At QAT Global, we’re proud to call Omaha home.

Why Omaha Strong?

Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska and is also the anchor of the eight-county bi-state Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area. Today, approximately 1.3 million people reside in the Greater Omaha area within a 50 mile radius of Downtown Omaha.

Brief Origin & History
Omaha was a stop on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in 1804. The Omaha, Ponca, and various other Native American Tribes lived on the land that became Omaha. Omaha’s name comes from the Indian word meaning “upstream people.” A treaty with the Omaha Tribe allowed for the creation of the Nebraska Territory and Omaha City. Omaha was then informally established on July 4th, 1854 on Capital Hill in Downtown Omaha, where  Omaha Central High School now sits. Omaha was declared Capital of Nebraska, until 1867 when the capital moved to Lincoln.

In the 19th century, Omaha’s central location in the U.S made the city an important national transportation hub. Omaha became known as the “gateway to the West” as the Platte and Missouri rivers were vital transportation arteries. From the 1890s to the mid 20th century, Omaha was one of the top livestock markets in the world. The Omaha Stockyards was once the world’s largest and the local meatpacking plants acquired international prominence.

21st Century

Today, Omaha is home to the headquarters of Fortune 500 companies including Berkshire Hathaway, Kiewit Corporation, Mutual of Omaha, and Union Pacific Corporation.

In 2002, the First National Bank Tower was completed as Omaha’s largest skyscraper at 634 feet.

In 2008, Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge opened crossing the Missouri River between Council Bluffs and Omaha.

In 2011, TD Ameritrade Park was completed in the North Downtown area, becoming the new home of the College World Series.

In 2019, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium again ranks #2 as the best zoo in the country. The zoo’s Lied Jungle is the largest indoor rainforest in America.

Interesting Facts :

• Some notable inventions from Omaha include the bobby pin, Butter Brickle Ice Cream, Reuben Sandwich, Raisin Bran Cereal, TV Dinners, cake mix, and the ski lift.
• The NCAA Men’s College World Series has been a tradition in Omaha for 60+ years.
• Omaha has been the host of the U.S Olympic Swim Trials for three consecutive trials.
• Ebola patients are transported to Omaha and treated because the University of Nebraska Medical Center has one of the leading high-level containment centers in the nation.
• Famous people who call Omaha home: President Gerald Ford, Malcolm X, Actor Nick Nolte, Fred Astaire, Actress Gabrielle Union, Warren Buffett, and more.
• Penny from The Big Bang Theory is also from Omaha.
• Omaha hosted the World’s Fair in 1898.
• Nebraska is where Arbor Day first began.