Hal Bernton

For farmer Mike Pink, spring is supposed to be a time of hope, when he can survey a green field of young potato plants and anticipate the bounty to be pulled from the sandy soils of the Columbia Basin.

Agriculture This year, this is a season when dreams die. Due to an epic potato glut that imploded his market, he has decided to do what was once unthinkable — destroy part of his crop rather than sink more dollars into cultivation.

That grim task unfolded last week as a diesel SUPER CROSSWORD

tractor began discing under 240 acres of Ranger Russets, plants that if left in the ground until summer would likely have yielded more than 14 million pounds of tubers.

“It is just devastating. I have been dragging my feet, hoping something happens, and someone says they can use these,” Pink said. “Once I destroy them, they’re gone. But I just don’t know what else to do.”

His plight is another ugly impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has dramatically changed where people consume food, and upended a powerhouse Washington industry APPELLATION TRUNCATION

producing frozen french fries for global markets.

Last year, state potato farmers grew some 10 billion pounds of these spuds — the vast majority of which were destined to be cooked up in fast food and other restaurants, primarily in Asia, but also in the United States and elsewhere in the world. During the past two months, fast food sales have dropped sharply, and the cancellation of professional basketball, baseball and all sorts of other events have vastly reduced the number of venues where french fries are served.

Even sports bars where customers would have munched on baskets of fries as they watched their favorite teams play are now shuttered.

The fallout already has prompted one major processor, McCain Foods, to temporarily suspend a $300 million expansion of a plant in Othello, Wash., that would have produced french fries from potatoes grown on 11,000 acres, according to Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington Potato Commission.

Without a major reversal of demand, 1 billion pounds of Washington potatoes — 10% of last year’s $845 million crop — could still be piled up in warehouses later this summer as the new crop starts to be harvested. The federal Agriculture Department in April announced a $19 billion coronavirus emergency program that includes provisions to buy farmers crops and make them available to those in need. But it is uncertain how much of a dent that federal spending will make in the huge potato surplus, and some could end up being discarded on a scale never seen before in the Pacific Northwest.

“They haven’t been dumped, but I fully expect there will be potatoes dumped. You can’t store a potato forever, said Dale Lathim, executive director of Potato Growers of Washington, an industry group.

The downturn facing Washington potato farmers is part of much broader upheaval in agriculture in the U.S. and Washington state, which in recent years past was worth more than $10 billion annually.

This year, the state dairy industry already has been slammed by lost sales to restaurants,

schools and other food services, and prices have dropped by more than 30% since March 1, which is far too low for many producers to be profitable, according to Don McMoran a Washington State University Extension official based in the Skagit Valley.

“There are going to be fewer dairy farmers here and around the nation until we get things sorted out,” said McMoran, who noted three of 29 dairy operators already have announced this spring that they would cease operations.

The state’s beef producers also are in trouble.

Cattle prices have tumbled and markets have become more difficult to find as processors, including Tyson Fresh Meats in Walla Walla County, have temporarily suspended or slowed operations as they battle severe outbreaks of COVID-19 among workers. With processors producing less meat, feedlots are jammed with animals that have yet to go to slaughter.

“It just backs up demand all the way through the system,” said Patti Brumbach, executive director of the Washington Beef Commission.

Fries for the world Idaho dominates the production of fresh market potatoes, a grocery store staple that continues to sell amid the pandemic as consumers grab them by the bag to bake, boil and fry back home.

Washington farmers in the Columbia Basin focus on producing for the frozen market. They sow specialized varieties that yield potatoes often shaped like a pop can, so there is less waste when rectangle fries are cut out of them. They also favor dense high-starch strains that when cooked create fluffy interior textures savored by fry aficionados.

Through the years, these farmers have honed their skills in irrigated desert soils — enriched by volcanic ash — that produce the nation’s best yields, some 30 tons per acre on average or more. And as international markets have expanded, they have developed just about every possible acre of potato ground, which Continued on next page.

Juno spreads wings with global network of artists, new approach to greeting cards

Answers on page 12.

Continued from page 2. time, so that’s why we’re currently offering cards from the small stationery brands,” Jesse Harding added. “It allows us to offer a larger selection, but keep quantities low so we can be nimbler with our inventory. The long-term goal is to get to a point where we’re only offering cards that we’re producing with our artists.”

The brothers seek authentic partnerships with creators.

“We try to give them the creative freedom to make cards they would love to receive,” Jesse Harding said. “Our main criteria for selecting artists is that they have a unique style — something you wouldn’t typically see on the shelf in the greeting card aisle.”

Likewise, the Hardings are open to partnerships with those offering interesting products or services that would benefit from a curated greeting card offering.

“We’re also still trying to figure out the best way to integrate gifting into the service,” Ross Harding said. “We’re looking forward to long-term true, collaborative partnerships with local and national brands.”

These unprecedented times may be a fortuitous time to launch businesses in the

stationery/greeting card space.

“People are reflecting on how important their loved ones are,” Jesse Harding said.

“Whether they’re across the country or just around the block, not being able to see them makes us appreciate what a significant role they play in our lives.”

And, Ross Harding added, people stuck at home are tired of digital communication.

“There’s something so personal and comforting about both giving and receiving a card,” he said. “People are looking for more meaningful ways to connect.”

On a personal level, Juno represented a meaningful way for the Hardings to reconnect after Jesse had moved to California and Ross to Virginia.

“With busy schedules our only real connection was via social media,” Jesse Harding said. “But despite seeing many posts from one another, we slowly lost touch. We both moved back to Omaha and decided to start a company that could help people truly connect in the real world.”

Ross Harding continued: “Greeting cards were a great place to do that. Greeting cards are such a nice, simple gesture, but nobody likes buying them. We decided to start there.”

12

• MAY 15, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

In french fry heartland, spring turns bitter as coronavirus cuts into global demand Continued from preceding page. typically must be farmed in a four or five-year rotation with other lower-value crops to reduce the risk of disease.

Pink is a first generation basin farmer who started farming 34 acres back in 1987, and now invests more than $6 million each year of borrowed money to grow 1,600 acres on largely leased land. And though this is now a very big business, he still loves the essence of farming, nurturing a crop from a seed or tuber all the way to a harvest that will help feed the world.

This year, early on, the markets were strong and the weather breaking for an early planting in late March. He grows his potatoes under contract, and both processors he typically sells to appeared confident they would offer him contacts for all his acreage, Pink said.

By early April, processors had revised their plans. As the pandemic’s grip tightened, they decided to reduce their contracted acreage by about 20 percent, according to Voigt of the Washington Potato Commission.

“Nothing like this had ever happened before. That’s what caught us off guard,” Voigt said.

Pink was hit a lot harder than most farmers.

He was unable to get contracts for about half of his 1600 acres. And fields planted in late March that were sprouting young plants had already soaked up $2,000 of the $4,000 per acre it would take to bring the crop to market.

He now risks a financial disaster that could cause his potato farming operation to fail.

“I just did what I normally do and that’s get out and plant my crop in the ground, and do it in a timely fashion. And that came back to haunt me,” Pink said.

For several weeks, he wrestled with what to do with the fields that had no contracts.

More than 550 of these acres are later varieties that don’t mature until September or October, when perhaps markets may be stronger and he could find buyers. They also are versatile and could perhaps be dehydrated or made into

chips. So he expects, in a roll of the dice, to grow them to maturity.

But the Ranger Russets will be coming out of the ground in late July, when the french fry market is still expected to be bleak, and they aren’t well suited for the fresh market or other types of processing, Pink said.

He decided they had to go. And on Friday morning, he headed out to a field north of Pasco to watch them disappear under the whirring blades of the discs.

Pink is convinced his business decision was the right move. Still, it felt wrong to him to watch the young plants — known as rosettes — meet their end.

After the disc made a pass, he searched through the sandy earth like a medic looking for survivors on a battlefield. He pulled out seed potatoes that had already begun to put out fat white stems, and examined the tiny young nodules of the new crop.

The field soon will be replanted in feed corn, then sprayed with herbicides to kill off potatoes

Someday we’ll return to the office. It’ll be nothing like we’ve seen before

by Roger Vincent

When you finally head back to the office, it won’t be like you remember it.

Physical distancing, from the garage to the elevator to the break room, promises to help make the pending mass return to the workplace both reassuring and maddening as people learn to work together again while remaining six feet apart.

Workplace Signs of separation will abound: decals on elevator floors showing you where to stand, arrows to route foot traffic in one direction, chairs removed from conference rooms and other popular gathering places.

Expect fabric couches and other upholstered furniture to be wrapped in plastic — just like at Grandma’s house — for easier disinfection.

Shared work tools such as conference phones and whiteboard pens may disappear. That remote control for the lunchroom television?

Don’t bother hunting for it.

Only a few states have eased shelter-in-place restrictions enough to allow widespread return to office buildings, but many landlords are planning for the comeback that they hope will be gradual. If everyone surged in as though it was a day before COVID-19, the planned systems to keep people safely apart might be overwhelmed.

Not that most workers are in a hurry to return to the offices that not long ago seemed as familiar as home, said Lenny Beaudoin of CBRE, who oversees back-to-work issues for the international real estate services company.

“We see right now that people are setting a pretty high bar around their own personal criteria for going back to work,” he said. Every aspect of office life will be scrutinized: getting there safely on public transportation, making it through the lobby, navigating once-mundane routines such as going to the restroom.

“How do I get a cup of coffee?” Beaudoin said, recalling pre-pandemic crowding around a communal pot. “Nobody is going back to work without coffee.”

People need to be prepared that the office will be a very different place for the foreseeable future.

“We all have habits for how we work in an office,” he said, “and those habits are going to have to change until there is a vaccine or permanent remedy.”

Adapting to new habits will be jarring, Beaudoin predicted, but workers will shift the

way they did after Sept. 11 when heightened security procedures that slowed entry went from annoying to normal. Dealing with inconveniences and delays brought on by coronavirus safety measures will also become a habit, he said.

