The Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership is growing, with the addition of Advance Southwest Iowa.
The economic development announcement was made Friday in Omaha. Advance Southwest Iowa is a public-private partnership that includes Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, the Iowa West Foundation, and the Western Iowa Development Association. It’s focused on business recruitment, entrepreneurship and innovation, and workforce development.
Governor Dave Heineman says the agreement is good for the region’s economic health.
“This partnership is unique and significant. Today, the state of Nebraska and the state of Iowa are embarking on a new journey of economic opportunity by working together. A strong regional economy benefits both Iowa and Nebraska. We’re both on the move, and we want to do even better in the future.”
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad says the partnership advances the work of both states to bring in new business.
“Both Governor Heineman and I have made economic development a top priority in our states, and we work hard in this every day. But when you can work together in a partnership like this, you can be even more effective.”
The Iowa West Foundation has committed $2.2 million to the effort. Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce president and CEO David Brown says the partnership has been in the works for three years.