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Indicators show growth in Omaha area economy

By Katie Knapp

Omaha, NE – Newly released economic indicators show job growth in the Omaha metro area remains strong despite national troubles.

The Greater Omaha Indicators are published by the Greater Omaha Economic Development partnership. The Indicators measure job growth, housing permits, and the unemployment rate. April's report shows Omaha's unemployment rate is holding at three point four percent.

Scott Strain of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership says the metro area's continued economic growth can be credited to the cost of doing business in Nebraska. He says the area has a competitive advantage in the size of its educated workforce, energy, and office rentals.

Strain acknowledges that the housing crisis has marginally impacted the Omaha area economy. But he says the housing market has started to show signs of improvement over the past few months.