Getting to that point, however, will be a formidable challenge for landlords like the owners of a downtown L.A. skyscraper that has stood in many times for fictional corporate headquarters in films and TV shows, including the 1980s legal drama “L.A. Law.” Before the pandemic, the 48-story tower at 444 S. Flower St. had the population of a small town, about 7,000 people. Only a handful show up nowadays and can easily stay far apart, but owner Coretrust Capital Partners is preparing for more to arrive as early as mid May. Their goal is to reduce the likelihood that occupants will contract the virus while signaling to nervous tenants that it’s OK to come back inside.

“It’s all about, how do you get your tenants to feel safe?” John Sischo, a managing principal at Coretrust.

Small measures may start with return-towork gift bags containing hand sanitizer, gloves and masks to be handed out as tenants arrive.

Lanes for foot traffic will be marked and doors to the lobby will be kept open so no one needs to worry about germy handles. Security guards will make sure people come and go from the garage in a single direction.

Elevators can be dispatched to assigned floors electronically, so no one has to touch a button. Only a few at a time will be allowed to use them.

Like other landlords, Coretrust is ambivalent about screening arrivals for fever by use of thermometers or more sophisticated thermal imaging devices. What if they barred someone on the way to an important meeting on a false-positive reading?

“We are very concerned about the ramifications of thermal checking,” said Tom Ricci, another managing principal of Coretrust. “It’s probably best left to tenants, but it’s something we are exploring.”

In less visible measures, the landlord will try to boost indoor air quality with high-efficiency filters and perhaps ultraviolet light disinfection of mechanical systems that pump air through the building.

In most commercial buildings, the landlord is also responsible for cleaning the offices rented by tenants. The significance of that nearly in-

visible service has jumped, Ricci said, because tenants want to know steps are being taken to thwart the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“For at least the next year, janitorial is going to play a large role in all of our properties,” he said.

Before the pandemic, janitorial services were viewed by many companies as overhead costs that should be kept to a minimum, said Laurie Sewell, president of Servicon Systems Inc., a Culver City cleaning service provider.

“People didn’t want to spent a lot of money on cleaning because if it looked clean it was Continued on page 23.

that resprout.

“It hurts. This has been the toughest thing I have ever had to do in farming,” Pink said.

More tough decisions ahead In the months ahead, other farmers also face painful decisions.

Reagan Grabner, the managing partner of CSS Farms, has invested in four enormous insulated storage units that he dubs the “Taj Mahal for potatoes.” Each stretches the size of a football field and can hold 7 million pounds of potatoes grown especially for the french fry markets.

Last year at this time, he already had emptied three of these units. This year, only one, and it’s been a month since he last sent a shipment to a processor.

Periodic testing of these potatoes in a kind of laboratory kitchen show they still make good fries. But their shelf life is limited as — over time — more of the starch converts to sugar.

The USDA aid program may buy up a portion of these potatoes. But Grabner still fears he will have a massive amount left over in late July as the new crop arrives.

Grabner says that he and other farmers will do everything possible to find ways to put these potatoes to good use.

But given the scale of the basin production, trying to divert all the surplus to food banks would be like trying to drink from a fire hose, he said.

A portion of his stored potatoes may end up buried in holes, and left to decay.

“These are things farmers don’t want to think about,” Grabner said. “That’s the last resort.” ©2020 The Seattle Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

Puzzle on page 11.

Midlands Business Journal • MAY 15, 2020 •

13

Unemployment hits modern record 14.7% in April. How long before 20.5 million lost jobs come back?

by Don Lee

The U.S. economy suffered its biggest labor market shock on record last month, as government figures released Friday showed the COVID-19 pandemic erased 20.5 million jobs and sent the nation’s unemployment rate to 14.7%, the highest since at least the 1940s.

As recently as February, the United States had enjoyed reEconomy cord economic expansion and the lowest unemployment in half a century, 3.5%.

Not only is that gone, but more bad news is almost certain in the weeks and months ahead.

President Donald Trump regularly trumpeted the pre-pandemic economy. On Friday, he talked about that as in the past.

“We had the greatest economy in the history of the world,” he said at a White House meeting with Republican lawmakers. Trump went on to say that “we’re going to have a phenomenal year next year. … I think it’s going to come back blazing, because there’s tremendous pentup demand.”

But most economists foresee deep damage and a very slow recovery, with high unemployment well into next year.

Although 18 million of the 23 million total unemployed in April said they were on a temporary layoff, many of those furloughs appear not to have a definite end date, and more could become permanent as the effect of the pandemic continues to spread.

J. Crew, the preppy clothing seller, and Neiman Marcus, the upscale department store chain, filed for bankruptcy this week.

And there have been many other smaller, less visible cases of companies pushed over the edge by COVID-19, including movie theaters, aviation services, auto supply manufacturers and restaurants. Payroll employment at eating and drinking places was down by 5.5 million in April, more than a quarter of all job losses last month.

Economists at Stanford and the University of Chicago, drawing on a survey of businesses and historical data, estimated that 42% of pandemic-induced layoffs will end up being permanent. With more

than 33 million people who have filed for unemployment benefits in the last seven weeks, that’s about 14 million who may have to find new work.

Since businesses began to shut down because of the pandemic in March, when the unemployment rate was 4.4%, largescale layoffs have affected every sector of the economy. Restaurants, retailers, health services, manufacturers and local governments all made big job cuts in April. And unemployment rates rose sharply higher especially for Latinos, blacks, teenagers, part-time workers and those without any college education.

That’s one reason why economists expect the recovery to be a slog. “Unfortunately, the people most at risk are the ones who had just gotten back to reasonable employment,” said Carl Tannenbaum, executive vice president at Northern Trust in Chicago. He noted that it took a decade of job gains and economic growth for disadvantaged workers to finally make meaningful gains.

April’s official unemployment rate was by far the highest since record-keeping began in 1948, and the amount of job losses last month is unparalleled, wiping out nearly all of the gains in the last decade. A broader government measure of joblessness that includes involuntary parttime workers reached 22.8% last month — close to the peak unemployment of 25% at the height of the Great Depression in the 1930s.

Grasping for reasons to be hopeful, analysts noted that some furloughed workers already are being recalled as more states have begun to relax lockdowns and lift stay-at-home orders that had been imposed to contain the coronavirus.

April employment statistics for states will be released in two weeks. California’s relatively early and aggressive response to the pandemic, coupled with its mix of industries that rely more on tourism, entertainment and international travel and trade, suggests that the state is likely to see proportionately bigger job losses than most of the rest of the nation, at least in the short term. Motion picture and sound recording businesses, for example, shed 216,500 jobs

last month in the United States.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration projected Thursday that California’s 2020 unemployment rate will be 18%, compared with a peak of 12.3% during the Great Recession.

The governor said that more than 4.3 million Californians have filed new claims for unemployment benefits since March 12. “These numbers are jaw-dropping.

It is alarming,” Newsom said. “We’ve never experienced anything like this in our lifetime.”

On the other hand, California’s “tech companies are leading in innovations and services that are going to help people telecommute and help people get the information they need to adapt to the pandemic,” said Stephen Levy, director of the Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy in Palo Alto.

Levy said the state’s strong tech sector, plus its record thus far of limiting the pandemic’s infection and death rates, should give California an advantage in recovering jobs lost, although he added: “But that’s two years from now.”

And it could take longer, depending on the virus and public policies. Many medical experts and government officials expect a second wave of infections as states begin to relax social distancing rules, though the new surge is not likely to show up in the data until late summer or early fall.

Even where businesses are reopening, many are operating only partially, with limits on capacity and relatively few workers on hand. Customer demand remains unknown and start-up expenses may be wasted if new outbreaks occur, forcing another round of shutdowns.

Similarly, many employees are wary of returning when their own safety is uncertain. Polls suggest it may be months before most people are comfortable going out to shop at a mall, boarding an airplane or visiting restaurants and hotels and other public venues.

And the longer consumers hold back on spending, which accounts for 70% of total U.S. economic activity, the greater the chance that many employers will have

blow from the pandemic. Even so, economic output may plunge by about 40% in the current quarter, Bullard warned, adding the government orders to keep businesses closed are unsustainable.

The decline will be “a staggering figure and way beyond anything experienced in the post-war era in the U.S.,” Bullard said to the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum. “We cannot hit the pause button for very long in major economies around the world, certainly not in the U.S. There’s a 90day limit or shelf life on this policy, maybe 120 days shelf life.”

While shutting down the economy was appropriate in the early days as the U.S. managed the crisis, there now needs to be a shift to mitigating risks just as the country manages risks from terrorism or auto accidents, Bullard said.

“You will get too many business failures and really do lasting damage” without businesses resuming, he said. With a more focused approach, the U.S. could get a solid rebound that would be mathematically a record starting

in the third quarter, he said.

Kashkari, in a virtual event, suggested any recovery will be slow with consumers and businesses continuing to be held back by health care concerns.

“We’re not going to fix our economy until we get our hands around the virus,” he said.

“We might just have this uneven crawling back up to more of a normal economy.”

All three presidents said negative interest rates are unlikely to be a tool the Fed would rely on anytime soon, with Bullard citing the experience of their use in Europe and Japan.

Asset purchases are a more likely tool, Bullard said.

Speaking on CNN International, Kaplan said that if the U.S. reaches the Fed’s expected peak unemployment rate of about 20% and if the figure is about 10% by year-end, “there may well need to be more fiscal stimulus in order to boost economic growth.” ©2020 Bloomberg News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Fed presidents warn business failures may create lasting damage

by Steve Matthews, Matthew Boesler and Catarina Saraiva

Federal Reserve officials warned the virus outbreak and a partial shutdown of the U.S. economy would result in a decline in the current quarter of historic proportions and risk the potential of massive bankruptcies that could create a lasting scar.

