Community and Economic Development

Return-on-Investment Analysis for Nebraska Investment Finance Authority

2-6-26 | Housing shapes how people live, work, and engage in their communities, yet the returns on housing investments are not always clearly measured. In collaboration with the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA), UNO CPAR conducted a return-on-investment analysis to assess how housing investments support key state priorities. The NIFA ROI report highlights how strategic housing investments can drive population growth, strengthen workforce capacity, and support long-term economic growth in Nebraska.

2025 Economic Impact of Nonprofits in Nebraska Report Completed for Nonprofit Association of the Midlands

1-28-26 | UNO CPAR conducted an analysis of the economic force of nonprofits in Nebraska for the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands. The report uses a four-part framework to explore the ways nonprofit activity generates lasting and widespread economic value. Highlights include nonprofit employment, nonprofit contributions to state revenue, and community well-being. NAM and its members will use the report for policy influence, grant writing, and public education. Read the economic impact report.

Media Mention:

• Grow Omaha - Report Shows Nebraska Nonprofits Generate $23.1 Billion Annually

Council Bluffs Community Survey Designed to Understand the Opportunities and Challenges Facing the Area

11-20-25 | UNO CPAR collaborated with the Iowa West Foundation, the Council Bluffs Chamber, and the City of Council Bluffs to examine Census data for the region and design a survey to ask residents why they leave, why they stay, and how the community can build on its strengths to retain and attract people, particularly young professionals who are vital to the region’s future. View the survey results and see demographics and workforce data and economy and housing data.

Report Provides Evidence that Tax Increment Financing Remains a Pivotal Rool for Nebraska’s Continued Economic Development and Community Revitalization

2-28-25 | UNO CPAR collaborated with the Greater Omaha Chamber to produce a report examining the requirements, activities, and outcomes of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects in Nebraska. TIF is a critical economic development tool that fosters growth and revitalization by leveraging future property tax revenue to fund redevelopment efforts.

Media Mentions:

• First Alert 6 - Commissioned TIF study gives Omaha projects high marks
• Nebraska Examiner - State public incentive and streetcar project fire up Omaha mayoral race
• Omaha World Herald - Omaha's use of TIF complies with state law, says analysis commissioned by Mayor Jean Stothert

Greater Omaha Chamber Survey Reveals 88% of Respondents are Satisfied with Overall Quality of Life in Omaha

9-30-24 | UNO CPAR collaborated with the Young Professionals Council and CODE (Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity, and Equity) of the Greater Omaha Chamber to conduct a survey to explore the quality of life and workplace culture in the Greater Omaha region. The focus of the survey derived from previous survey efforts which identified the importance of job opportunities and growth to young professionals’ decisions to move away from the Greater Omaha region. View highlights in the summary and results from all questions in the report, as well as comparisons by age, gender, sexual orientation, and race and ethnicity.

Media Mentions:

• Omaha World Herald - More transit, lower taxes and housing costs needed to prevent 'brain drain' in Omaha
• KMTV 3 News Now - Young Professionals Survey: 88% are satisfied with overall quality of life in Omaha area
• KETV NewsWatch 7 - 'What they're wanting, what they're needing': The findings from a new survey that looks at young professionals in the metro

6 Regions, One Nebraska Statewide Initiative

5-15-24 | At the request of statewide partners — the Governor of Nebraska, the Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, and the President of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry — UNO CPAR was asked to compile data from numerous data contributors and analyze the data to provide actionable insights for regional economic and community development. Visit the 6 Regions, One Nebraska webpage to read the data briefs, presentations, project announcements, and media mentions.

Faces of Transit in Nebraska Video Series Creating Awareness of Available Services Statewide

10-2-23 | For many in rural communities, transit is a lifeline. Rural transit agencies connect people to healthcare, work, education, and civic life. As a result, public transportation in Nebraska is vital to the state’s economic prosperity and future. Many agencies in Nebraska are doing new things like starting up new service in an unserved area, building bus barns to house their vehicles, and holding open houses to educate the public about their services. The Faces of Transit in Nebraska video series explores who the agency serves and where they take their passengers, so others understand how the service works. The Nebraska Public Transit team partnered with White Shutter Media to create this video series as part of efforts to grow rural transit options in Nebraska.

Greater Nebraska Youth Survey Data Affirms Young Nebraskans’ Preference for Small Communities

8-7-23 | CPAR Director Josie Schafer has partnered with the Nebraska Community Foundation for four years to produce the Greater Nebraska Youth Survey for the Nebraska Community Foundation. This data has informed projects and partnerships throughout the state. Read the 2023 Greater Nebraska Youth Survey report. Read the 2022 annual report and watch their 2022 Connect video.

Media Mentions:

• Omaha World Herald - Nebraska youth survey shows students prefer small towns, don't feel included in community
• KLKN-TV Channel 8 - Nebraska survey reveals majority of rural students want to stay in small towns
  
• Norfolk Daily News - Survey reveals students prefer small towns, desire safety
• Kearney Hub - Nebraska youth survey shows students prefer small towns, don't feel included in community
• The North Platte Telegraph - Greater Nebraska Youth Survey reveals students prefer small towns, desire safety
• The Columbus Telegram - Voices of the future: Survey finds Nebraska youth like smaller communities, want to stay close to home
• 10/11 KOLN Pure Nebraska - 2023 Greater Nebraska Youth Survey Results
• The Columbus Telegram - Invite young Nebraskans to build community with us - editorial from Jeff Yost, president and CEO, Nebraska Community Foundation
• Midwest Messenger - Welcome to our town: Revitalizing rural America
• Nebraska Community Foundation - Five Years of Nebraska Youth Survey Data Reveal Strong Preference for Rural Communities
• 10/11 Now Pure Nebraska - Five years of Nebraska Youth Survey data reveal strong preference for rural communities
• Nebraska Examiner - Survey shows Nebraska rural youths like their small-town living
• Lincoln Journal Star - 'Bright future for greater Nebraska': Survey shows rural students want to stay in state (PDF of article)
• McCook Gazette - Youth Survey shows most prefer to return home — when they can
• North Platte Post - Survey shows Nebraska rural youths like their small-town living
• Lincoln Journal Star - Editorial, 10/16: Rural survey is good news, but also a call to action (PDF of article)
• McCook Gazette - Survey: Invite young people to return home

Greater Omaha Chamber Young Professionals Survey of Nebraska Residents and Why They Moved Away

4-17-23 | Just before the pandemic, CPAR worked with the Greater Omaha Chamber Young Professionals to conduct a survey of former residents of Nebraska about why they moved away. View a recent Lincoln Journal Star editorial about this topic.

Community Survey for Manhattan, Kansas

4-17-23 | UNO CPAR developed a community survey for Manhattan, Kansas, and assisted with the marketing plan as well as mailing postcards to residents. CPAR will analyze the survey results, develop an online dashboard, provide overtime analyses, and make a presentation of results to the Manhattan City Council. Listen to a news story from WIBW13 about the survey. View the survey results dashboard. Read the 2023 Community Survey Summary and the Parks and Recreation Question Results.