The weather may have been a bit brisk for mid-autumn, but the October 23rd ground-breaking ceremony for Building Omaha’s 24,000 square-foot addition to its current training center was warm and welcoming.
Allan Hale, executive director of the Nebraska chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), welcomed approximately 75 guests to the morning ceremony before Building Omaha and civic leaders, wearing blue construction helmets, picked up their ceremonial shovels to officially break ground on a project that will make high-tech, high-benefits, and high-paying jobs available to more people.
Those in attendance were members of Building Omaha’s two partnering organizations, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and NECA, and included individuals who served on the building committee as well as those who planned the original training center. Representatives from Holland Basham Architects and DR Anderson, the architecture and construction firms responsible for the addition, also were present, as were project sponsor, First National Bank of Omaha, and OPS Career Academy leadership.
Special guests included several community and governmental leaders: Douglas Kindig, mayor of LaVista; David Brown, president of the Greater Omaha Chamber; and Don Bacon, U.S. Representative for Nebraska’s 2nd congressional district, whom Hale called a good friend of NECA.
After Congressman Bacon offered a few words of congratulations, the event ended with a celebratory brunch at the IBEW Local 22 union hall. Pancake Man worked the griddle as guests warmed themselves with plenty of piping coffee. As a gesture of appreciation for support, attendees were also treated to Building Omaha swag and merchandise.
A huge thank you to all who joined us at the ground-breaking. We appreciate your support and look forward to returning the favor with the fruits of our expanded training center – more highly-trained and skilled electricians who will power our community in years to come.