“You will get business failures on a grand scale and you will be taking risks that you would go into depression” Economy if shutdowns persist, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard said in a video speech from that city Tuesday. Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari warned of a “gradual, muted recovery” from the outbreak, while Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan said the economy will need more fiscal stimulus if the jobless rate continues to rise.

Fed officials in mid-March cut interest rates to near zero and have unveiled unprecedented lending programs to cushion the

cash-flow problems and decide they can’t go on.

“A lot of the recovery is going to depend upon businesses being there to reattach the displaced labor,” said Nicholas Eberstadt, a political economist at the American Enterprise Institute. “And if the regiments aren’t there, the soldiers aren’t going to be able to come back.”

Michael Bernick, former director of California’s Employment Development Department, said: “When you reopen the economy, you’ve got to do it with confidence and not with a lot of qualifications. … And until we have that, I think even a formal reopening of the economy is not going to bring back that many jobs.”

Friday’s grim jobs report was largely expected, but will nonetheless add to the rancorous debate in Washington on what additional policies, if any, are needed in the face of a cratering economy.

Trump revived his call for a payroll tax cut and also mentioned Friday a desire for a reduction in capital gains taxes. Larry Kudlow, Trump’s top economic adviser, lent support for some kind of liability insurance for businesses in light of the risks from the pandemic.

Worker advocacy groups are pushing for an extension beyond July of the $600-per-week federal add-on to unemployment benefits that Congress approved, although some economists said that has incentivized workers not to return to their jobs because many are receiving more than they did in their paychecks.

The extra money in workers’ pockets, however, will help boost demand for goods and services once the economy is back open, economists said.

Susan Houseman, research director at the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, said one existing pandemic relief measure that could help with employment and that has bipartisan support is so-called work-sharing or short-time unemployment.

Under such a program, an employer avoids layoffs by reducing work hours and paychecks equally for all workers, whose lost pay is temporarily being covered by federal unemployment aid.

“If you have people in place in their old jobs, the recovery will be faster,” Houseman said, adding that there’s little downside for employer or employee.

(Staff writer Patrick McGreevy contributed to this report.) ©2020 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

14

• MAY 15, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES MBJ legal notice instructions The following are some guidelines to consider when posting legal notices with the Midlands Business Journal: 1. Submit a written notice in either Microsoft Word or as a PDF document to Beth Grube at legals@mbj.com, fax to 402-758-9315 or mail: 1324 S. 119th St. Omaha, NE 68144.

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Payment options are cash or check.

3. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday for a notice to start publishing that Friday.

4. All costs include fees to file the notice with the Secretary of State and/or any appropriate courts.

5. You will receive a paid invoice copy and a courtesy proof of the notice the first week it runs and a copy of the affidavit filed with the courts the last week.

WESLEY E. HAUPTMAN, Attorney 17826 Monroe Street Omaha, Nebraska 68135 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MOTION REAL ESTATE, LLC NOTICE is hereby given that the undersigned has formed a Limited Liability Company under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: 1. The name of the company is MOTION REAL ESTATE, LLC 2. The address of the initial registered office 4412 So. 42 Street, Omaha NE 68107 and the initial registered agent at that address is Gatfan A. Alsalami.

3. The general nature of the business is buying and selling of real property, commercial or residential, and any other business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of Nebraska.

4. The company commenced existence on the 27th day of March, 2020 and it shall continue in operation until dissolved by its members.

5. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its members, WESLEY E. HAUPTMAN, Attorney For The LLC First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 LEGACY DESIGN STRATEGIES 9859 South 168th Avenue Omaha, NE 68136 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Limited Liability Company is OMAHA NATIVE, LLC 2. The address of the designated office of the company is 5403 Poppleton Avenue, Omaha, NE 68106.

3. The Registered Agent and office of the limited liability company is Juli Gray at 5403 Poppleton Avenue, Omaha, NE 68106.

4. The purpose for which the company is organized is to engage in any and all business which is lawful under the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Nebraska.

5. The company commenced its existence on February 19, 2020, and the period of duration of the Company shall be perpetual.

6. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members in accordance with the company’s operating agreement.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 DANA ROCHE, Attorney RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Millwork Parcel 8 Apartments, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The Designated Office Address of the Company is 5110 Mayberry Street, Suite 122, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The Registered Agent of the Company is Kendra J. Ringenberg, whose mailing address is Ringenberg & Rattner Law, LLC, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Bud and Toots, LLC Notice is hereby given that Bud and Toots, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 1434 W 11th Street, Fremont, NE 68025, and with its initial agent for service of process as Colin Kastrick, 9859 S 168th Street, Omaha, NE 68136.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 JACOB A. ACERS, Attorney SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WINTERHOLD INVESTMENTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on February 11, 2020, Winterhold Investments, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Shaun M/ James, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that DreamNation Media, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The designated office of the Company is 2328 N. 177th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The registered agent of the Company is Casanova Brooks, 2328 N. 177th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The Company was formed on April 28, 2020.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HERITAGE 5, LLC The name of the Company is Heritage 5, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124.

This limited liability company commenced business on April 28, 2020.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF BOILER REPAIR & SERVICES, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is Boiler Repair & Services, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 8720 F Street, Omaha, NE 68127. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business is any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on March 4, 2020 and shall perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION, L1CY, LLC The name of the Limited Liability Company is L1CY, LLC. The address of the registered office of the Company is 1610 S 35 St., Omaha, NE 68105 and the registered agent of the said Company is Jordan P. Lacy.

The designated office of the Company is 1610 S 35 St., Omaha, NE 68105.

The existence began on April 1, 2020, when Articles of Organization were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Notice is hereby given of the organization of E.B. SHADOW LAKE, LLC. The designated office of the limited liability company is 14514 Nelsons Creek Drive, Omaha, NE 68116. The name and address of the limited liability company’s registered agent is Andrew Meier, 3536 South Locust, Grand Island, Nebraska 68801. The limited liability company is organized to engage in and to do any lawful act concerning any and all lawful business, other than banking or insurance for which a limited liability may be organized under the laws of Nebraska. The limited liability company commenced business on February 19, 2020 and shall have perpetual existence. The business of the limited liability company is conducted by its members, Andrew Meier and James A. Burrow, III. Dated April 27, 2020.

E.B. SHADOW LAKE, LLC First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KECRX, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF METRO AIR-STEAMHYDRONICS, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 SCOTT A. MEYERSON, Esq. LIKES MEYERSON HATCH LLC 444 Regency Parkway Dr., #100 Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BEST SHARED NOW, LLC Notice is hereby given that Best Shared Now, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial designated office is 220 South 216th Circle, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial agent for service of process is 220 South 216th Circle, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is John Matthews.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020

AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), SHARI L LEE You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 12/30/2019 on Case Number CI20-226, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $721.37, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs.

You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 06/15/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly.

CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), JUSTIN G SCHROEDER You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 01/09/2020 on Case Number CI20-1271, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $1,184.39, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 06/15/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly.

CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 CHARLES E. DORWART, Attorney MASSIH LAW, LLC 226 N. 114th Street Omaha, NE 68154 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-278 Estate of Bobbie Ada Davis, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on February 27th, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said Decedent and that Herbert L. Davis, Jr. 42456 Leesylvania Court, Ashburn, VAA 20148 was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate.

Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before April 14, 2020 or be forever barred.

CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF MKC CMY, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is MKC CMY, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 21506 Parkview Drive, Gretna, NE 68028. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business is any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on April 20, 2020 and shall have a perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Notice is hereby given that Indian Creek Reserve – Villas Owners Association, Inc. has been incorporated under the laws of the state of Nebraska. Its initial principal registered office is located at 3827 S. 148th Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68144. Its initial registered office agent is Jana Faller. The general nature of its business is to provide for the maintenance, preservation and architectural control of the improvements and common areas within the Indian Creek Reserve subdivision, a residential subdivision in Douglas County, Nebraska. The corporation is a perpetual mutual benefit corporation and shall have members. The Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 24, 2020. Its affairs shall be conducted by a Board of Directors, President, Secretary and Treasurer as may be prescribed by the bylaws, or appointed by the Board of Directors.

Its two incorporators are Jana Faller & Steve Faller whose address is 3827 S. 148th Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68144.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 MARK J. LAPUZZA, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF nZANE, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of nZANE, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is nZANE, LLC. 2. The address of the limited liability company’s initial designated office is 331 Village Pointe Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68118.

3. The name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Mark J. LaPuzza, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020

Midlands Business Journal • MAY 15, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 N O T I C E O F T H E O R G A N I Z AT I O N O F S T E P S TO N E ACQUISITIONS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is Step Stone Acquisitions, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 3157 Farnam Street, Suite 7104-7170, Omaha, NE 68131. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business is any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on April 24, 2020 and shall have a perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MEC LEARN AND GROW AT HOME, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MEC Learn and Grow at Home, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 2111 S. 220th Avenue, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PREMIER CARDIOVASCULAR CARE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Premier Cardiovascular Care, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 9921 Devonshire Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. All members, managers, professional employees and agents of the Company are licensed, certified or otherwise legally authorized to render medical or surgical services in this state.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ADLERBERG REALTY, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Adlerberg Realty, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is Adlerberg Realty, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 18904 Leavenworth Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF CONVERSION OF CERTIFIED CELL, LLC TO CERTIFIED CELL, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CERTIFIED CELL, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has filed Articles of Conversion with the Nebraska Secretary of State converting the limited liability company to CERTIFIED CELL, INC., a Delaware corporation, effective April 23, 2020. The Company has designated its registered agent as The Corporation Trust Company, with registered office at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF EXPERIOR SERVICE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Experior Service, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 6317 South 135th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137 and designating its registered agent as Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C. a limited liability organization with its registered office at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that KRIS OF ALL TRADES LLC & USCA, INC., a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 1603 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE, 68102. Its initial agent for service of process of the Company is Kristopher Norman, 2507 S 148th Ave Circle, Omaha, NE 68144.

