Omaha’s early success as a transportation hub drew a variety of economic sectors to the city. In addition to a wholesale jobbing center, it was also home to large meat-packing operations and regional breweries. The city’s location on the Missouri River drew steamboats carrying goods from the Midwest to Omaha warehouse, and its riverfront warehouses provided storage and distribution for the Great Plains region.
How expensive is it to live in Omaha?
During the Great Depression, the city’s warehouses and food distribution centers benefited from the massive federal relief efforts. Omaha’s central location in the United States, and its telecommunications industry have contributed to its current strong economy. In the mid-1990s, Omaha became one of the nation’s top locations for call centers, with the city attracting a number of Fortune 500 companies, such as US West and Aflac.
The city’s telecommunications infrastructure includes the country’s largest fiber optic network. Nebraska state regulators have given local phone companies latitude to deploy new services rapidly. Moreover, the area’s local speech pattern is described as “pure American,” which makes it easier for national phone companies to understand calls from other parts of the country.
Located along the Missouri River, the city is a business center with large concentrations of insurance and financial services. Three Fortune 1000 insurance companies, Mutual of Omaha, Berkshire Hathaway and TD Ameritrade, have their headquarters in Omaha. The city is also a major producer of television and film. In addition, Omaha has a well-developed music scene and several cultural attractions including the Omaha Community Playhouse, Henry Doorly Zoo and the Old Market District.