Omaha and Lincoln lagging in Job Growth

[Gobears27]

The Aksarben foundation released a report comparing job growth in Omaha and Lincoln with neighboring cities. This report found that the Omaha area has significantly slower job growth compared with neighboring cities. Why do you think this is, and what can be done?

https://aksarben.org/aksarben-data-report/

[Stan]

Nebraska isn't attracting many new major employers here. An economy that is on shaky ground, higher taxes, increasing cost of living, low unemployment and still the problem of brain drain leading to younger educated people moving away doesn't instill a lot of confidence for businesses to develop a market here.

[Greg S]

Was traveling last week when this came out. I know it's not good news (I was really surprised by it) but thought there would be a discussion on it:

In the past five years, Omaha’s annual average job growth rate has been a fraction of 1%. Metro Des Moines is booming in comparison, with a growth rate more than three times Omaha’s, according to a World-Herald analysis of federal employment data.

What’s more, Kansas City is growing jobs more than twice as fast; Denver almost four times faster; Oklahoma City more than four times faster; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, more than five times faster.

https://omaha.com/news/local/business/a ... 9afdf.html

[skinzfan23]

Definitely not good news, but the OWH is not someone I want doing investigative journalism. They can't take photos or write in complete sentences, so they lose all credibility for me, although I know the initial findings weren't done by them and need to be talked about and a plan derived to help deal with the issue.

[skinzfan23]

I will add this, I don't know where all the economic growth and housing and apt numbers are coming from b/c they tell a completely different story.

[CBJason]

That was my question as well, how can Omaha be doing better in housing statistics but not this.

[thenewguy]

didn't Des Moines take a big hit starting around covid time? I remember they had a lot of jobs leaving the central core. It's easy to look like your growth is exploding when you take a sizeable dip. I don't recall Omaha being as impacted in job losses, so conversely the job growth isn't an artificial number.

[Linkin5]

didn't Des Moines take a big hit starting around covid time? I remember they had a lot of jobs leaving the central core. It's easy to look like your growth is exploding when you take a sizeable dip. I don't recall Omaha being as impacted in job losses, so conversely the job growth isn't an artificial number.

According to the employment numbers Des Moines did take a much bigger hit than Omaha during Covid, but overall they have still added more jobs from 2019 to now.

[Greg S]

Definitely not good news, but the OWH is not someone I want doing investigative journalism. They can't take photos or write in complete sentences, so they lose all credibility for me, although I know the initial findings weren't done by them and need to be talked about and a plan derived to help deal with the issue.

To be fair on this one, this wasn't really on the OWH. It's been reported by others as well. I didn't really see anyone else come up with different findings.

[skinzfan23]

Yes, I know the OWH didn't release the findings, but they tried to dig up some other stuff, which years ago, they might have been ok at, but that is not the case any longer. They report on news that other outlets, including eomaha have reported days earlier.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Yes, I know the OWH didn't release the findings, but they tried to dig up some other stuff, which years ago, they might have been ok at, but that is not the case any longer. They report on news that other outlets, including eomaha have reported days earlier.

The eye test belies this “report”..

Not really confident it’s accurate at all. Omaha is doing fine. These things are cyclical anyway…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Louie]

I’m sick of hearing about the ‘eye test’. You’re literally just saying you don’t believe in statistics.

[nebugeater]

I’m sick of hearing about the ‘eye test’. You’re literally just saying you don’t believe in statistics.

If you believe everything that is being reported or backed by so-called statistics, you are walking around with blinders on. Sure many are good information but to blindly believe is nieve

[Omaha Cowboy]

I’m sick of hearing about the ‘eye test’. You’re literally just saying you don’t believe in statistics.

If you believe everything that is being reported or backed by so-called statistics, you are walking around with blinders on. Sure many are good information but to blindly believe is nieve

Correct…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Garrett]

Omaha ‘economic scorecard’ sounds alarm, ranks Nebraska’s largest metro 18th among 23 peers

Another less than ideal report for Omaha, this time from the Great Omaha Chamber and UNL's Bureau of Business Research

[Louie]

Omaha ‘economic scorecard’ sounds alarm, ranks Nebraska’s largest metro 18th among 23 peers

Another less than ideal report for Omaha, this time from the Great Omaha Chamber and UNL's Bureau of Business Research

Nah that cant be. The eye test says everything is fine.

[Doctor Fate]

Omaha ‘economic scorecard’ sounds alarm, ranks Nebraska’s largest metro 18th among 23 peers

Another less than ideal report for Omaha, this time from the Great Omaha Chamber and UNL's Bureau of Business Research

Nah that cant be. The eye test says everything is fine.

The only way that so-called statistics can be true is if they confirm what you already believe….

[legato9]

Curious about the eye test, too.

How does that work? Walk into 3000 businesses every year, do a headcount, and compare them to the prior year?

Is there a large Excel sheet involved, or can you remember how many people you saw at each one?

What assumptions do you make about how many people were in the bathroom while you were peeking into offices?

Do these businesses always give you a visitor pass and complete access?

Do you have help, or are you able to visit thousands of businesses yourself?

Fascinating!

[Greg S]

Curious about the eye test, too.

How does that work? Walk into 3000 businesses every year, do a headcount, and compare them to the prior year?

Is there a large Excel sheet involved, or can you remember how many people you saw at each one?

What assumptions do you make about how many people were in the bathroom while you were peeking into offices?

Do these businesses always give you a visitor pass and complete access?

Do you have help, or are you able to visit thousands of businesses yourself?

Fascinating!

I would assume it's more based on payroll taxes and businesses reporting their employment numbers to the state. I'm in HR and Recruiting and we are always submitting total employment, plus or minus to the state.

[Big E]

I would assume it's more based on payroll taxes and businesses reporting their employment numbers to the state. I'm in HR and Recruiting and we are always submitting total employment, plus or minus to the state.

Unemployment insurance info and third party payroll services fill in the majority of the info involved here, I believe.

[Greg S]

I would assume it's more based on payroll taxes and businesses reporting their employment numbers to the state. I'm in HR and Recruiting and we are always submitting total employment, plus or minus to the state.

Unemployment insurance info and third party payroll services fill in the majority of the info involved here, I believe.

That would make sense.

[guy4omaha]

About all of the above: I can't tell ya. I'm all unknowing.

[Nebraska>Iowa]

How did the discussion at Creighton go today about lagging job growth in Lincoln/Omaha areas?

Very concerning, but also cannot access the article on Omaha.com

[Nebraska>Iowa]

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/08 ... g-job-lag/

Does anyone have thoughts on this? This subject is directly related to job growth or lack thereof.

Sort of alarming and wonder if any real solutions will come from state and city leaders.

[Garrett]

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/08 ... g-job-lag/

Does anyone have thoughts on this? This subject is directly related to job growth or lack thereof.

Sort of alarming and wonder if any real solutions will come from state and city leaders.

Unfortunately, the current state government is more focused on replicating the failed Kansas Experiment and taking a torpedo to what was once a very healthy State Budget in favor of tax breaks for the wealthy as opposed to targeted relief for people who need it or investments that would have been a slam dunk mere years ago.

[windsor]

Unfortunately Jim Pillen is a terrible leader and cares nothing about the Omaha metro area. Omaha may as well be part of Iowa has he is concerned. Nebraska really needs to do better in next year's election.

[Nebraska>Iowa]

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/08 ... g-job-lag/

Does anyone have thoughts on this? This subject is directly related to job growth or lack thereof.

Sort of alarming and wonder if any real solutions will come from state and city leaders.

Unfortunately, the current state government is more focused on replicating the failed Kansas Experiment and taking a torpedo to what was once a very healthy State Budget in favor of tax breaks for the wealthy as opposed to targeted relief for people who need it or investments that would have been a slam dunk mere years ago.

That's what concerns me. And yes, as another poster pointed out...Pillen is NOT a leader.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Oh dear gosh..Run for the hills! Omaha is a failing metro. LOL..

The spirit and intent of this initiative I am 100% on board with..

The chicken little proclamations are absolutely silly..

Folks can believe what they want, but Omaha is doing just fine, will continue to I do so and can and will get even better.. Don’t take the cheese folks…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Louie]

The chicken little proclamations are absolutely silly..

As in...the statistics? Look, I can understand being annoyed with pessimism for the sake of pessimism, but blindly ignoring things like this is a disservice to people trying to improve the metro. And I don't want to hear about he eye test again. My eyes are seeing lagging job growth and educated young professionals leaving the city at a rate that is worthy of a serious discussion and actionable measures.

[Renovator2559]

Every city that is not from a high population state, experience brain drain. This will never change.

As for the jobs, the state government has to do a better job at emphasizing Omaha's strengths not just agriculture.

Gov Pillen thinks that Nebraska is just an agricultural state, that mindset has to change.

[nativeomahan]

Omaha is like the successful adult child who is forced to financially support his aging parent, who cannot fend for themselves any longer. What’s more, their parent shows very little appreciation for all the financial help their offspring is providing.

[Omaha Cowboy]

The chicken little proclamations are absolutely silly..

As in...the statistics? Look, I can understand being annoyed with pessimism for the sake of pessimism, but blindly ignoring things like this is a disservice to people trying to improve the metro. And I don't want to hear about he eye test again. My eyes are seeing lagging job growth and educated young professionals leaving the city at a rate that is worthy of a serious discussion and actionable measures.

LOL. If you don’t like it, kindly get over it because I’ll continue to reference it (the eye test) whenever I feel necessary..

