Black-Owned Businesses Surge 95% in North Omaha

NORTH OMAHA – The economic scoreboard in North Omaha is looking real good. Mayor John Ewing recently dropped a gem: Omaha has seen a 95% jump in Black-owned businesses with employees. That growth is visible the moment you step onto the 24th Street corridor.

Entrepreneurship on the Rise

The new North Omaha Visitor Center at 24th and Burdette is officially open, featuring a coffee shop, gift shop, and gallery that celebrates our history while fueling today's economy. Just a few blocks away, North Omaha Music and Arts (NOMA) is keeping the block hot with weekly jazz sessions and contemporary live shows. It's more than entertainment; it's an incubator for local talent to connect, create, and build sustainable businesses.

North End Teleservices Leads the Way

Leading the charge is Carmen Tapio and the team at North End Teleservices—the state's largest Black-owned business. Their Forever North project, a massive $65 million to $80 million redevelopment at 24th and Lake, will create a mixed-use powerhouse with new retail storefronts, a daycare center, and roughly 80 to 100 new housing units. This isn't just development; it's building generational wealth for the community.

Investment Flowing In

State Senators Ashlei Spivey and Terrell McKinney are leading the charge with the "New North" Initiative, ensuring that the $1.5 billion flowing into the area actually stays in community pockets. From the Omaha Airport Business Park to major infrastructure upgrades, the investment pipeline is stronger than ever. The bag is being secured, and North Omaha entrepreneurs are the ones cashing in.