Business

Omaha’s young professionals will gather next week for an event focused on their community.

The event happens next Wednesday, February 29,  at the CenturyLink Center. Last year, Forbes Magazine named Omaha as one of the top cities for young professionals. Omaha also made Forbes’ list of most affordable cities.

Among the topics are community development, leadership, building a a personal brand, and social media. Author and designer Bruce Mau is the keynote speaker.

More information is available at http://omahayoungprofessionals.org/YPSummit.aspx

A Rhode Island-based biofuels company is expanding its operation at a southwest Iowa plant.

BioProcess Algae broke ground Wednesday on a five-acre facility at the Green Plains Energy ethanol plant in Shenandoah. BioProcess opened a demonstration plant in 2009 at GPRE’s Shenandoah campus. The facility captures the waste products used to make ethanol, and uses them to grow algae. The algae is then used in animal feed.

BioProcess CEO Tim Burns says a successful trial last summer of the algae’s use in other products led to the expansion of the Shenandoah facility. He says they’re working with companies now for fish meal replacements and Omega oils that can be produced at the plant

Construction is set to begin early next year on a major restoration project in Omaha’s Dundee neighborhood.

City officials announced the Dundee restoration project Thursday. It’ll involve new sidewalks, landscaping, benches, and parking along Underwood Avenue from 49th to 51st streets. Work will also be done along 50th street.

Omaha, NE – Gallup Chairman and CEO Jim Clifton and Governor Dave Heineman are the guest speakers at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting luncheon. The event takes place on Wednesday, February 1st at 11:30 a.m. in CenturyLink Center. David Brown, Chamber President and CEO, says Nebraska has a 4.2% unemployment rate, which is still lower than most places in the country.

Omaha, NE – An economic survey of nine states shows slight economic decline in December. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey.

Omaha, NE – Right now, more than 80 percent of Omaha's retired city employees pay no health insurance premiums. That could change under a plan introduced Tuesday by city officials. Starting July first, retirees could pay 25 to 35 percent of the cost of their health insurance.