The Barometer - Omaha Economic Scorecard

[iamjacobm]

The Chamber released this report comparing Omaha to 9 peers in a number of categories.

https://www.omahachamber.org/wp-content ... educed.pdf

[Silverspoon]

Every time I see Des Moines above Omaha I want to punch myself in the face! They should not be compared to Omaha. They should be in comparison with Bismarck, or Sioux Falls.

[Bob from Omaha]

I think it's a very representative report. The metrics are plausible, the 8 comparable cities are plausible, pretty much all of it. It's a tool, like a tape measure. It isn't meant to show Omaha as perfect but to show SOME of Omaha's relative strengths and weaknesses. When you go to the doctor he/she doesn't say "Well, compared to the fat guy in the waiting room you're in perfect shape." And with regard to Des Moines certainly there are areas where the two aren't peers but using them in the context the study did is well within the realm of reality. For what it's worth both cities are doing well.

[GetUrban]

Every time I see Des Moines above Omaha I want to punch myself in the face! They should not be compared to Omaha. They should be in comparison with Bismarck, or Sioux Falls.

I would be more worried if the Chamber didn't recognize Des Moines as a competitor. They may be closer to Lincoln in size than Omaha, but they also are influenced and inspired by MPLS and even Chicago, from an architectural perspective, at least.

[Nazzyone]

Every time I see Des Moines above Omaha I want to punch myself in the face! They should not be compared to Omaha. They should be in comparison with Bismarck, or Sioux Falls.

No, the metropolitan area of Des Moines has far more in common with Omaha than Bismarck and Sioux Falls.

[Nazzyone]

Every time I see Des Moines above Omaha I want to punch myself in the face! They should not be compared to Omaha. They should be in comparison with Bismarck, or Sioux Falls.

I would be more worried if the Chamber didn't recognize Des Moines as a competitor. They may be closer to Lincoln in size than Omaha, but they also are influenced and inspired by MPLS and even Chicago, from an architectural perspective, at least.

I would say from a metropolitan stand point Des Moines has no more in common with Lincoln than it does with Omaha. Their metropolitan size is approximately 300,000 more than Lincoln and approximately 300,000 less than Omaha. That said, the Des Moines area has far more going for it than Lincoln does, at least from what I have seen.

[Silverspoon]

Every time I see Des Moines above Omaha I want to punch myself in the face! They should not be compared to Omaha. They should be in comparison with Bismarck, or Sioux Falls.

but they also are influenced and inspired by MPLS and even Chicago, from an architectural perspective, at least.

Come on now...

They only chose Des Moines because they are close by and everyone in the country outside of the northern plains think of Nebraska and Iowa as the same state.

[Bob from Omaha]

Every time I see Des Moines above Omaha I want to punch myself in the face! They should not be compared to Omaha. They should be in comparison with Bismarck, or Sioux Falls.

but they also are influenced and inspired by MPLS and even Chicago, from an architectural perspective, at least.

Come on now...

They only chose Des Moines because they are close by and everyone in the country outside of the northern plains think of Nebraska and Iowa as the same state.

Come on now...

This isn't some EOmahaforums.com member with an ax to grind about Des Moines. Des Moines, Kansas City and Oklahoma City are fine examples of competitors. The Peers chosen are Louisville, Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs...again, good examples. Austin, Raleigh and Nashville also are worthy of being called aspirational cities.

The author is the director of the Bureau of Business Research at UNL. Do you really think he picked Des Moines because they are close by and etc.? Seriously?

By the way, Lincoln's metro is over 325,000. Des Moines' is over 645,000. The thing about Des Moines is, and I can't find it, they have quite a large 1 hour ring. I'm sure one of our Des Moines friends can provide the number.

In no way should Des Moines be lumped in with Bismark or Sioux Falls. I have zero problems considering Des Moines a competitor.

The only failing about Des Moines is that they weren't smart enough to build four arenas and two ball parks. Silly them...

[Omaha Cowboy]

Friends-

I've been reading this report every year the Chamber has generated it. I like it. And I have NO issues, at all, with the cities listed as peers, competitors or aspirational..

I believe the Chamber crafts a great report every year which shows Omaha's strengths vs 9 other thriving metros..and where Omaha can improve.. using the designed measurable metrics..

What I really need, is a print of that skyline photo on page 1. That is awesome ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[BRoss]

The inferiority complex towards DSM needs to stop. While I personally think Omaha is way better, they certainly hit well above their belt and deserve to be seen as a competitor. I mean in terms of skyline, they have so much more than we do.

And don't forget, some of those on UrbanDSM like to come here to see what's going on in our city just like some of us go there to do the same. Let's not show hostility towards them.

[ita]

New 2019 Barometer report was released. Nothing earth shattering, but we are losing ground on faster growing metros. Some things can't be helped like weather and lack of mountains, but there is a lot of room for improvement to boost the economic health of our Metro.

https://www.omahachamber.org/wp-content ... r-2019.pdf

One thing that stuck out to me is that the cities we are losing ground to are state capitols. Actually, six of the nine comparison cities are capitols of their respective states. There have been comments concerning economic growth in this forum concerning the additional boost a metro gets by being state capitol. I think this report shows that there is some truth there. Nashville, Austin, SLC and Raleigh are all examples.

[Doctor Fate]

Omaha was very comparable to SLC in almost all categories, including economic growth and innovation. Those are two areas I see SLC praised for, but often Omaha is not. Interesting.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Omaha was very comparable to SLC in almost all categories, including economic growth and innovation. Those are two areas I see SLC praised for, but often Omaha is not. Interesting.

That’s a good observation. Salt Lake is mostly looked upon as a desirable, almost “Austin like” place to relocate and is often praised for things that here in Omaha may be very comparable..But no one really looks at Omaha in that same sort of light..Even locally here, we still suffer from a gloom and doom inferiority complex..

