The University of Nebraska-Omaha contributed $2.4 billion to the Omaha area in 2024, according to a new report released Wednesday. Economic impact looks at the total amount of economic activity that can be linked to a particular group’s spending activities. UNO Economics Professor Dr. Christopher Decker is behind the report. The Chancellor of UNO says the report confirms what she already suspected.Alumni generated around $975 million in tax revenue. That includes income, payroll, property and sales taxes.”We are the economic engine for the state of Nebraska and the city of Omaha,” UNO Chancellor Dr. Joanne Li told KETV.In an exclusive interview, Li reflected on the numbers.KETV asked if she still does not want to refer to UNO as a commuter school, after seeing the report.”I think in the past, when people talk about ‘commuter school’, it came with a negative connotation. So, in the last four years, I actively wanted to pursue another title for UNO. We are the urban campus,” Li said. “We recognize the need of an urban city. We also recognize the need for our state of Nebraska. Being an urban campus, we have a critical mass of employers, we have a critical mass of learners.”Another person not surprised by the report, is UNO alum and Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr.”I’m a die-hard Maverick,” Ewing told KETV Wednesday. “One great thing about a metropolitan university like UNO is usually you have a large percentage of people who attend that are actually from that city, and then they stay.”It’s a trend Li is confident will continue.”We’re not at the corner. We’re right in the heart of the city and we’re right in the heart of Nebraska,” she said.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
The University of Nebraska-Omaha contributed $2.4 billion to the Omaha area in 2024, according to a new report released Wednesday.
Economic impact looks at the total amount of economic activity that can be linked to a particular group’s spending activities.
UNO Economics Professor Dr. Christopher Decker is behind the report.
The Chancellor of UNO says the report confirms what she already suspected.
Alumni generated around $975 million in tax revenue. That includes income, payroll, property and sales taxes.
“We are the economic engine for the state of Nebraska and the city of Omaha,” UNO Chancellor Dr. Joanne Li told KETV.
In an exclusive interview, Li reflected on the numbers.
KETV asked if she still does not want to refer to UNO as a commuter school, after seeing the report.
“I think in the past, when people talk about ‘commuter school’, it came with a negative connotation. So, in the last four years, I actively wanted to pursue another title for UNO. We are the urban campus,” Li said. “We recognize the need of an urban city. We also recognize the need for our state of Nebraska. Being an urban campus, we have a critical mass of employers, we have a critical mass of learners.”
Another person not surprised by the report, is UNO alum and Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr.
“I’m a die-hard Maverick,” Ewing told KETV Wednesday. “One great thing about a metropolitan university like UNO is usually you have a large percentage of people who attend that are actually from that city, and then they stay.”
It’s a trend Li is confident will continue.
“We’re not at the corner. We’re right in the heart of the city and we’re right in the heart of Nebraska,” she said.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |