A group of economic leaders toured UNMC recently, meeting with university and UNeTech leaders and touring the iEXCEL Visualization Hub and the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
The group included:
- Kristine Benson, economic development consultant, Nebraska Department of Economic Development;
- Brook Aken, economic development coordinator, Omaha Public Power District;
- Andy Schilling, senior director, international business development, Greater Omaha Chamber;
- Joe Fox, director, Business Development Division; and
- Jason Guernsey, director of business attraction, Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
“All of us on this tour in some way work with companies outside the state that are considering a business expansion. One example could be a company that manufactures one of these medical devices. It’s helpful for us to have actually seen the work UNMC is doing here and be able to elaborate further, or even arrange a site visit and tour with the company.”
Getting people to consider bringing a business to Nebraska can sometimes be a challenge, Benson said.
“Being able to experience hands-on how technologically advanced we are helps to tell our story, and how it leads to a better quality of life. We can speak to it with greater passion as we engage with these companies.”
Benson had toured UNMC before, but she said it had been a few years.
“It’s just amazing how it’s constantly changing and evolving.”
Aken, of OPPD, said she was very impressed by the tour.
“UNMC is an incredible asset to the state, and learning more about the opportunities and the research and development that’s taking place here is really exciting. It’s interesting that we’re always trying to attract new talent here, and UNMC’s investing in that.
“Meeting (Bill Glass, iEXCEL director of visualization and technology) and hearing his story about how he told his friends on the east coast why he was coming here, that’s what we want to see. And the technology and advancements in research going on here are really impactful.”