Omaha Mayor John Ewing shared several ongoing city initiatives at a town hall held Monday evening. The wide ranging conversation touched on economic development, young professionals and public safety.
“When you have economic development, when you have a safe city, you can create new opportunities,” Ewing said to the attendees inside The Venue at the Highlander, a mixed-use development in North Omaha.
“We have some examples that we will be announcing in the near future, but all of you know that we worked diligently to get LB1165 passed,” Ewing said. “That will potentially add 2,000 high-paying jobs to the city of Omaha.”
LB1165, known as the Grow the Good Life Act, was described by the Omaha Chamber as one of the most significant economic development packages in recent years. It’s aimed at strengthening Nebraska’s ability to compete for jobs, talent and investment.
The legislation adds to the state’s development tools by increasing performance-based incentives, strengthening employer retention and recruitment strategies and expanding childcare support.
Ewing also spoke to the city’s low crime rate. At 10 homicides, Omaha has seen the lowest number of homicide deaths since 1990.
“We are on the verge of having the lowest crime rate in 65 years,” Ewing said.
The mayor and city department directors also took questions from those in attendance.
The town hall was one of several scheduled across Omaha over the next two weeks. The next one is planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Subby Anzaldo Columbus Park Community Center on South 24th Street.
