Chamber’s consensus meeting highlights arena, roads, jobs.

For many years, Lincoln was fragmented when it came to growth, new economic opportunities and jobs.

The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce has taken the lead in bringing entities together to work toward a common goal of creating a better Lincoln.  It is our belief that Lincoln residents will continue to enjoy our tremendous quality of life and have economic opportunity through the expansion of quality jobs and private sector investment.  There are a number of organizations that feel the same.

Seven years ago, the Chamber of Commerce held its first “Community Consensus” meeting.  This meeting brought in members and partners from many facets of the community to discuss common goals, particularly as they related to our State Opportunities Agenda.  The Chamber has been aggressive in pursuing growth initiatives at the Nebraska Unicameral and it has paid dividends with the passage of Nebraska Advantage, additional road funding for Lincoln, programs encouraging private sector R&D and tax cuts for all Nebraska businesses and residents.

We have been more successful recently because of alliances we have built through efforts such as “Community Consensus”.

This year’s meeting, chaired by Tonn Ostergard, the Chamber’s 2010 Public Policy Chairman, produced predictable results but the twist was a local issue (the West Haymarket Arena Development) was deemed to be the No. 1 consensus issue for 2010. As expected, the majority of discussion at the meeting centered on the proposed West Haymarket development and arena.  As I’ve stated publically (including in this publication) many times, the time is now for the construction of a new arena and the Chamber is very supportive of the effort to pass the required vote in May.

Infrastructure and roads were listed as a top priority of the community. This issue has been a Chamber priority for over a decade and a priority of the community since the consensus meetings started.  Everyone recognizes we have a significant issue with funding infrastructure (primarily roads) both locally and statewide.  It is incumbent on all of us in leadership positions in the community to continue the conversation, but more importantly begin to identify specific measures that can help fill the gap that is growing annually between needs and availability of funding.

Finally, but certainly not least important, jobs continues to be on the mind of Lincoln citizens from every walk of life.

The current state of the economy has left a lot of uncertainty with local, national and international companies of every size.  Through the Partnership for Economic Development, the Chamber calls on over 100 local area employers annually to provide services necessary to allow those businesses to grow.

It is encouraging to see some companies begin to hire again.  Also encouraging are the investments the community and state are making into Antelope Valley and Innovation Campus.

We were fortunate to hear from Chancellor Harvey Perlman and Regent Tim Clare recently about the masterplan for Innovation Campus.  The plan gives the University and the community a road map to success to follow similar to other successful research campuses across the U.S.  We pledge to work hand-in-hand with University officials to make the park a crowning achievement of that great institution.

We look forward to the upcoming session as an opportunity to once again, bring the opportunity for growth and prosperity to Lincoln business which will promote a higher standard of living for all Lincoln residents.

The Chamber’s mission is to improve the lives of Lincoln residents by providing
increased economic opportunity and can only be accomplished together.  Networking
opportunities, business advocacy, and creating economic viability are critical to
our success.  We encourage you to become a member and help us achieve these goals
for Lincoln.  For more information, please contact either Paul at 402-436-2350 or
visit us online at http://www.lcoc.com/