First publication May 1, 2020, final May 15, 2020

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF CONVERSION OF KUBAT PHARMACY, INC. AND ORGANIZATION OF KUBAT PHARMACY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Kubat Pharmacy, Inc. has been converted into Kubat Pharmacy, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the company is 4942 Center Street, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, 68106. The Registered Agent is Daniel Welch and the registered address is 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1220, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. The conversion of the corporation into the limited liability company was accomplished by the filing of Articles of Conversion and Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State on March 12, 2020.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF CONVERSION OF KUBAT CUSTOM HEALTH CARE, INC. AND ORGANIZATION OF KUBAT CUSTOM HEALTH CARE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Kubat Custom Health Care, Inc. has been converted into Kubat Custom Health Care, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the company is 4942 Center Street, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, 68106. The Registered Agent is Daniel Welch and the registered address is 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1220, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. The conversion of the corporation into the limited liability company was accomplished by the filing of Articles of Conversion and Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State on March 12, 2020.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Ihle Psychological Services, P.C. was formed on March 10, 2020. The initial registered office is at 15805 Bancroft Court, Apt. #1334, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and its registered agent at that address is Christopher Ihle.

The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of capital stock. The name and address of the incorporator is Christopher Ihle, 15805 Bancroft Court, Apt. #1334, Omaha, Nebraska 68130.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that FRS Express, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 14146 Cindy Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68137.

The registered agent of the Company is Jorge Flores, 14146 Cindy Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. The Company was formed on April 29, 2020.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Gunworx Gunsmithing, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Gunworx Gunsmithing, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 12933 No. 184th St., Bennington, Nebraska 68007 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Kalen A. Carr, 12933 No. 184th St., Bennington, Nebraska 68007.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 TIEDEMAN, LYNCH, KAMPFE, McVAY & RESPELIERS, Attorneys 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68106-1045 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that CLUSIVE CO., LLC, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with its designated office at 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The initial registered agent is John S. Kampfe, and the registered agent’s address is 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The general nature of the business is to engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized. The limited liability company was formed on April 28, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF CR HOLDCO, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CR Holdco, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (“Corporation”), has filed Articles of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 20, 2019, and the Corporation is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the Corporation are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore. The CEO, Cory J. Wiedel, will wind up and liquidate the Corporation’s business and affairs. The Corporation has no assets or liabilities as of the date hereof.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020

15

MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF MCB PROPERTIES, LLC Notice is hereby given that Patriot Health Wellness Company, LLC has amended its Certificate of Organization as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The amended notice of organization reflects the name change from Patriot Wellness Company, LLC to 602 Merrill Enterprises, LLC. First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 MICHAEL J. WEAVER, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF FRIL OPERATING LLC Notice is hereby given that FRIL OPERATING LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 16934 Frances Street, Suite #200, Omaha, NE 68130. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HANSERMAN ACRES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Hanserman Acres, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The Designated Office Address of the Company is 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that KRIS OF ALL TRADES LLC a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 2507 S. 148 AVE CIR., OMAHA, NE 68144. Its initial agent for service of process of the Company is USCA, INC. at 1603 FARNAM STREET, OMAHA, NE 68102.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 BENJAMIN E. MAXELL, Attorney GOVIER, KATSKEE, SUING & MAXELL, PC, LLO 10404 Essex Court, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JESSICA McMURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has formed a limited liability company under the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act, as follows: The name of the company is Jessica McMurray Photography, LLC. The address of the designated office is 14821 N Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68137 and the initial registered agent is Benjamin E. Maxell, 10404 Essex Court, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The company is organized to engage in and do any lawful act concerning any and all lawful business, other than banking and insurance, for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of Nebraska. The limited liability company commenced existence on the filing and recording of its Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of State on April 27, 2020, and shall have a perpetual period of duration from the date the Certificate of Organization was filed with the Secretary of State. Management of the Company shall be vested in an initial board of one manager who shall serve until successors are appointed or elected.

Benjamin E. Maxell, Registered Agent First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Green Therapy Centers, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Green Therapy Centers, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500, Omaha, Nebraska 68102 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Robert Kmiecik, 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500, Omaha, Nebraska 68102.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PraesensBIO, LLC has organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office of the Company is University of Nebraska Medical Center, Wittson Hall, Room 4038, Omaha, NE 68106. The initial registered office of the Company is 1125 S. 103rd St., Ste. 800, Omaha, NE 68124, and the name of the initial registered agent of the Company at such address is Capitol Services, Inc. The purpose for which the Company is organized is to engage in any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Certificate of Organization was filed on the 29th day of April 2020.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020

16

• MAY 15, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PROVIDER, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PROVIDER, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.The Designated Office Address of the Company is 5036 Oaks Lane Omaha, Nebraska 68137.The Registered Agent of the Company is Attia Ahebla and her street and mailing address is 5036 Oaks Lane Omaha, Nebraska 68137.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Findo, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Findo, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 17505 Poppleton Ave. Omaha, NE, 68130.

The Registered Agent of the Company is Jacob Gideon, 17505 Poppleton Ave. Omaha, NE, 68130.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BAET, LLC The name of the Company is BAET, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 5820 North 279th Circle, Valley, Nebraska 68064. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: Margot J. Wichman, 1650 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. This limited liability company commenced business on April 30, 2020.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 85 SEABEES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 85 Seabees, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office address of the Company is 19710 Pine Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF CN FRANCHISE HOLDCO, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CN Franchise Holdco, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (“Corporation”), has filed Articles of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 20, 2019, and the Corporation is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the Corporation are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore. The President, Ryan M. Zink, will wind up and liquidate the Corporation’s business and affairs. The Corporation has no assets or liabilities as of the date hereof.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CCAH, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on May 7, 2020, and the company is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore, and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its Member. Herbert Hartman, Jr. will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against the company, please provide the following information with respect to your claim: (1) your name or the name of your entity; (2) the nature of your claim; (3) the amount of your claim; and (4) the date your claim arose. All claims shall be mailed to 6211 Chicago Street, Omaha, NE 68132. A claim against the company is barred unless an action to enforce the claim is commenced within five (5) years after the publication date of the third required notice.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 GNUSE & GREEN LAW OFFICES, P.C., Attorneys 11311 Chicago Circle Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MILEGI, L.L.C. A Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that Milegi, L.L.C., a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 4530 Manchester Drive, Omaha, NE 68152.

The general nature of its business is to engage in and do any lawful act concerning any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the limited liability company’s initial registered office is 4530 Manchester Drive, Omaha, NE 68152 and the name of its’ initial registered agent at such address is Milton Schneider, III. The Certificate of Organization was filed in the office of the Nebraska Secretary of State on April 29, 2020. The Company commenced business thereon and shall have perpetual existence.

The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by the Members.

Rodney G. Gnuse, Organizer First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF PITCH IN FOUNDATION Notice is hereby given that a nonprofit corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is Pitch IN Foundation. The corporation is a public benefit corporation and will not have members. The name and street address of the corporation’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128, and its incorporators are Jay Musil, Jason Dale, and Marcus Hebert, 3622 S. 197th Street, Omaha, NE 68130.

Jay Musil, Jason Dale, and Marcus Hebert, Incorporators First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-606 Estate of EUGENE J. SIADEK, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on the 29th day of April, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Testacy of the Estate of Eugene J. Siadek and that the following surviving son was appointed as the Personal Representative of this estate.: Eugene S. Siadek, 1629 N. 160th Street, Omaha, NE 68118 Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before July 8, 2020 or be forever barred.

CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 DANIEL W. RYBERG, Attorney 11605 Arbor Street, Suite 150 Omaha, Nebraska 68144 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-600 Estate of SHARON K HERSKIND, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on the 28th day of April 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of informal probate of the Last Will and Testament of Sharon K Herskind and that Dennis Herskind, whose address is c/o Daniel W Ryberg, 11605 Arbor, Omaha, Nebraska 68144 was appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the estate.

Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before July 8, 2020 or be forever barred.

CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF D&W INVESTMENTS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of D&W Investments, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is D&W Investments, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 1224 S. 118th Street, Omaha, NE 68144, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SCARLET SILK, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Scarlet Silk, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION 1. The name of the Corporation is Christina Pruitt, D.D.S., P.C. 2. The Corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $1.00 each.

3. The Registered Office of the Corporation is: 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska 68124, and the Registered Agent at such address is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. 4. The corporate existence began on May 6, 2020, when Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State.

5. The name and address of the Incorporator is: Christina Pruitt, D.D.S., 6026 Country Club Oaks Place, Omaha, Nebraska 68152.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020

BREASCH ACCOUNTING INC. 4879 S 132nd Avenue Omaha, NE 68137 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION 1. The name of the Corporation is A & M Dins Inc. 2. The Corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $1.00 each.

3. The Registered Office of the Corporation is: 4879 S 132nd Ave, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska 68137, and the Registered Agent at such address is Cynthia Breasch.

4. Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on April 7, 2020.

5. The name and address of the Incorporator is: Adam Dinsmore, 15923 Curtis Ave, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska 68116.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GOLDENROD GP III, LLC The name of the Company is Goldenrod GP III, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122.

The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is Zachary A. Wiegert, whose mailing address is 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122.

This limited liability company commenced business on May 6, 2020.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Waitt Brands, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on May 7, 2020, and the company is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore, and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its Member. If you have a claim against Waitt Brands, LLC, please provide the following information with respect to your claim: (1) your name or the name of your entity; (2) the nature of your claim; (3) the amount of your claim; and (4) the date your claim arose. All claims shall be mailed to 1125 S 103rd Street, Suite 425, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. A claim against Waitt Brands, LLC is barred unless an action to enforce the claim is commenced within five (5) years after the publication date of the third required notice.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72ND STREET, SUITE 1200 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68124 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE ORGANIZATION Please take notice that the Certificate of Organization for Betty 1976, LLC has been amended to change the name of the limited liability company to Betty 1956, LLC. First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF CONVERSION OF THE MAIDS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND ORGANIZATION OF THE MAIDS INTERNATIONAL, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that The Maids International, Inc. has been converted into The Maids International, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the company is 9394 W. Dodge Road, Suite 140, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, 68114. The Registered Agent is Daniel J. Bishop at 9394 W. Dodge Road, Suite 140, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, 68114. The conversion of the corporation into the limited liability company was accomplished by the filing of Articles of Conversion and Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 27, 2020.

