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SEPTEMBER 27, 2019
THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS
$2.00
VOL. 45 NO. 39
City+Ventures activates diversified portfolio of regional projects
THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:
by Richard D. Brown
Grand Island-born Clearwater Counseling opens second location in Omaha metro. – Page 2
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Entrepreneurial interest, quality of startups reigns in Omaha metro. – Page 4
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Family businesses have sunny outlook nationwide; leverage inherent strengths. – Page 24
Omaha-based City+Ventures is a seven-year-old real estate development firm with ownership in diversified sectors including automotive, private airline and construction. Owners Christopher Erickson and Daniel White currently employ about 170, but are targeting the creation of up to 1,000 new positions in the next few years. Erickson, a Nebraska native said much of his time is focused on the buzz surrounding City+Ventures’ work on the $200 million-plus mixed-use La Vista City Centre project, which is benefiting from the population and strong demographics of the South 84th Street corridor. His company is also working on projects throughout much of Lincoln and Omaha — and beyond. One is the purchase of Southlake Technology Park in Lenexa, Kansas. The $88 million deal includes 784,557 square feet among 11 Class A buildings. “We’re focusing largely on Continued on page 10.
From left, co-owners Daniel White and Christopher Erickson … Rapid growth is attributed to the company’s investment in a wide range of projects. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)
Kelly’s Carpet Omaha focuses on growth in commercial segment by Becky McCarville
With a commercial design gallery for owners, architects and interior designers along with vignettes to showcase residential fashion and flooring, Kelly’s Carpet Omaha continues to gain market share. General Manager Tommy Hughes, whose parents, Mike and Jody Hughes, founded the flooring company in 1986, said that
the business started primarily in residential replacement flooring but over the past seven to eight years there has been a strategic jump in growth on the commercial side. The commercial department brings in about 35% of sales. “I would say that the biggest change we’ve had for the past five years is in the growth side of things,” he said. “We’ve Continued on page 11. Managing Partner Craig Moody … Sustainability consulting firm gains national clientele, expands into zoo and aquarium, aviation space.
Verdis Group celebrates 10 years, eyes national and diverse clientele by Savannah Behrends
General Manager Tommy Hughes … Focusing on flooring for continued year-over-year growth and gaining market share.
When Craig Moody and Daniel Lawse started Verdis Group in 2009, the push for corporate sustainability came from a desire to save money, not the planet. That script has flipped in recent years as more organizations, not just companies, consider climate change and how it relates to their community and business.
One recently announced project with the city of Lincoln exemplifies this change. The Climate Action Plan looks at how the climate is changing, what the implications are and how Lincoln can prepare and adapt. “[Lincoln’s] water infrastructure is not as robust as Omaha’s so when there’s a draught the city has to limit the amount Continued on page 12.