Monitoring ReportSD-11: Economic DevelopmentPublic Information Committee ReportOctober 15, 2019

Lisa Olson – Vice President Public Affairs

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SD-11: Economic DevelopmentPromoting economic growth and vitality through the production of affordable, reliable and environmentally sensitive energy is key to the success of OPPD. Therefore, OPPD shall exercise strategic leadership and actively participate in regional economic development.

Specifically, OPPD shall:

Create and retain revenue for the District through the attraction of new business, the retention and expansion of existing business, and by fostering economic growth in our communities.

Align and maintain leadership in economic development activities with local, regional and statewide initiatives.

Promote innovation while maintaining rate affordability, aligning with SD-2, by offering economic programs or rates.

Assist with site development by carrying out site due diligence and marketing efforts for large businesses and industrial customer-owners.

Give periodic updates to the Board on economic development projects.

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Themes since last report… Progress

• Changes to our team, new projects, expansions, investment in our region

Community Focus• Community development

Planning• Messaging, site development, economic development

outreach platform OPPD is leading the way

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Project Wizard Journey• 2+ year project• Key factors:

Relationship and proven ability to support large projects Innovative solutions to support electric service needs and renewables

(Rate 261M) Site development efforts Close partnership with Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation,

City of Papillion, Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Sarpy County and many others

Create and retain revenue for the District through the attraction of new business, the retention and expansion of existing business, and by fostering economic growth in our communities

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Create and retain revenue for the District through the attraction of new business, the retention and expansion of existing business, and by fostering economic growth in our communities

Impacts• $600M investment ($2.5B investment in Council Bluffs to date)• Hundreds of data center construction positions and dozens of permanent

data center positions• OPPD substation and transmission infrastructure investments to benefit the

region• Renewable energy benefits to the region• Oxford Economics Impact Report -

https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/publication/open/297800

Wizard Announcement Video

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Create and retain revenue for the District through the attraction of new business, the retention and expansion of existing business, and by fostering economic growth in our communities

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Create and retain revenue for the District through the attraction of new business, the retention and expansion of existing business, and by fostering economic growth in our communities

• 85 customer business retention & expansion visits since last report

• 70+% of these are small business visits (defined as 50 or less employees)

• Supported small and medium business support strategy with Customer Service Business Unit

• Headquarter & recruitment visits

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• Implementing use of economic development pitch book and targeted marketing materials for: data centers high-tech manufacturing Biotechnology customizable for other

industries• Creating playbooks and

communications plans

Create and retain revenue for the District through the attraction of new business, the retention and expansion of existing business, and by fostering economic growth in our communities

Community Outreach• Integration of community outreach and economic

development efforts in the Economic Development & External Relations Division

• Research and best practices completed • Areas of focus identified &

strategies developed• Implementation underway

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Community Research for Outreach Focus

BENCHMARKING• Research Industry practices and

Best Places to Work (BPTW)

BUSINESS NEEDS• Align with Strategic Initiatives and

Directives; SWOT analysis

EMPLOYEES• Hold Focus Groups and

conduct BPTW Survey

CUSTOMERS• Conduct 600+ Surveys regarding

giving, pressing issues, OPPD impact

COMMUNITY LEADER INTERVIEWS

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Community Outreach Focus

EDUCATION• STEM/Trades• Mentoring• Classroom & Career

Readiness• Community-Based

Workforce Development

BASIC NEEDS• Energy Assistance• Poverty

COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENTAL BETTERMENT• Community Improvement &

Beautification• Sustainability Education

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Community Outreach

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Create and retain revenue for the District through the attraction of new business, the retention and expansion of existing business, and by fostering economic growth in our communitiesCommunity Development & Outreach

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Thriving Communities

Create and retain revenue for the District through the attraction of new business, the retention and expansion of existing business, and by fostering economic growth in our communities

• Legacy I3• Connect the Dots• CODE Commitment• Main Street Improvements• Economic Development Certified Community• Industry group workforce initiatives• Community Conversations• Resource Connections• Coffee with the CEO• Dream It Do It

Align and maintain leadership in economic development activities with local, regional and statewide initiatives

• 2017, 2018 & 2019 “Top Utilities in Economic Development” Site Selection

• 2017, 2018 & 2019 Governor’s Cup and Greater Omaha Awards Site Selection Award

• 2019 Silver Shovel Award Area Development

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Align and maintain leadership in economic development activities with local, regional and statewide initiatives

Leadership Examples:Blueprint Nebraska• Steering Committee and Councils• A vision for 2030 focused on people, place,

government and sectors

Omaha Chamber/Prosper Omaha 2.0• Chair and Campaign Leader• Transformative 5-year economic development campaign

dedicated toward Greater Omaha’s 2040 vision focused on people, place and prosperity