First publication May 8, 2020, final May 22, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 N O T I C E O F O R G A N I Z AT I O N O F A N D R E A B E L L INTERNATIONAL, LLC The name of the Company is Andrea Bell International, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 9960 Bloomfield Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. This limited liability company commenced business on May 11, 2020.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Designinator LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with the following registered agent and registered office: Catherine White, 4206 Walnut Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68105. The company was organized on March 24 2020, and it shall continue in perpetuity unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms of its operating agreement.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020

Midlands Business Journal • MAY 15, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RISE DECKS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Rise Decks, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 7202 Giles Road, Suite 4, PMB 278, La Vista, Nebraska 68128 and designating its registered agent as Erickson & Sederstrom P.C. a limited liability organization with its registered office at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF VACEK HOLDINGS, INC. Notice is hereby given that a corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is Vacek Holdings, Inc. The corporation is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of common stock. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on May 5, 2020 and shall have perpetual duration. The name and street address of the corporation’s initial registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the incorporator is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114.

LDM Business Services, Inc., Incorporator First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF BROKEN BAR K BEEF, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is Broken Bar K Beef, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 5127 N. 160th Cir., Omaha, NE 68116. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business is any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on May 7th, 2020 and shall have a perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF KATHOL LAND AND CATTLE, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is Kathol Land and Cattle, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 5127 N. 160th Cir., Omaha, NE 68116. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business is any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on May 7th, 2020 and shall have a perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION HG Electric, Inc., whose registered agent is Dennis Guinn and registered office is 9341 Davenport Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, was formed on May 7, 2020 to engage in any lawful business. The corporation has authorized 10,000 shares of capital stock. The name and address of the incorporator is Thomas E. Whitmore, 7602 Pacific St., Ste. 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 TIEDEMAN, LYNCH, KAMPFE, McVAY & RESPELIERS, Attorneys 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68106-1045 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given that CREATIVE MINDS DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPLY GROUP, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company was administratively dissolved. Persons having claims against the company must present them in writing to John S. Kampfe, Tiedeman, Lynch, Kampfe, McVay & Respeliers, 300 Overland Wolf Centre, 6910 Pacific Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68106 and specify the nature of the claim, the amount of the claim and the name and address of the claimant. A claim against the company is barred unless an action to enforce the claim is commenced within 5 years after the publication date of the third required notice.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020

STATE OF NEBRASKA PAROLE BOARD HEARINGS NOTICE A total of 172 cases will be heard by the Board in May, 2020. The following case(s) sentenced in Douglas County will be seen by the Board of Parole.

May 13, 2020 – 9:30 a.m. Nebraska Correctional Center for Women, York, Nebraska Goff, Lisa 392269 Sexual Assault of Child 1st Degree May 18, 2020 – 9:30 a.m. Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, Tecumseh, Nebraska Howell, Anthony 87710 Burglary Mooney, Dakota 89820 Theft by Unlwfl Taking or Disp May 20, 2020 – 8:30 a.m. Community Correctional Center – Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska Ngudia, Rolf 85667 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I, Robbery (2 counts) Copeland, Dillon 85970 Operate Motor Veh/Avoid Arrest, Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Blair, Kenneth 85973 Child Abuse,Pos Firearm by Fugitive/Felon, Strangulation Ackerman, Steven 86286 Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana, Pos Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug, Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop Johnson, Robert 86622 Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana, Possession of Burglary Tools, Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop (3 counts), Theft by Unlwfl Taking or Disp (3 counts) Bradley, Christopher 88350 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I, Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana Lampkin, Maurice 88355 Robbery Holland, William 89602 Robbery Galindo, Edward 89788 Burglary, Criminal Mischief, False Imprisonment 1st Degree (2 counts) Curtis, Brian 89816 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Foster, Kendall 98887 Robbery Ixta, Milea 99968 Accessory to a Felony, Theft by Unlwfl Taking or Disp Dewitt, Devlin 210635 Domestic Assault, Robbery Casillas, Jose 210666 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I May 21, 2020 – 8:30 a.m. Community Correctional Center – Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska Fleming, Thomas 37756 Robbery (6 counts) Anderson, Martin 39165 Aslt Peac Ofcr/DCS Emp 3rd Dgr, Murder 2nd Degree, Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug, Use Firearm to Commit Felony Breazeale, Jason 67349 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Nielson, Mark 71744 Operate Motor Veh/Avoid Arrest (2 counts), Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug, Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop (2 counts) Perez, Luke 73593 Aslt Peac Ofcr/DCS Emp 3rd Dgr Simpson, James 77182 Assault 2nd Degree Matya, Lawrence 79196 Burglary, Possession of Burglary Tools Brooks, Tyrone 82048 Assault 2nd Degree, Possession of Defaced Firearm, Use Deadly Weap to Commit Fel Holmes, Joshua 84763 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Peters, Justin 88046 Motor Vehicle Homicide Orozco, Alexis 89142 Burglary Partee, Carlo 89382 Driving Under Revoked License, Manu/Dist/ Del/Disp or Poss W/I (3 counts) Caniglia, Joshua 89669 Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana Washington-Porter, Larquan 88297 Robbery Adison, Jason 86146 Burglary (2 counts), Robbery May 22, 2020 – 8:30 a.m. Omaha Correctional Center, Omaha, Nebraska Lary, Jeffrey 75595 Viol of Financial Trans Device (3 counts) Gonzalez, Manuel 79577 Assault 2nd Degree, Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana Womack, Kandon 79596 Assault 2nd Degree Jennings, Michael 81312 Child Abuse, Domestic Assault, Use Deadly Weap to Commit Fel Rhodes, Edward 85846 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I, Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana (2 counts) Moore, Joshua 87524 Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana, Theft by Unlwfl Taking or Disp Disher, Jayden 89968 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug, Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop Morrison, Jorge 74883 Sexual Assault of Child 1st Degree May 26, 2020 – 8:30 a.m. Lincoln Correctional Center, Lincoln, Nebraska Cooper, John 58121 Robbery, Use Deadly Weap to Commit Fel Strong, Samuel 60066 Pos Firearm By Fugitive/Felon, Robbery Tibbs, Charles 61532 Assault 1st Degree, Burglary (2 counts), Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug, Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop, Theft by Unwlfl Taking or Disp Bailey, Robert 80696 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug, Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop Dawn, Schuyler 83379 Leave Scene of Injury Braddy, Austin 89813 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Guevara-Perez, Jose 210502 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Martinez, Marlon 210705 Sexual Assault 1st Degree Star, Allen 211201 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Warner, Ricky 210685 Theft by Deception May 28, 2020 – 8:30 a.m. Nebraska State Penitentiary, Lincoln, Nebraska Cole, Frankie 49081 Operate Motor Veh/Avoid Arrest, Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop Burr, Ezekiel 61929 Sexual Assault 1st Degree Granderson, Darrell 71821 Manslaughter, Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana Cardenas, Juan 80882 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I, Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Nemeth, Robert 83128 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I (2 counts), Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop Balbuena-Ignacio, Roberto 83460 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Pumala, Keith 87393 Burglary (2 counts), Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Williams, Jeremiah 88655 Burglary

17

Osborn, Avery 89194 Robbery Jaimes, Alex 84739 Burglary (4 counts) May 29, 2020 – 8:30 a.m. Community Correctional Center – Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska Sepulveda, Domingo 48613 Manslaughter, Unlwfl Discharge of Firearm, Use Deadly Weap to Commit Fel Spencer, Marcus 49021 Murder 2nd Degree, Use Firearm to Commit Felony Lewis, Dwight 74688 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I (3 counts) Martin, Tristen 83440 Theft by Deception Miller, Matthew 84911 Burglary, Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug, Theft by Unlwfl Taking or Disp Moore, Marlon 87820 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I, Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana Webster, Timothy 87821 Burglary (2 counts) Rydberg, Douglas 87895 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Sawaged, Rami 87903 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I McCormack, Shawn 88557 Robbery Turrentine-Sims, Dinah 97391 Theft by Deception (2 counts), Vulnerable Adult Abuse (2 counts) ROSALYN COTTON, CHAIR NEBRASKA BOARD OF PAROLE May 15, 2020 LEGACY DESIGN STRATEGIES 9859 South 168th Avenue Omaha, NE 68136 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION SMART WEALTH, LLC Notice is hereby given that Smart Wealth, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 13710 FNB Pkwy, #105, Omaha, NE 68154, and with its initial agent for service of process as Colin Kastrick, 9859 S 168th Street, Omaha, NE 68136.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 LEGACY DESIGN STRATEGIES 9859 South 168th Avenue Omaha, NE 68136 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION TAX SMART, LLC Notice is hereby given that Tax Smart, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 13710 FNB Pkwy, #105, Omaha, NE 68154, and with its initial agent for service of process as Colin Kastrick, 9859 S 168th Street, Omaha, NE 68136.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF P-3 SOLUTIONS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that P-3 Solutions, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 1520 S. 189th Court, Omaha, NE 68130 and designating its registered agent as Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C., a limited liability organization with its registered office at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION CGHH, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is 752 North 129th Street, Omaha, NE 68154. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are R. Craig Fry, Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 KELLOGG & PALZER, P.C. 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2647 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Company is HNS 2 PROPERTIES, LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 14320 Industrial Road, Omaha, NE 68144. The registered agent is Jeffrey T. Palzer and the Register Agent's address is 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6, Omaha, NE 68154.

