Legislature greenlights change to allow Omaha business park to locate within Inland Port Authority area

Senators advanced LB290 on select file after debate about the scope of a North Omaha business park funded under the state's earlier economic recovery appropriations.

Sponsor Senator M. McKinney told colleagues LB290 removes a two-mile restriction that originally required the business park to sit within two miles of the airport and instead allows the project to be developed anywhere inside the Omaha Inland Port Authority area. McKinney said the change is needed because predevelopment work identified environmental cleanup costs at the original site — he cited an estimated cleanup cost of about $40 million — and concerns about potential displacement.

Senator Anderson and others pressed McKinney for details about the money involved and oversight. McKinney said the business park portion carries an allocation of $90 million and that the larger economic recovery package allocated $450 million in state dollars to multiple projects in North and South Omaha; he said the $90 million had not been fully spent because projects were still in progress and that contracts had been signed with grantees.

Supporters, including Senator Gareca, framed the change as modest flexibility to finish a project already under contract and said the funds aim to spur jobs and economic development in North Omaha. Senators across the floor sought clarity on geographic limits: McKinney emphasized the bill keeps spending within the Inland Port Authority map and does not expand the Inland Port boundary.

On a roll call, the Legislature advanced LB290 to E&R for engrossing.