A Community-Driven Vision for South Omaha’s Future

South Omaha thrives as a dynamic and multicultural community where the Latino population is the largest ethnic minority, playing a pivotal role in the area's cultural and economic vitality. However, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have disproportionately affected Latino families and businesses, deepening economic disparities and slowing recovery efforts. Many local businesses continue to struggle, and essential services remain inaccessible to some residents, underscoring the need for sustained investment in economic resilience and community-driven solutions.

Recognizing these challenges, Latino residents, business owners, and community leaders came together in 2022 to advocate for the equitable distribution of American Rescue Plan funds. Their efforts sought to bring transformative investment into communities like South Omaha, ensuring that resources were allocated to those most affected by the pandemic. The rapidly growing Latino population in the area underscored the urgent need for an organization dedicated to advancing economic opportunities and advocating for long-term, systemic change.

In response, the Latino Economic Development Council (LEDC) was established to foster an environment where Latino businesses, workers, and families could thrive. LEDC’s mission goes beyond economic development - we are committed to enhancing the overall quality of life for Latino residents by addressing barriers to financial stability, workforce advancement, and community-driven placemaking. Through initiatives such as business support programs, workforce development efforts, and strategic partnerships with local, regional, and national organizations, LEDC empowers Latino entrepreneurs, strengthens small businesses, and drives sustainable growth. By focusing on both economic empowerment and community well-being, LEDC is shaping a future where Latino families in South Omaha have access to the opportunities and resources they need to prosper.

In its early years, the LEDC operated entirely as a volunteer-run organization. In 2024, the organization reached a significant milestone by hiring Itzel Lopez as its full-time, inaugural Executive Director and establishing a dynamic working board of distinguished business and community leaders. With this strengthened leadership, the LEDC focused on expanding its capacity to drive meaningful change in Omaha and beyond by forging key regional and national partnerships.

A bold new chapter for South Omaha is taking shape through the Adelante Initiative, a transformative investment in the future of our community. Rooted in the vision of creating equitable opportunities for Latino residents and businesses, the Adelante Initiative represents a comprehensive strategy to drive economic revitalization, celebrate cultural heritage, and foster community-led development across South Omaha. Our partnership with Canopy South led to a landmark achievement in 2024 - the award of a $25 million grant from the State of Nebraska for the Adelante Initiative. Looking ahead to 2025, LEDC will launch the first phase of the Adelante Initiative, beginning with the highly anticipated redevelopment of Plaza de la Raza, a project that embodies our broader mission of economic empowerment, cultural preservation, and community-driven growth.

But the need for LEDC’s work runs deeper than any single project. For decades, South Omaha has faced systemic disinvestment and economic inequality, limiting opportunities for Latino families and businesses. These persistent disparities, worsened by the pandemic, are not simply the result of economic shifts - they reflect a long history of Latino voices being excluded from decision-making processes that shape Omaha’s growth.

The LEDC was founded to change that. We are working to ensure that Latino perspectives are prioritized in shaping Omaha’s future. By bridging the gap between city leaders, public agencies, and the community, we are advocating for an inclusive vision where South Omaha is no longer an afterthought, but a key driver of Omaha’s future prosperity.

We do this work through three core areas of focus:

• Organize: LEDC unites residents, businesses, and leaders to secure funding and transform public spaces, starting with the Plaza de la Raza. 

• Advocate: LEDC brings stakeholders together to create spaces that reflect the community’s needs and voices.

• Educate: LEDC builds opportunities for personal and professional growth by investing in youth, emerging leaders, and Latino entrepreneurs. Through a comprehensive network of partnerships, we are creating pathways to economic mobility, leadership, and community advancement.

Through these efforts, the LEDC is driving systemic change, empowering Latino communities, and ensuring that South Omaha’s future is shaped by the people who call it home. We believe that by working together, we are building a South Omaha that is prosperous, inclusive, and thriving for generations to come.