3. The general nature of the Company is real estate holding company.

4. The Company commenced on May 8, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence.

5. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by Members, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as the Members shall determine.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 HEATHER VOEGELE ANSON 3516 North 163rd Plaza Omaha, Nebraska 68116 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF VOEGELE ANSON LAW, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Voegele Anson Law, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The Designated Office Address of the Company is 3516 North 163rd Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The Registered Agent of the Company is Heather Voegele Anson, 3516 North 163rd Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68116.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020

18

• MAY 15, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES EDWARD W. HASENJAGER, Attorney 3934 North 90th Street Omaha, Nebraska 68134 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-651 Estate of IRENE REGINA GLEBAVICIUS, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on May 8, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, PETER T. GRAYSON, whose address is 816 Driftwood Drive, Papillion, Nebraska 68046, has been informally appointed Personal Representative.

Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before July 15, 2020 or be forever barred.

KELLY J. HOLDEN Clerk of the Douglas County Court First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF WHOLLY LOVED MINISTRIES NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Wholly Loved Ministries has been incorporated as a nonprofit religious corporation under the laws of the State of Nebraska on March 20, 2020 (the “Company”). The Company has designated its registered agent as Jennifer Slattery, with registered office at 303 Longwood Dr Papillion, NE 68133. The Company will not have members.

Its affairs are to be conducted by the Board of Directors who shall appoint officers including a President, Secretary and Treasurer. Jennifer Slattery, Incorporator, 303 Longwood Dr Papillion, NE 68133.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Wees Concrete, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 1735 N. 105th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

The registered agent of the Company is Wade Wees, 1735 N. 105th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Company was formed on May 12, 2020.

First publication May 15, 2020, final May 29, 2020

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Business Journal

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Economic blow of the coronavirus hits America’s already stressed farmers

by Sandy West

Richard Oswald, still mourning the loss of his family’s homestead to flooding along the Missouri River, is planting corn and soybeans into ground that last year was feet deep underwater.

It’s probably good, he said, to not have too much time to think.

“Diversion therapy is the best treatment for farmers right now,” said the 70-year-old from Atchison County, Mo. “Being busy helps.”

Agriculture In an industry rocked over the past year by record rates of bankruptcies, suicides and mental health crises spurred by weather extremes, trade wars and faltering economics, COVID-19 has fostered even more uncertainty for the future of America’s farms. Already the pandemic has decimated agricultural markets.

For the men and women struggling to operate farms and associated businesses across the country, concerns are rising that the existing mental health crisis in farm country is about to get worse.

“If you look back over the last 20 or 30 years of U.S. agriculture, the events of the last 36 months or so couldn’t have come at a worse time,” said David Widmar, an agricultural economist with the industry analysis firm Agricultural Economic Insights.

“Everyone in the economy is facing a headwind right now; it’s just that the ag space is really behind. Producers have had almost seven bad years of bad news.”

To be sure, the global pandemic has taken a toll on mental health among people in all industries. But farming was battling high rates of suicide before the crisis hit. For example, men in rural Missouri have had the highest rate of suicide deaths in the state, at 35.6 per 100,000 residents in 2017, according to a February Missouri Hospital Association report — nearly double the statewide rate of 18.8. The U.S. rate at that time was 14.

Calls to farmer assistance hotlines have only increased since the COVID-19 pandemic first caused businesses and school systems nationwide to shut down, said Jennifer Fahy, a spokesperson for Farm Aid, which runs one of the hotlines. Farmers are expressing increased concern about being able to sell their products, at what price and how this will play out.

“I don’t think it is even close to what we will be hearing after another month, or two months,” Fahy said. “There is just so much unknown right now.”

Oswald, a fifth-generation farmer, said it is a given that crops and profitability will ebb and flow. But even before COVID-19 upended the economy, the past several years had been profoundly difficult. He has seen it in his friends, heard the stories of bankruptcies and suicide, and has felt it himself.

Oswald has seen the Missouri River jump its banks and flood his land before, although nothing quite like last year. He made it through the 1980s collapse in the agricultural markets.

And while he can’t imagine not farming, he said it has not been a life without challenges.

“I can cite time after time how it’s just depressing, and it is,” he said. “And you wish you’d listened to your dad and done something else.”

A shortage of behavioral health professionals in rural America has left large portions of the nation without critical resources.

As of April 23, more than 5,500 designated mental health professional shortage areas existed throughout rural America, affecting a population of about 120 million people, according to the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration.

Many farmers don’t carry insurance because, as independent businesses, the cost can be prohibitive. Oftentimes, a family member will work off the farm to obtain health insurance for the family. Pandemic-related layoffs have hit rural America hard, so many families have lost coverage, which may create an additional barrier to seeking behavioral health assistance.

A baked-in culture where farmers, mostly men, don’t easily express their emotions compounds the problem, Oswald and others said. Farmers are expected to face any challenge — often alone. If it is storming, they must tend to their animals or crops.

If equipment breaks down, they do the repair. If the crops fail, they still have to pay the bills. If both the domestic and world market for their products collapse, they have to sell their products at a loss.

Farming is already one of the most hazardous industries, with a high rate of fatal injury as well as a high rate of death due to stress-related conditions such as heart disease. Farmers often work in solitude. While efforts to reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health care have found success, the fear of

being found out still exists.

“If you acknowledge it, it is a sign of weakness,” Oswald said. “You don’t show your weakness. You’re not allowed to be weak. You have to be strong. And if you get to the point where you can’t be strong anymore, then you have betrayed everybody.”

Multiple programs were established in recent years to address rural mental health issues, including telehealth, video-conferencing platforms, Farm Aid’s farmer hotline and its farmer assistance fund, and Michigan State University’s Stress Management Train-the-Trainer Program. They are all designed to help lift them out of their mental health crises.

“Over the last 15 to 20 years, there has been substantial progress in reducing that kind of stigma, and building better on-ramps to help access mental health resources and services in rural communities, and getting adequate support for rural mental health professionals,” said Sean Brotherson, an extension family specialist at North Dakota State University.

But then the bad got even worse when the pandemic hit.

While a burst of panic buying occurred initially, the loss of the restaurant and school markets has been a new and huge economic blow to American agricultural producers. Ethanol and biodiesel markets fueled by America’s row crops are collapsing, and meat and pork processing plants shut down due to virus clusters found at their facilities. Many milk producers suddenly found themselves without large-scale clients, and with no way to quickly adjust packaging or to sell their product for other uses.

With major processing plants not operating, smaller local and regional operations in Kansas filled up fast — with few, if any, open slots until September, said Matt Ubel, who farms 320 acres in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, with his brother. He feels lucky to have found a small-town butcher to take his hogs in July. He said a neighbor recently called asking for help finding a processor to take his hogs, which are already overweight.

“You could tell he was pretty nervous and worried,” Ubel said. “It’s his only income.”

Constrained by laws, regulations and the fundamentals of the food system, many farmers who lost their buyers are stuck with product they cannot distribute elsewhere.

But loans have been secured for the year, based, in part, on projected yields and sale prices made before the pandemic. They must be repaid at the end of the year. For now, it seems likely that the collapsing agricultural markets will force more farmers into insolvency, said Widmar.

“Farming is so much of an identity, and that concept of it being a family identity that has been passed down through generations,” Fahy said. “And now today’s farmers are faced with: ‘Am I going to be the generation that loses the farm?’”

Michael Rosmann, an Iowa psychologist and a farmer, said the uncertainty is what is so difficult psychologically. “It’s a real serious problem for farm producers right now,” he said.

“Going into spring, it was like farmers were saying ‘Do you smell smoke?’” said Oswald, who farms specialty corn and soybeans with his son. “Now we realize something’s burning, and it’s in the attic and in the basement. Which fire do you put out first?”

Farm Aid recently held a virtual event to raise money to support local efforts to help farmers in crisis, Fahy said. She said recent federal aid packages for farmers have included money for expanding rural broadband and telehealth, which is even more critical now amid stay-at-home orders and social distancing requirements.

Oswald participated in a Train-the-Trainer program at a conference before the pandemic. It was an eye-opening experience, he said, that taught him how to help others. It also allowed him to confront his own struggles.

Originally, his local farmers union planned to hold meetings to train people in stress therapy. But social distancing and the obligations of the planting season arrived.

“Unfortunately, that’s not an option right now,” he said. “The main thing I’ve done is to use social media. But, as the weather has warmed, I’ve been busy with my own diversions. If there’s anything positive, it’s that everyone has problems right now. So, we are not alone.”

(Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.) ©2020 Kaiser Health News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Midlands Business Journal • MAY 15, 2020 •

Amid retail upheaval, even stronger players are strained

by Kavita Kumar

Retail was already in the midst of a major upheaval before the coronavirus pandemic.

Department stores were fighting to remain relevant. Debt-laden retailers were struggling to stay above water. And malls were trying to adjust by diversifying.

Now the stay-at-home orders closing many stores and malls have only intensified bad balance sheets and led consumers to shift, perhaps Economy permanently, more of their shopping online.

“It’s … ripping the Band-Aid off and now some of them are going to teeter faster,” said Mickey Chadha, an analyst at Moody’s.

“There is going to be a lot of pain.”

J. Crew and Neiman Marcus both declared bankruptcy in recent days, the first of many defaults and store closures analysts expect to see in the coming months.

But even the stronger players are feeling strain.

“It’s definitely a challenge,” said Jill Renslow, an executive vice president at the Mall of America. “We’re at the intersection of not only retail, but entertainment, hospitality and travel, which are all industries that have been hit really hard.”

While MOA is in a category of its own, also attracting travelers from around the world, it depends on many of the same stores as other malls in the Twin Cities. And those department stores and mall-based clothing stores are widely viewed as the most vulnerable since they were hurting before the pandemic.

Green Street Advisors predicts that more than half of all mall-based department stores will close by the end of 2021, hastening the demise of many second- and third-tier shopping malls that have been limping along for years.