As to your statement that I’m “blindly ignoring things” like this, I’m not. To my eye, Omaha is growing and is adding jobs, and as I stated in my last post here, which you completely glossed over, I am in support of the spirit and intent of this initiative 100%. I’m simply not falling for the sky is falling, chicken little rhetoric. You see it one way. I see it another..

Leave it at that…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[nebugeater]

Omaha is like the successful adult child who is forced to financially support his aging parent, who cannot fend for themselves any longer. What’s more, their parent shows very little appreciation for all the financial help their offspring is providing.

Expand on that. IT makes no sense as I read it.

[riceweb]

Omaha's doing fine. Nothing huge ever happens here.

Would have been nice to have been able to capture some additional job growth that went to nearby places like Sioux Falls or NW Arkansas after COVID, but I have feeling some people on this board would have not been a fan of "those" people moving here.

[Nebraska>Iowa]

The chicken little proclamations are absolutely silly..

As in...the statistics? Look, I can understand being annoyed with pessimism for the sake of pessimism, but blindly ignoring things like this is a disservice to people trying to improve the metro. And I don't want to hear about he eye test again. My eyes are seeing lagging job growth and educated young professionals leaving the city at a rate that is worthy of a serious discussion and actionable measures.

LOL. If you don’t like it, kindly get over it because I’ll continue to reference it (the eye test) whenever I feel necessary..

As to your statement that I’m “blindly ignoring things” like this, I’m not. To my eye, Omaha is growing and is adding jobs, and as I stated in my last post here, which you completely glossed over, I am in support of the spirit and intent of this initiative 100%. I’m simply not falling for the sky is falling, chicken little rhetoric. You see it one way. I see it another..

Leave it at that…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

As you said, two things can be true at once. Lack of job growth is a valid item that should be monitored by the community and state. People will need to be diligent to understand political candidates' thoughts on investment, job and business growth within both metros.

[Nebraska>Iowa]

The chicken little proclamations are absolutely silly..

As in...the statistics? Look, I can understand being annoyed with pessimism for the sake of pessimism, but blindly ignoring things like this is a disservice to people trying to improve the metro. And I don't want to hear about he eye test again. My eyes are seeing lagging job growth and educated young professionals leaving the city at a rate that is worthy of a serious discussion and actionable measures.

Good measured post.

[riceweb]

What is it that everyone here wants? Just more tech or otherwise high-paying jobs? The article already mentions we've had positive international immigration, so presumably those are not the type of jobs people want? And do we want to be paying remote workers like Tulsa? Why would we pay high-income people even more money to move here? I don't think we're that desperate for job growth that we need such direct incentives?

Are people here basically asking for more amenities like streetcars, etc.? Because when I look at the list of cities experiencing growth in that map that the Examiner used: people are largely moving to extremely suburban cities in the South. We don't have the weather to attract people, but beyond the weather, it looks like people are probably not moving to Dallas based on transit access in one of the freeway-heavy cities in the country? In a state that passed what many here would consider regressive reproductive policies?

I think we're doing pretty alright. We're not a state that jumps too heavily on any political trend, we have a high quality of life, and I'm not sure we want 200,000 people showing up and all moving to the outer suburbs.

[Omaha Cowboy]

What is it that everyone here wants? Just more tech or otherwise high-paying jobs? The article already mentions we've had positive international immigration, so presumably those are not the type of jobs people want? And do we want to be paying remote workers like Tulsa? Why would we pay high-income people even more money to move here? I don't think we're that desperate for job growth that we need such direct incentives?

Are people here basically asking for more amenities like streetcars, etc.? Because when I look at the list of cities experiencing growth in that map that the Examiner used: people are largely moving to extremely suburban cities in the South. We don't have the weather to attract people, but beyond the weather, it looks like people are probably not moving to Dallas based on transit access in one of the freeway-heavy cities in the country? In a state that passed what many here would consider regressive reproductive policies?

I think we're doing pretty alright. We're not a state that jumps too heavily on any political trend, we have a high quality of life, and I'm not sure we want 200,000 people showing up and all moving to the outer suburbs.

Agreed..

Omaha is doing fine. Can it do better? Sure..and we should continue to strive to be a better more attractive metro. Weather is one area we can’t control..and neither can any other city in the central and northern plains/midwest..

Omaha has great attractions and has a terrific philanthropic community..Our downtown is just as, if not more appealing than any peer metro..jobs are here and folks are attracted to opportunity..folks who have never visited Omaha are typically blown away by it. The key is getting prospective job candidates here for a visit..

That all said, resting on laurels is never a good idea and that is where I agree with this initiative..

What I don’t agree with, is the sky is falling/run for the hills rhetoric. In my experience, the great times have their warts, and “bad times” are not actually as bad as they seem (or are made out to be)…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[riceweb]

That's where I'm at, too. I really like Omaha, and I'm happy with it being a bit of a hidden gem that suits me and my family really well.

[remline]

Weather is one area we can’t control..

I thought that was why we went to the trouble of installing the Omadome?