South 24Th Street now just has pedestrian traffic and the small
businesses there benefit while North 24Th still has automobile
traffic and is in the very early stages of increased retail
activity. Business on South 24Th street was slow for years but
finally picked up and steps are being made to make it even more
shopper friendly.
Stimulating small business has been shown to be an effective
cure for a lot of community ills. Non profits are helpful and
they do provide employment in slow economic times. But times
don't look that slow right now with the Fed adjusting interest
rates and other possible changes to come in Washington. A
would-be business owner would be wise to watch North 24Th for
an opportunity to take the plunge. Small businesses are good for
the tax base and the quality life in a community. If someone is
cutting people's yards or doing people's hair for money they
are in business, it's just a matter of how deep in they are and
how deep in do they want to be. What's going on in South Omaha
can be looked at and learned from---and it was done with no
Hispanics on the City Council.