The Mall of America has furloughed about 90% of its 900 employees while keeping some security, maintenance, housekeeping and groundskeeping staff intact. It is also exploring what type of state and federal aid might help it weather the closure.

“The rent coming from retailers is not what it was before COVID,” said Renslow, calling payments “minimal.” Like other malls, MOA has had to negotiate with tenants on rent deferrals and other payment plans so the stores can stay afloat.

“We have mortgage payments and tax payments just like other businesses,” she added.

The rent forbearance for retailers won’t last forever, said Bruce Nustad, president of the Minnesota Retailers Association.

“We look at the next two to four weeks as being a little bit of a watershed moment in terms of expenses coming due,” he said, nodding also to utility bills and sales tax payments, which were extended by 30 days.

“You can only delay those things for so long.”

Like many fellow retailers, Plymouth-based Christopher & Banks has negotiated with landlords, furloughed nearly all its employees and canceled orders with vendors. It also suspended $3 million in capital expenditures.

Christopher & Banks was already struggling before the pandemic, having been ranked in late February as the nation’s No. 1 apparel chain most vulnerable to default by analysts at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

While still unprofitable, the chain had been showing some progress from a turnaround

effort before the stay-at-home orders.

Now the chain, which caters to a loyal base of baby boomer women, is faced with trying to rebuild momentum at its 445 stores from a flat-footed start, evaluating a new set of expectations and buying habits from its customers developed during the pandemic.

“This crisis is going to precipitate a drop out of retailers in a way we haven’t seen to date,” said Neil Saunders, an analyst with GlobalData Retail. “It’s going to accelerate the demise of many weak retailers. And it’s going to be painful because it will be concentrated in a short period of time.”

Analysts expect that stronger players will also reconsider if they need as many stores as they did before with more shopping shifting online.

U.S. retail sales recorded their biggest decline ever in March as nonessential retailers closed up shop in the middle of that month.

Sales in April and May are expected to be even worse.

While apparel sales have dropped off a cliff, sales at “essential” retailers such as grocery stores, Walmart, Costco and Target — as well as Amazon — have surged as consumers have stocked up on food and household supplies. These retailers are widely considered to be better positioned as the economy opens back up, even while their profits might plunge from the higher costs to fulfill online orders and increased hazard pay for workers.

Brian Cornell, CEO of Minneapolis-based Target, said the pandemic will only magnify the differences between healthy retailers and those with big financial troubles.

That means more opportunities for Target to gain market share across many categories including apparel and home.

“That will be a benefit for us, but unfor-

tunately, it will come at the expense of others who are closing their doors and potentially no longer operating in this future environment,” he said.

As they cross their fingers, retailers are drawing up plans and starting to dip their toes into reopening stores in some states. Richfield-based Best Buy, which pivoted to curbside pickup in late March, has reopened 200 stores this month for visits by appointment.

Edina-based Evereve, a women’s clothing company with 90 stores in 28 states, began offering curbside pickup at most of its Twin Cities locations last week as Minnesota allowed retailers to begin operating that way.

Evereve plans to reopen 20 stores on Monday in other states that allow it, but will do so with new safety protocols that include face masks, which will be required for employees and encouraged for customers, said Mike Tamte, the retailer’s co-CEO. Stores will be open for shortened hours, have contactless payment and e-mail receipts.

They also will let returns sit untouched for 24 hours and items tried on in the dressing rooms won’t be put back on the sales floor until the next day.

Evereve is in better financial shape than many retailers, with a debt-free balance sheet.

It went into the pandemic with $20 million in cash, but has already spent $6 million of that, a large portion of it on payroll, before it furloughed employees. Now it’s losing $100,000 to $200,000 a week.

But even when stores reopen, Tamte expect sales will be sluggish for many months and has forecast revenue to be down 30% through the end of the year.

“We hope we’re wrong, but right now that’s our best guess,” he said.

With unemployment at the highest level

19

since the Great Depression, retailers are wondering when consumers will want to start spending — and when they will want to go back to stores — for nonessential, discretionary items.

“We know there are many people who are stir crazy,” said Renslow, of the Mall of America. “And we hear from our customers all of the time on social media that they’re excited to come back and can’t wait for us to reopen. But there’s a sector of the population that is definitely going to be a little more hesitant and has some anxiety about coming back into public settings such as malls and entertainment venues.”

The mall will likely reopen in phases when it gets the green light from the governor’s office to do so. New safety protocols will include plexiglass barriers at guest services and in food courts; designated doors for entering and exiting the mall; and social distancing markers on floors near digital directories. The mall is also evaluating each attraction in Nickelodeon Universe, weighing whether to require visitors to wear masks on certain rides.

Mall leaders also will focus short term on the local market since tourists are unlikely to resume flying in this year. MOA has launched a new curbside pickup service and it is exploring ideas such as a virtual shopping assistant to help shop its stores online.

And they are already thinking about how holiday shopping will change this year.

“We’re looking at what is the Santa experience going to look like? What is Black Friday going to look like?” Renslow said.

“We have to plan for the future.”

(Minneapolis Star Tribune staff writer Jackie Crosby contributed to this report.) ©2020 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

US has not seen unemployment rise this sharply since 1948. Experts say it’s not over yet

by Andrew Maykuth

The nation’s unemployment rate jumped more than 10 points to 14.7% in April as the coronavirus pandemic brought the U.S. economy to a standstill, the largest one-month plunge in employment levels since the federal government began measuring such data in 1948.

Total nonfarm payroll Technology employment fell by 20.5 million in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported recently. Employment fell sharply in all major industry sectors, with particularly heavy job losses in leisure and hospitality.

Unemployment rates rose sharply among all major worker groups. The rate was 13% for adult men, 15.5% for adult women, 31.9% for teenagers, 14.2% for whites, 16.7%% for blacks, 14.5% for Asians, and 18.9% for Hispanics. Except for blacks, the rates for all groups were record highs, the BLS said.

Economists had anticipated that the monthly government unemployment figures, which explore job losses more deeply than the weekly reports on new unemployment claims, would reflect an historic erosion of job losses. But some expect that unemployment will worsen in May, though new claims are subsiding and some states are beginning to lift lockdown orders.

“Even with the economy slowly starting to reopen, the number of unemployed should continue to rise sharply as governments, as

well as businesses that have tried but not succeeded at holding the line, are now laying off workers,” Joel Naroff, president and founder of Naroff Economic Advisors in Bucks County, said in a note to clients. He and other economists expect the unemployment rate to exceed 20%.

Most of the job losses occurred recently, reflecting the lightening strike to workforce from widespread COVID-19 lockdowns.

The number of unemployed persons who were jobless for less than 5 weeks increased by 10.7 million to 14.3 million, accounting for almost two-thirds of the unemployed.

The number of long-term unemployed, for 27 weeks or more, declined by 225,000 over the month to 939,000, or 4.1% of the unemployed.

The US labor force participation rate — the working population between 16 to 64 years old who are currently employed or seeking employment — dropped to 60.2% in April from 62.7% in March, the lowest rate since January 1973 when it was 60%.

The sectors hit hardest come as little surprise: Employment in leisure and hospitality plummeted by 7.7 million, or 47%, and almost three-quarters of that were in food services and drinking places.

Employment declined by 2.5 million in education and health services. While hospitals were overcome by COVID patients, other health-care sectors shed 1.4 million jobs, led by losses in offices

of dentists, physicians and other health care providers.

Employment declined 651,000 in social assistance, reflecting job losses in child day care services and individual and family services. Employment in private education declined by 457,000 over the month.

Professional and business services shed 2.1 million jobs in April, led by sharp losses in temporary help services and in services to buildings and dwellings.

Jobs in retail trade declined by 2.1 million, including clothing and clothing accessories, motor vehicle sales, and furniture stores. The job losses were offset by a gain of 93,000 jobs in general merchandise stores, including warehouse clubs and so called supercenters.

Manufacturing employment dropped by 1.3 million, mostly in durable goods, such as motor vehicles. Employment in the other services industry declined by 1.3 million in April, led by losses in personal and laundry services.

Government employment dropped by 980,000, mostly at the local government level. Construction jobs fell by 975,000, led by the loss in specialty trade contractors.

Employment fell by 584,000 in transportation and warehousing, including losses in transit and ground passenger transportation and in air transportation. ©2020 The Philadelphia Inquirer Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

20

• MAY 15, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Lincoln Celebrate EMPLOYMENT Construction & STAFFING Lincoln Business Journal Pages

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

Employment & Staffing overview • Shift to remote job interviews In-demand industries • Training programs • Employee benefits

Celebrate Construction Overview • How the pandemic is affecting projects Emerging trends • Industry careers • Infrastructure update Custom home trends • Renovations

Issue Date: May 22 • Ad Deadline: May 14

Issue Date: May 22 • Ad Deadline: May 14

Focus on Safety

SARPY COUNTY

GROWTH REPORT A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include the following: Topics may include:

• Sarpy County Growth Report Overview

Focus on Safety overview • Workers’ compensation Developing a workplace pandemic safety plan Transportation industry safety Predictive analytics and workplace safety

• Construction update • Banking • Health care

Issue Date: May 29 • Ad Deadline: May 21

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• Data centers/Tech • Real Estate

To advertise your company’s products or services in one of our upcoming sections, contact one of our MBJ advertising representatives at (402) 330-1760 or at the email addresses below.

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Midlands Business Journal • MAY 15, 2020 •

21

Education & Career Development A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

May 15, 2020

Learning opportunities and career development are critical for local ecosystem

by Gabby Christensen

Local organizations say education and career development is an ongoing process.

Julie Sigmon, director of Omaha STEM Ecosystem, said the most significant trend in the industry right now is that business and education are collaborating to ensure Omaha remains a vibrant community of innovation.

“At the fundamental core, STEM is exploration and critical thinking for solving solutions,” Sigmon said. “Today, every company is saying they need this in their Jurek workforce.”

