Three Cheers for Four-Time Economic Development Champions
It’s an economic win that has become an annual celebration: For the third year in a row, and the fourth time since 2014, Site Selection named Omaha – Council Bluffs No. 1 for new and expanded corporate facilities among areas with populations between 200,000 and 1 million in 2017.
“This victory belongs to everyone. We’re cheering thanks to the strength of our six-county Economic Development Partnership. It’s a powerful collaboration – one that compels us to achieve daily excellence in the way we know best: together,” said David G. Brown, president and CEO, the Greater Omaha Chamber.
The award, which was presented Monday at the Greater Omaha Chamber by Adam Bruns, managing editor, Site Selection, included analyses that considered such high-growth projects as:
- Facebook – Construction of a new data center in Papillion
- Costco – Construction of a new poultry processing facility in Fremont resulting in $550M capital investment and 800 new jobs
- Veramaris – A joint venture between Evonik and DSM resulting in a $200M capital investment and 12 new and 130 retained jobs in Blair
- Evolva – Long-term collaboration agreement with Cargill estimated at $60M for the production and commercialization of a new Stevia sweetener and other products at Blair’s biocampus
- Big Ox Energy – A Wisconsin-based byproduct waste recycling provider planning to invest $60 million in a new 70,000-square-foot facility in Blair expected to create at least 45 jobs
- West Broadway Redevelopment – West Broadway Reconstruction project aiming to improve the first impression for those crossing the Missouri River and entering Council Bluffs
- River’s Edge – A Council Bluffs pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use design plan endeavoring to revitalize and invigorate the area by creating a newfound sense of place and community
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh and Fremont Mayor Scott Getzschman offered support and congratulations for the region’s Site Selection achievement at a March 12 press conference, as did Dana Bradford, chairman, 2018 Greater Omaha Chamber board of directors and Dave Rippe, director, Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
Like Omaha – Council Bluffs, the remaining Top Metros for new and expanded corporate facilities in 2017 were repeat winners. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois-Indiana-Wisconsin, was No. 1 among metro areas with populations over 1 million; and Sioux City, Iowa-Nebraska-South Dakota was No. 1 among areas with populations between 50,000 and 200,000.
