5 Growing Industries in Omaha, NE
Omaha, NE, has a strong economy that is bolstered by its diverse industries, and many of them continue to see growth. The financial services, health care and med tech, agribusiness, logistics, and military and defense sectors are filled with various sized employers that are generating a positive impact in this region and beyond.
“We have businesses with a really strong presence here, and we have people who are working hard,” says Alec Gorynski, senior vice president of economic development for the Greater Omaha Chamber. “Overall, we have a very diverse economy. While our nation can see some big swings in the economy, we’ve remained steady.”
Ahead, learn more about the growing industries that are fueling Omaha, NE’s, diverse economy.
In This Article
1. Financial Services
The financial services industry in Omaha, NE, employs over 50,000 people directly and supports another 37,000 jobs. Out of a labor force of 530,000, this industry makes up a large piece of the pie.
“It’s a pretty significant player in the overall economy,” Gorynski says. “Obviously, banking and insurance dominate that. We’re home to a number of national insurance headquarters.”
Key players in this industry include health insurance company Aetna, secure payment solutions provider Eckoh, and financial technology company PayPal.
2. Health Care & Med Tech
This sector directly employs 45,000 and provides another 33,000 support jobs, accounting for approximately $2 billion in payroll going into the region each year.
“You want to lean on the assets and the strengths that you have in a community in order to grow that economy, whether it’s by starting new companies, growing existing companies or helping recruit new companies to the region,” Gorynski says. “One of the major strengths that we have is the University of Nebraska Medical Center, an internationally known health care and research provider.”
The University of Nebraska Medical Center recently announced the EDGE District, which will serve as a dynamic hub for health-focused scientific discovery, entrepreneurship and commercialization.
“In addition to being strong in medicine and health care overall, we have a number of companies that are doing some innovative things, like biotechnology company Streck Labs, which works with blood testing,” Gorynski says. “We hope to leverage this powerful research institution to contribute to our economy. We really hope to be the home of medical technology.”
Another major player in this industry is Midwest Laboratories, an ISO 17025 and National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP)-accredited lab that is headquartered in Omaha and operates a 14-building campus.
3. Agribusiness
“It’s really important for us to pay respect to the significant role agriculture plays in our overall state economy, and Omaha is a proud player in that agricultural economy,” Gorynski says. “What’s really cool about Omaha, though, is we play a complementary role to what happens throughout the rest of our state in a couple of ways.”
A significant amount of food processing takes place in the region through Conagra Foods, Omaha Steaks and other key players. In addition, there’s a manufacturing presence to support agriculture, including biomanufacturing and bioprocessing.
A leader in that arena, Cargill has a biotechnology campus in Blair that grinds more than 300,000 bushels of corn per day to produce sweeteners, livestock feed, gluten meal, fuel-grade ethanol and crude corn oil.
“The ag sector is at the height of innovation, from bio-based replacements to regenerative agriculture. We are continually seeking solutions to prepare for what the future may have in store,” says Matt Gutzmann, facility manager at the Cargill Blair campus. “Cargill is partnering with farmers and customers to reimagine what’s possible for food and agriculture. We are continuously working toward nourishing people for a more food-secure world.”
4. Logistics
With two major interstates running right through the center of the region – I-80 going east and west and I-29 going north and south – logistics continues to remain steady among Omaha, NE’s industries.
In addition, three different railroads service the area, and Eppley Airfield, which is the largest airport in the state, is undergoing a significant modernization and expansion project that will add international service.
“We have a lot of the core infrastructure needed to be a major logistics hub,” Gorynski says. “And because of that, we have the No. 1 of the top 10 trucking companies in the United States headquartered here – Werner Enterprises. That’s just one of dozens of trucking and logistics companies that are headquartered here.”
5. Military and Defense
The military and defense sector is among Omaha, NE’s, thriving industries, thanks to Offutt Air Force Base and U.S. Strategic Command.
“That lends itself to a strong military defense cluster here in the region, and one that we envision growing,” Gorynski says.
It’s recently been announced that a new defense technology campus, which will be home to defense technology and cybersecurity companies that predominantly contract with the military, will be located near Offutt Air Force Base.
“Because of the proximity of this major military presence in our region, we’re able to leverage that and grow our economy and, of course, participate in the defense of our country, which is extremely patriotic and meaningful to us,” Gorynski says.
The military presence also creates a labor shed for the region, with military spouses and retired military veterans working in the region.
This article was sponsored by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.