But that’s another topic/discussion for another time...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ita]

Here is the Chamber's Barometer report for 2020.

https://www.omahachamber.org/wp-content ... eb_Fnl.pdf

It's been another year, but the same old theme; we have consistent growth and remain competitive among the comparison cities, but we are being outpaced by faster improving metros like Austin, Nashville, and SLC. The most surprising factor was the continued decline in our relative GDP (the other was climate; how are we better than Des Moines, what can possibly make them worse?). Aside from that, I think it is interesting to note that the report specifically says that between 2016 and 2020, we have actually dropped down a spot in our ranking.

[Omaha Cowboy]

2020 pretty much seems like a pandemic wash to me..

I’m not too concerned with a drop in ranking from #5 to #6 over this last year..

Once we get to the other side of COVID-19, that’s when I believe the Omaha metro will shine and it’s strength show through..One thing recent history Has taught us, is that Omaha is a great rebound metro and should come through this latest troubled US time stronger than ever...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ita]

2020 pretty much seems like a pandemic wash to me..

I’m not too concerned with a drop in ranking from #5 to #6 over this last year..

Once we get to the other side of COVID-19, that’s when I believe the Omaha metro will shine and it’s strength show through..One thing recent history Has taught us, is that Omaha is a great rebound metro and should come through this latest troubled US time stronger than ever...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

The Chamber actually notes that the data for the 2020 report was gathered pre-pandemic at the end of 2019. I agree with our assessment, though; I think we could fare better than other cities in terms of recovering economically, but under the right leadership and direction.

[Omaha Cowboy]

2020 pretty much seems like a pandemic wash to me..

I’m not too concerned with a drop in ranking from #5 to #6 over this last year..

Once we get to the other side of COVID-19, that’s when I believe the Omaha metro will shine and it’s strength show through..One thing recent history Has taught us, is that Omaha is a great rebound metro and should come through this latest troubled US time stronger than ever...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

The Chamber actually notes that the data for the 2020 report was gathered pre-pandemic at the end of 2019. I agree with our assessment, though; I think we could fare better than other cities in terms of recovering economically, but under the right leadership and direction.

That’s why I believe our next mayoral vote this Spring will be very important..

These Annual Chamber reports are an excellent source of info..and I enjoy reading them.. But they’re not the gospel by any stretch..

What I’ll continue to be more interested in, and feel is even more important data as an overall metro health indicator, is the next official US Census population/breakdown numbers for 2020..which will be available in April/2021...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ita]

2020 pretty much seems like a pandemic wash to me..

I’m not too concerned with a drop in ranking from #5 to #6 over this last year..

Once we get to the other side of COVID-19, that’s when I believe the Omaha metro will shine and it’s strength show through..One thing recent history Has taught us, is that Omaha is a great rebound metro and should come through this latest troubled US time stronger than ever...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

The Chamber actually notes that the data for the 2020 report was gathered pre-pandemic at the end of 2019. I agree with our assessment, though; I think we could fare better than other cities in terms of recovering economically, but under the right leadership and direction.

That’s why I believe our next mayoral vote this Spring will be very important..

These Annual Chamber reports are an excellent source of info..and I enjoy reading them.. But they’re not the gospel by any stretch..

What I’ll continue to be more interested in, and feel is even more important data as an overall metro health indicator, is the next official US Census population/breakdown numbers for 2020..which will be available in April/2021...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

You're right in that the Barometer is limited. There are finer data points that we need to examine to determine the health of the city.

The results of the census will be interesting. I am especially interested in urban versus suburban growth and downtown population numbers. Especially the latter as it could inform certain investments, like a grocery store or office relocations.

[Omaha Cowboy]

2020 pretty much seems like a pandemic wash to me..

I’m not too concerned with a drop in ranking from #5 to #6 over this last year..

Once we get to the other side of COVID-19, that’s when I believe the Omaha metro will shine and it’s strength show through..One thing recent history Has taught us, is that Omaha is a great rebound metro and should come through this latest troubled US time stronger than ever...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

The Chamber actually notes that the data for the 2020 report was gathered pre-pandemic at the end of 2019. I agree with our assessment, though; I think we could fare better than other cities in terms of recovering economically, but under the right leadership and direction.

That’s why I believe our next mayoral vote this Spring will be very important..

These Annual Chamber reports are an excellent source of info..and I enjoy reading them.. But they’re not the gospel by any stretch..

What I’ll continue to be more interested in, and feel is even more important data as an overall metro health indicator, is the next official US Census population/breakdown numbers for 2020..which will be available in April/2021...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

You're right in that the Barometer is limited. There are finer data points that we need to examine to determine the health of the city.

The results of the census will be interesting. I am especially interested in urban versus suburban growth and downtown population numbers. Especially the latter as it could inform certain investments, like a grocery store or office relocations.

Absolutely agree..

I think the MSA/CSA yearly estimates have been low-balling Omaha.. this has proven true once we saw numbers in 2 of the last 3 official US Census counts.. If people stayed true and got counted, I think we’ll see even more diversity in Omaha’s city/MSA/CSA figures come the official 2020 count...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ita]

Here is the Chamber's 2021 Barometer:

2021 Barometer

[Omaha Cowboy]

Same ranking in 2021 compared to 2020..

Nothing really different or that stands out..

What I do think, is when the 2022 report comes out, in a true post Covid Pandemic year, we might very well see dynamics change..Especially as it relates to wages paid and job growth..

The Chamber probably didn’t need to put out separate reports for last year, then another one for 2021. It would have been a better look and measurable to my eye, had they skipped a 2021 report and gave a more comprehensive and interesting 2022 post Pandemic read..

But that’s me…

Ciao..LiO…Peace