What a difference a burgeoning economy makes. Though Omaha, Nebraska, may still be regarded as just another quiet Midwestern city, some are realizing business here is anything but sleepy-eyed.
The scarcity of office space, despite a recent boom in construction, speaks to the level of commercial activity in metropolitan Omaha. More service-based than manufacturing-oriented, Omaha keeps humming along with its high-tech businesses, print shops, insurance agencies, biomedical companies and medical claims processing firms.
A low unemployment rate is a mixed blessing here. Though a strong educational system, affordable housing and one of the nation's best ratings for personal safety encourages people to relocate to Omaha, there remains a demand for unskilled labor. Nonetheless, this labor crunch isn't deterring entrepreneurs from taking advantage of the wealth of available small-business loans.
Keep your eyes on the growing homebased and women-owned business and fiber-optic/communications industries in the region. And, if Omaha stays on course, expect further exporting strides--particularly to Japan.
This article was originally published in the October 1997 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: 20 Best Cities For Small Business.
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