Nebraska City Area Economic Development/Omaha Chamber Partnership• Jason Esser – 2019 President• Joining Omaha Chamber’s Regional Partnership

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Align and maintain leadership in economic development activities with local, regional and statewide initiativesMidwest• Board Member of Mid-America Economic Developers AssociationStatewide• President of Nebraska Economic Developers Association • Board Member of Nebraska Diplomats Regional/Local• Past-President of Gateway Development Corporation • President of Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation • President of Nebraska City Area Economic Development • Board Member of Cass County Economic Development Corporation • Board Member Omaha Downtown Business Improvement District • Board Member of Southeast Nebraska Development District

At-Large Representative for Rural Workforce Housing Fund

• Board Member of Ashland Area Economic Development Corporation • Secretary of Partners for Progress - SE Nebraska • Stronger Economies Together (SET) Manufacturing Chair

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Promote innovation while maintaining rate affordability, aligning with SD-2, by offering economic programs or rates

• Rate development, support and promotion 261 M – High Voltage Transmission Level-Market Energy 261 – High Voltage Transmission Level 500 – Community Solar – Rate Rider

• Additional savings/revenue opportunities Arbor Line utilization Alignment with Customer Service, including products

and services

• Grant Support & Guidance New since last report

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Assist with site development by carrying out site due diligence and marketing efforts for large businesses and industrial customer-owners

Preparation for Growth and Development• New OPPD-led site identification is

underway across territory• 6 sites planned and controlled by Omaha

Chamber partnership• Promote sites, buildings and community

profiles

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New Actions in Economic Development• Add to staff• Grant support & guidance• Increased small business and

entrepreneurship focus and partnerships Working to integrate tools such as Source

Link & Gallup BP10

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Give periodic updates to the Board on economic development projects

• Directors Update

• OPPDtheWire.com

• Economic Development website

• Social Media

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Recommendation• The Public Information Committee has reviewed and accepted

this Monitoring Report for SD-11 and recommends that the Board find OPPD to be sufficiently in compliance with Board Policy SD-11.

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Appendix for BoardCommunity Outreach Research and Benchmarking

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What We Did:• Industry Conversations• “Best in Class” BenchmarkingWhat We Found:• Companies who are “doing it right”:

– Focus efforts– Align with brand/business goals– Engage stakeholders– Mobilize employees

BENCHMARKING

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What We Did:• Leadership interviews• Strategic Directives

– Rates (SD-2)– Customer Satisfaction (SD-5)– Environmental Stewardship (SD-7)– Employee Relations (SD-8)– Economic Development (SD-11)– Stakeholder Outreach & Comm (SD-13)

• Strategic Initiatives

BUSINESS NEEDS

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What We Heard:• EAP, Education

(STEM/trades), & Environment

• Family, youth, diversity, wellness, veterans & community betterment

• OPPD employees are interested in volunteering and feel supported

EMPLOYEESWhat we did:• Employee Interviews,

Focus Groups:1) What are your passions?2) Where can OPPD impact?

• BPTW Survey

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CUSTOMERSWhat We Did:• Engaged the Online Power Panel

1. Where do you give? 2. What are the big issues in your

community? 3. Where do you see OPPD

making an impact?What We Heard:• Poverty/hunger/homelessness• Faith-based groups • Community betterment

& environment depict abalanced tone

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COMMUNITYWhat We Did:• Listened to community stakeholders

across the district• Analyzed secondary researchWhat We Heard:• Basic needs & education • Housing, transportation, crime prevention,

equality, arts/culture, entrepreneurship, workforce & community development, environment

• Different needs for North and South rural, and Omaha-metro

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AREAS OF FOCUS EMERGE

EDUCATIONSTEM/TradesMentoringClassroom & Career ReadinessCommunity-Based Workforce

Development

BASIC NEEDSEnergy AssistancePoverty

COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENTAL BETTERMENTCommunity ImprovementBeautificationSustainability Education

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COMMUNITY PLATFORMEmpowering today for a brighter tomorrow.

SIGNATURE FOCUSES

(Proactive partnerships)EMPLOYEE

ENGAGEMENT(Community building)

COMMUNITY REQUESTS

(Strategic, high-value)

Aligns with education & basic needs.

Aligns with any of the three focus areas.

Aligns with any of the three focus areas.

Does not align with focus areas.

Sponsorships that focus on

high-value partnerships

Brand-building programs &

partnerships that provide the

tools, skills and support for families and

youth to thrive.

Engagement opportunities to

promote core values &

community betterment Outliers that are

reactive & do not align

OTHER

EDUCATION

BASIC NEEDS

COMMUNITY & EVIRONMENTAL

BETTERMENT

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