OMAHA — Critical that Nebraska has “stepped back” from its award-winning focus on economic development, Omaha area business leaders have launched an offensive plan to regain a competitive edge.

The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce today released a 24-page “Omaha Competes” report that urges major updates to the state’s key business incentive program and outlines strategies to help reverse what it says is a trend pushing quality jobs and talent elsewhere. “Nebraska is at a crucial moment in its approach to economic development,” begins the report that included participation from the Omaha Mayor’s Office, Omaha Public Power District and numerous corporations.

The recommendations will be used to form legislative and policy proposals and guide the chamber’s outreach and programming over the next few years, said Heath Mello, president and CEO of the chamber, which represents corporate and business interests in the state’s largest metro area.

Authors describe state business attraction efforts as having retreated since hitting a “high water mark” from about 2016 to 2019. That period, which the report described as one of “better jobs, stronger communities and more robust budget revenue,” was reflected in a three-year streak of winning Site Selection Magazine’s “Governor’s Cup.”

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