Despite the fact that Lincoln and Omaha are nearly 60 miles apart and are separated by many counties, civic leaders would like to combine the two into one Metropolitan Statistical Area prior to Census 2010. Local boosters expect that if approved, the new metropolitan area with more than a million residents would be a attractive destination for companies seeking expansion. Currently, Omaha is part of the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Metropolitan Statistical Area and Lincoln is part of the Lincoln, NE Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Explore Geography
Comments
While I’m not surprised that the census bureau won’t combine the two metros into one, the facts presented here are a little off. Downtown Omaha is 55 miles from Downtown Lincoln, but the edges of the two cities are only 25 miles apart. And there are not “many” counties between them, but the [i]corners[/i] of two counties — Sarpy and Cass — (both of which are already in the Omaha metro).
If you look on a map, you will see that the two metros also share a 40 mile border. So while it may be true that they’re not quite conjoined enough to be one, the notion of someday combining the two is not exactly far-fetched.
Mark is correct. I live in the corner of Omaha and it only takes about 10 more minutes to get to Lincoln than it does to Council Bluffs.
With the Sac Museum, Mahoney Park, Nebraska raceway and the Henry Doorly Widlife attractions between Omaha and Lincoln it is only time before the two meet. There are already 10,000+ people that work in one of those metro areas and drive to the other one.
Combine Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Metropolitan Statistical Area and Lincoln, NE Metropolitan Statistical Area? You mean combine Omaha and the surrounding Nebraska Counties with the NE Metropolitan Statistical Area excluding Iowa. Right? Why not? The Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Metropolitan Statistical Area encourages companies seeking expansion to build from Omaha into Iowa.
Combining Omaha and the surrounding Nebraska Counties with the NE Metropolitan Statistical Area would encourage Companies seeking expansion to Build from Omaha into Nebraska towards Lincoln. Eventually connecting Omaha and Lincoln creating a “United City” like Kansas City, Mo and Kansas City, KS. Bringing about More Jobs (from Companies seeking expansion, more tax money (without having to increase taxes), a higher number of Tourists, and a raising amount of people that immigrate to Nebraska from other States.
To increase the rate at which this occurs Nebraska and Lincoln should allow Corporations and other Businesses to build Buildings higher than the State Capital ( which is currently prohibited. Businesses seeking expansion are drawn to Cities and States that have a greater population and allow them to build Sky Scrapers and taller buildings. Because the greater population allows Companies to meet the needed amount of employees in a timely fashion. While the ability to build Sky Scrapers and taller buildings allow companies to minimize the cost of land and Property taxes, among other things.
Allow Sky Scrapers to be built in Nebraska and after companies decide take a chance on us the areas population will rise to meet the need for employees. Because people will relocate to meet their need for jobs. Population and the number of job opportunities that are available go hand in hand. Whether it be in a positive light or not lay solely upon the employment opportunities to qualified employees. On the job training and employers being lenient with entry-level positions could make all the difference. Education is key to a successful and economically booming state; and with people, employers, employment opportunities, and money comes more technical schools and career based schooling that isn’t currently available in Nebraska.
“My Vote is for Nebraska to combine Omaha and the surrounding Nebraska Counties with the NE Metropolitan Statistical Area and exclude Iowa, allow Corporations to build Sky Scrapers in Nebraska, have council bluffs citizens vote wether or not they would rather be considered part of Nebraska or Iowa (after these changes have taken effect), and propose a building proposal that will ensure Businesses that wish to build between Lincoln and Omaha along I-80 for the cities expansion and Development can. (Such as Real-estate, Corporations, warehouses, Businesses, or even for private citizens to build a house on) Land can’t be bought for Agricultural purposes or anything deemed “uncity-Like” or not Developmental.
I get more in depth about it…
I’ve decided to write a paper about which should be worthwhile because I’ll probably be able to use it in a Geography class in College. Let me know how you fell about what I’ve wrote and politic with people about it; make it known. It’ll benefit the cities (Lincoln & Omaha) but the cities and towns around them will grow too, but there will still be you’re “Good ‘Ol Small Towns” and more than enough land for Agriculture. The land owners and farmers will profit from it… Not take a loss and be able to find better land and buy more of it with the compensation they receive.
I grew up in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska. For the past 18 years I have lived in Houston, Texas. I would suggest you come live in a Metropolis before you aspire to become one. It may alter your thinking.
Gee Jane, thanks for the advice. Having been to Houston, I would have the compare that oily “metropolis” to other smog-infested blights of urban sprawl like Los Angeles and Beijing. Having been a past winner of most polluted city in the United States, Houston is really like one large petroleum refinery. I’m fairly certain no one in the Lincoln-Omaha-Council Bluffs area seek to aspire to such heights, as I’m sure people like to get outside here without donning medical masks and oxygen tanks. Wanting to attract businesses with a more appealing statistical number does not equal to wanting to become a “metropolis.” Adding Lincoln to the Omaha MSA is not only logical its already happening. Maybe you should come on up and visit Omaha sometime…you might not recognize the city you grew up in. At least you’ll be able to see beyond the end of your hand.
Shaun sugah,
I have been in Omaha and Lincoln alot over the past years…at least once or twice a year. I have seen there has been growth, what I was trying to address is the assumption that all growth and becoming bigger is not necessarily good. So you make my point well, I am surprised you did not understand this is the point I was trying to make.
I do not know what areas of Houston you visited. Perhaps you wound up in East Houston which is more industrial…has the refineries,etc. There are other parts of Houston that are much nicer than that…so sorry your visit did not get you to them. In the favor of East Houston though, the production of oil in this area engines the growth of such cities as Omaha, Council Bluffs and Linoln.
Living through another Depression is said to look like a real possibility in the future and I know as Lincoln and Omaha grow it will only stimulate economic growth and that of surrounding towns, villages, and city’s. they’ll grow and fill the void in your want for your Nebraska Home Town Feel. Then you’ll be able to acquire a job working in Lincoln and or Omaha without the towns’ growth affecting your comfort level. Growth will not affect a Native Nebraskans beliefs, Compassion, attitudes, or any other Characteristics of Nebraska you may cherish so much. But it will affect our quality of life economically. I honestly believe that the architectural building code that says a contractor in Lincoln Nebraska can not architecturally engineer a building to be any taller than the capital building should be overturned and changed and that the metropolitan areas should be changed as well. Some of my ideas on how to go about accelerating the process are extreme but all that really matters is that things change. If we don’t do anything to ease the affects of the recession, we could possibly see a higher increase in criminal activity then you would because of the states growth. Because when people are desperate to provide for themselves or their family the majority will go to extremes if it feels necessary to do so. Attracting employers at this point in time is crucial in the development of Nebraska economically as a state; ensuring you and every nebraskan’s ability to provide for yourselves and families should be one of everybody’s greatest concerns. This is simply the best way in which I have found for us to go about doing that; considering the circumstances. Yeah, I want to live in a state in which I feel I can acquire more money, But I can move. My motive isn’t more; it’s maintaining the ability to keep what we have. We’re currently losing more and more jobs, leaving more and more people out of a job and incapable of making mortgage payments, car payments, and unable to afford the average cost of living in general. Read and watch the news; they advertise the increase in poverty rates, lay offs, and foreclosures constantly. This is only the beginning and if we don’t make changes locally then how will we as a Nation ease the pain of the trying times to come and that of those who already face trying times. My thoughts should at least be considered and if you feel as though you disagree then inform me and everybody else by telling us what we should do.