Transformation 2025 and North Omaha 2025

A RICH HISTORY. A THRIVING FUTURE.

 

Transformation 2025 and North Omaha 2025

 

It’s time to ACCELERATE the pace of TRANSFORMATION!


Transformation 2025 Vision:
To Unite and Transform Omaha into a GREAT city—thriving and prosperous, in every zip code and neighborhood for every race and ethnicity.  One. Great. Omaha!

The Empowerment Network in collaboration with residents, neighborhood associations, city, county, state and federal elected officials, faith leaders, community-based organizations, social agencies, governmental institutions, health providers, law enforcement, businesses and others have launched an initiative referred to as Transformation 2025/North Omaha 2025.

TRANSFORMATION 2025 SURVEY:  THE NEXT FIVE YEARS

Please take 10-15 minutes to help update the Transformation 2025/North Omaha 2025 Plan.  This is a critical moment and great opportunity to work together collectively to accelerate progress the next five years.

Click here to complete the Transformation 2025 Survey 

The top priorities identified by the community are used to develop strategies, programs, policies and initiatives.  The results are also presented to elected officials, business leaders and candidates for their response and partnership through collaboration, alignment and investments.  We also receive consistent requests from the media to highlight the results of the survey, outcomes and next steps.

 

BACKGROUND

The community-based North Omaha Village Revitalization Plan facilitated by the Empowerment Network and Omaha Economic Development Corporation was unanimously approved by the Omaha City Council in 2011. 

The first phase of the North Omaha 2025 Initiative was then officially launched in 2014-2015.  Building on seven years of collaborative efforts, the transformation initiative challenged leaders and residents to achieve visionary goals and objectives by 2025.

The plan has continued to evolve since that time.  At the half way mark at the end of 2019, 8 of 10 key areas were experiencing measurable progress.  (See below)

The partners realize these objectives, and the goals will only be reached through collaboration, alignment and strategic reallocation of investments. These are the measurable goals that were set in 2015:

    • 5,000 unemployed individuals connected to sustainable living wage jobs and careers
    • 1,000 living wage+ job created in and/or recruited to North Omaha
    • 250 new or expanded businesses
    • 90% graduate high school prepared for college and careers
    • 5,000 new or improved housing units in North Omaha
    • 90% safer and healthier community
    • 2,500 families lifted out of poverty
    • 250,000 tourists and visitors attracted to North Omaha to enjoy the arts, culture, business and entertainment opportunities.

 

PROGRESS towards the GOALS and VISION:

The first phase of the Transformation 2025 plan which was formally launched in 2015 had specific goals, strategies and benchmarks.  Over 4,000 adults and 4,000 youth have provided input on the initial plan. 

Collectively, we were able to make measurable progress for African-Americans and North Omaha residents which has had a positive impact on the entire region.  Hundreds of organizations and thousands of residents have participated in the work to create the momentum and these results:

 

Collective Results 2009-2019 (Before COVID):

    • Reduced unemployment from a high of 20% to a low of 7.5%. 
    • Connected over 2,000 residents to employment.
    • Increased youth employment.  Connected over 6,500 youth to career exploration, jobs and internships.
    • Increased household incomes.  Increased from a low of $34,170 to a high of $39,434.
    • Reduced family poverty.  32% to 22%.
    • Increased high school graduation rates.  64% to a high of 80%.
    • Increase the number with college degrees.  16% to a high of 22%.
    • Increase the number of housing units in North Omaha.  Over 1,000 new mixed-income units developed.
    • Reduced gun violence.  Decreased as much as -74% in North Omaha before COVID-19.
    • Started the process of rebuilding the arts, culture, entertainment and business district at 24th and Lake. 
    • Increased visits to the North Omaha Village Zone area (16th to 36th, Cuming to Pratt).  Launched and hosted events like Christmas in the Village attracting over 5,000 to the district and engaging 100+ businesses and organizations.
    • Served as catalysts to generate hundreds of millions in public/private redevelopment in North Omaha.

(Data Sources:  American Community Survey, Census; UNO Research; Omaha Public Schools; Nebraska Dept. of Education; Omaha Police Department, City of Omaha – Planning Department and others)

 

MOVING FORWARD:  THE NEXT FIVE YEARS…

There’s a lot more work ahead.  Together, we can create more positive change.  Data from the Equity Profile (compiled by PolicyLink and Heartland 2050) projects $4 billion in economic activity will be added to the region when equity is achieved. 

Omaha is already ranked in the top five and top 10 in some key categories.  A collective vision and mission of transforming Omaha into the number one city in the nation for employment, entrepreneurship, education, housing and quality of life has been set!

The vision is for Omaha to be the first city in the country to close long-standing economic, health and social gaps which have been traditionally based on racial and geographic segregation. While there is much work ahead, key trends are finally moving in the right direction. The nation is taking notice. Over 20 cities have expressed an interest in replicating work that is occurring in Omaha.

Help set the priorities for the next five years by updating the Transformation 2025 Plan.

 

 

Reminder:  If you haven’t completed the updated Transformation 2025 survey, please take a few minutes to do so today.  This is a critical moment and a great opportunity to work together collectively to accelerate progress. 

Click here to complete the Transformation 2025 Survey