Sigmon said educators have been working hard to create authentic learning experiences by encouraging students to be more thoughtful and work toward solutions.

“It’s important to make sure younger students are [receiving] project based learning,” she said. “For older students, we really want to ensure their experiences are connected to local businesses through offering them internship opportunities.”

Economic stability depends on students learning 21st century skills that will help them succeed once they enter the workforce.

“Eductors, students and industries are working in sync to make this happen,” she said. “This is an ongoing journey in which people must be active and engaged.”

Over the past few years, Joan Jurek, director of college planning for EducationQuest’s Omaha office, said there’s been an increased emphasis on career exploration.

“By determining interests and strengths by the end of eighth grade, students can pursue high school coursework that will further hone their career aspirations,” she said. “This, in turn, will prepare them to choose postsecondary education options that best fit their desired field of study.

EducationQuest supports early career and college planning by providing programs, services and publications at no cost for students in all Nebraska middle and high schools.”

Jurek said Nebraska has several occupations considered “high wage, high demand and high skill,” or H3, and businesses are looking for employees to fill them.

Currently, these include trades such as carpenter, electrician and plumber as well as professional positions like registered nurse, schoolteacher and software developer.

Itzel Lopez, vice president of operations and corporate communications at AIM Institute, said AIM has recently transitioned all

upcoming IT Leadership Academies, Youth in Tech programs and Code School classes to online platforms.

Regarding new opportunities for professional development, Lopez said AIM launched Callers2Coders, which places call center team

Lopez Henricks members into a multi-staged tech training pathway that transforms them into IT professionals.

“This breakthrough program empowers employers to cultivate their IT workforce from within and it has also moved to online training,” she said.

Growing and strengthening the workforce in Omaha ensures a stronger future for the community as a whole.

“At AIM, we want to help create a thriving community where everyone can pursue a rewarding tech career,” she said.

As technology advances, Susan Henricks, president and CEO at ICAN, said webinars, Zoom sessions and other types of virtual learning are gaining user adaptability and are quite effective.

“We at ICAN have always focused on the experiential learning types of experiences until now, as we look to bolster and pivot,” she said.

“We will never stop creating and conducting our long standing, highly valuable in-person experiential leadership development programs, but we are looking forward to augmenting these programs with various forms of virtual learning, when the need fits.”

Henricks said organizations, now more than ever, want a combination of in-person and virtual leadership development offerings.

ICAN partners with organizations to customize and craft programs to run internally, tailored to meet their organizational leadership needs.

“We are currently exploring how we can further customize these offerings with the option to present these programs as a hybrid, or even supplement the in-person experiential learning with virtual touch points to meet both individual and organizational needs and preferences as workplaces look to the future,” she said. “Organizations should seek opportunities to develop their leaders around skills that will support and serve them in uncertain times.”

Julie Sigmon, director of Omaha STEM Ecosystem, at the Daugherty Education Center at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.

22

• MAY 15, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal • Education & Career Development

History of online, blended courses positions schools well for transition to remote courses

by Michelle Leach

Technology may very well be one of the heroes of the current crisis, accelerating how institutions deliver curricula.

Since fall 2001, College of Saint Mary has offered online courses in the likes of business and political science.

“By 2002, courses were filling to capacity with a mix of upper-level courses and lower-level general education courses available to the students,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kimberly Allen.

On average over the past four years, 135 online courses have been taught annually, while hybrid courses grew from 34 in 2008 to 187 by 2010.

Even with this history, rolling out courses and services in less than a week required the development of a “Rapid Transition to Remote Learning” plan, Allen said, which assessed faculty and staff readiness. A “triage team” assisted faculty with the learning management system or significant tech needs.

“If anything, our ability to gracefully manage a rapid transition to remote learning has heightened our confidence and demonstrated our readiness to provide more access to higher education through online learning,” she said. “Letting go of our resistance to online education across multiple disciplines will be of benefit to CSM as well as many other institutions of higher education.”

CSM’s blended learning and competency-based Doctor of Physical Therapy launches in June.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Susan Kruml said Midland University began

leveraging online learning about a decade ago with its Master of Business Administration program.

“While remote learning can engage students and learning can be effective, it has to be done right,” Kruml said. “So, along the way, we also invested in a position, Director of Innovative Teaching.”

Allen Kruml As director, James Miller has led a faculty team tasked with strengthening teaching methods to incorporate innovative active learning over the past two years; for instance, its one-to-one iPad initiative for undergraduate students, since equal access to tech devices is “critical” to moving active learning goals forward. Miller uses evidence-based practices to infuse new tech like artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

A willingness to try new things has paid off, as the university pivoted to remote learning in 48 hours post-crisis.

“While this was not ideal, it was during the early spread of COVID-19 in Nebraska and we had over 60 students who were ex-

posed,” Kruml said.

Access to devices, said Midland University’s Director of Academic Core Experience Kate McCown, aided in The Academic Resource Center and Library’s transition to support students through virtual services.

In fact, McCown said some students are using remote assistance with writing, math and tutoring for the first time, and she sees opportunities for improved learning as policies have been rewritten to favor flexibility for students.

“By the mid1990s, Metropolitan Community College was delivering remote learning via VHS vidMcDonnell eotape,” said Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Tom McDonnell. “Course modules were recorded on video, and students would check the tapes out from campus libraries on a weekly basis.”

He said the college, which migrated to online instruction in 2000, started adding video content to online courses 10-plus years ago, deepening connections with students.

“A lot of our courses are already offered online,” he said. “So, moving on-campus sections to online was fairly simple.”

McDonnell also noted career and technical courses (such as auto and HVAC) are difficult to replicate at home.

“I suppose we could have students tear

apart and put together their home heating and air conditioning systems, but the rest of the family might not appreciate it,” he said.

“We’re working on ways to bring students back in limited numbers to do this type of work, but a lot depends on circumstances beyond our control.”

Live video conferencing provides additional value as McDonnell also noted the college plans to offer all courses in either an online, remote or blended environment in the fall quarter.

“We hope to use on-campus time to focus on application and active/interactive learning activities,” he said.

With a 100-plus-year history of distance education programming, the University of Nebraska’s four campuses reportedly offer more than 150 online degree, certificate and endorsement programs across 16 fields of study, spanning business, health care and other “high-demand” areas.

When asked about how online experience aided the university during the current outbreak, a University of Nebraska Online spokesperson referred to access to the same expert faculty at its four campuses and a responsive, highly interactive community of learners. Further, it was noted that online courses are challenging, current and relevant. Addressing cost, its Promise program covers tuition for qualifying online, full-time undergraduate Nebraska residents pursuing degrees at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Nebraska at Omaha campuses.

Midlands Business Journal • MAY 15, 2020 •

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Subscribe and pay online today at MBJ.com The Lincoln

BUSINESS

APRIL 2018

Vol. 21 No. 4 $2.00

Journal

Erickson Sullivan

Continued from page 12.

OK,� she said. “But it’s not what you can see; it’s what you can’t see.�

Servicon, which specializes in sanitizing so-called critical environments such as industrial clean rooms, operating rooms and other medical facilities, hired 120 people in April in expectation of working for office owners and other businesses planning to elevate their cleaning procedures.

Only a few months ago, it was fairly standard for office cleaning to consist of dumping trash and vacuuming, the indoor equivalent of a home gardener’s “mow and blow� yard cleanup, Sewell said. Some landlords saved money by turning off the hot water in the restrooms, which often were, however, the one part of the office that actually got disinfected by janitors.

Sewell predicts that many offices will now be regularly disinfected electrostatically using a charged solution that clings to surfaces and kills germs in hard-to-reach places. Such thoroughness can drive up the cost of cleaning as much as 50%, she said.

Keeping surfaces clean may require new edicts from managers about limiting personal objects on desks or at least requiring them to be stowed away at night. Objects with porous surfaces, such as plush toys, are hard to keep clean. “No more Beanie Babies,� Sewell said.

She predicted that many managers will follow a strict clean-desk policy recommended by real estate services company Cushman & Wakefield, which calls for disposable paper place mats for each desk that would be changed daily as employees sanitize their personal space.

And about that coffee?

You may need to bring your own because Cushman’s suggested rules say that coffee pots should be removed and that open food items such as a box of doughnuts should be verboten.

Only prepackaged items in containers would be allowed.

If this is starting to sound like work is going to be less fun, you are right.

People-oriented perks and pleasures that were added to office complexes in recent years are going to be gone for the time being, said

Marty Caverly, who oversees property management for Los Angeles real estate company Lowe. “The last real estate cycle was an amenities war,� Caverly said, with office landlords trying to attract tenants by offering extras such as gyms, training rooms and game lounges. “Out of the gate, we are going to have to shut those things down.�

Instead, safety will be the enticing amenity, in part because people need human connection and desire to be among their work colleagues, he said. “Now we have the burden of making them feel safe doing it,� Caverly said. “If you do that correctly, they will stay in your building longer.�

Recent surveys of Lowe’s tenants show “all of them want to come back,� he said, perhaps starting in phases as designated teams work Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while others work Tuesday and Thursday.

That’s part of the recently announced return plan for design firm Bergmeyer, which has an office in downtown Los Angeles. Company leaders are taking a gentle approach with employees and told them that they may continue to work at home for the foreseeable future, but that executives “recognize that there are many people eager to return to the office as soon as it’s safe to do so.�

Distancing measures will be in place and everyone is “encouraged� to wear a face mask through mid-July. Coffee makers and tea stations will be unavailable and no more than three people at a time can visit the restroom. Daily cleaning will be a constant health measure.

Some of the changes in office use such as reduced desk density will probably continue after the threat of the virus has passed, CBRE’s Beaudoin said, and companies may permanently adjust staffing patterns as working from home gets further ingrained in their culture. “But are we going to radically change the way people work? No,� he said. “This too shall pass.� Š2020 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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• MAY 15, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal