Pillen, Stothert announce state funding for industrial park site, multipurpose center in North Omaha

More than $120 million of state funds are heading to Omaha for the creation of a business park site and multipurpose center in the northeast part of the city.

Governor Jim Pillen and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert joined other civic leaders to make the announcement Wednesday.

Nearly $90 million will help pay for land acquisitions and infrastructure development near Eppley Airfield, allowing private businesses to begin construction on the site upon completion.

Omaha Chamber President Heath Mello said the Omaha area currently lacks new industrial sites for businesses.

“If we were to go meet with a company, we can't bring them to Omaha because there are not sites to bring them to,” Mello said. “And if you don't have any product, at the end of the day, you can't bring any new companies in.”

Mello said he is confident the new business park will be worth the investment and help attract businesses and jobs to North Omaha.

“This is ultimately creating some of the best product available for future economic recruitment to the North Omaha community,” he said.

Omaha Economic Development Corporation President Michael Maroney said the business park site is likely to be ready for construction in two and a half to four years.

A $35 million grant was also awarded to the City of Omaha for a multipurpose center in northeast Omaha’s Levi Carter Park.

The facility will be designed to host youth sports events, provide access to computers and high speed internet, and accommodate telemedicine appointments.

Gov. Pillen touted the multipurpose center’s potential for community building in the neighborhood.

“This investment is going to be incredible for kids, it's going to be incredible for families, the Carter Lake area is going to be really, really positively impacted as well as all of northeast Omaha,” Pillen said.