Jamie Karl, Courtesy
GRAND ISLAND – Jamie Karl is the new president of the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce and is excited about promoting Grand Island’s business growth.
The Chamber of Commerce announced Karl’s hiring in a Feb. 12 news release.
Grand Island’s potential is summarized in a recent Area Development magazine, Karl said.
According to a Chamber of Commerce news release, the comparison of 384 U.S. metropolitan areas shows Grand Island in 2023 was:
- *Third best in the nation for its core economic indicators;
- *No. 11 in the United States for its economic strength; and
- *No. 22 in overall economic growth, ahead of 362 other metro areas nationwide, including Omaha (No. 192) and Lincoln (No. 125).
Karl talked about what attracted him to the Nebraska position. He has spent the last five years at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, serving as director of communications and marketing.
Karl said, “I had been away from Nebraska. I was a sixth-generation Nebraskan looking for a way to get back home. I had been in Ohio for the last five years.”
He said he learned through friends that longtime Chamber President was leaving her job. He said he knew of her leadership from the 12 years he spent as a vice president for the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“I knew Grand Island’s economy was doing well,” he said. He said he knew that Johnson had a “strong Chamber of Commerce.”
“So for me, it was a no-brainer to apply for the position. It’s an exciting opportunity to help the community and its businesses write the next chapter,” he said.
Karl said that the ranking published by Area Development magazine “is an indicator of the area’s economic resilience and progress.” He noted that Grand Island finished more than 100 positions ahead of Lincoln in overall economic growth (No. 22 for Grand Island compared to No. 125 for Lincoln) and more than 170 positions ahead of Omaha (No. 192 for Omaha).
“The Grand Island business community should not be bashful in spreading the news about this achievement,” he said. “We need to let the world know that Grand Island is on the move.”
Grand Island has a number of developments in the pipeline to continue this development. They include:
- *Conestoga Marketplace.
- *Several new housing developments.
- *The Casino Resort at Fonner Park.
- *Railside.
- *New plans for projects near Interstate 80 including Camp Augustine.
Karl has some initial goals in his job. He would like to “enhance the value of the Chamber membership for all partners.”
“I’d like to grow the total number of partners who belong to the Chamber,” he said.
Karl said it’s important to point out some of Grand Island’s strengths in its demographics:
- *The median age is under 35.
- *Nearly 30 percent of Grand Island’s population is under 18 years old.
“The business community needs to nurture our next generation. They need to make sure that young Grand Island residents know that they are needed and wanted here,” Karl said. “Young people need to know they have good opportunities and a great quality of life in Grand Island.” This is how Grand Island will make sure that it continues its impressive growth.
“Like any community, there are challenges,” Karl said. They include:
- *Improving workforce housing.
- *Making sure that residents support local businesses
- *Retaining young people, “especially those who go away for a four-year degree.”
Central Community College “has a strong presence in Grand Island, and they are adding to their abilities to conduct workforce training. Central Community College is a key partner of the business community.”
Grand Island is a leader in career and technical education and training for high school students, the Chamber president noted.
“The Career Academies at Grand Island Senior High ae been a leader in Nebraska education and have served as a model for the rest of the state,” Karl said.
