More than 90% of South Omaha businesses say they’ve seen no improvement since the federal immigration raid at Glenn Valley Foods in June, according to a new survey from the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Two months after ICE raid, South Omaha businesses still strugglingThe group previously conducted a survey in the same area one week after the ICE raid.Yesenia Peck, president of the NHCC, said since then, business in the area has remained stagnant. The organization’s September South Omaha Business Impact Survey gathered responses from 60 businesses — most of them non-immigrant-owned. Among South Omaha businesses along the South 24th Street corridor are Irma and Jesus Villezcas, who have operated businesses in South Omaha since the early 2000s.“We build up the dream, and that dream is destroyed today,” said Irma Villezcas, who believes the stigma left behind by the Glenn Valley Foods raid has made business even more difficult than during the recession. “Today, I think it’s worse because people are leaving.”According to the NHCC survey, five businesses have permanently closed since the raid. Plaza Latina owner Tony Vega said small, niche businesses are particularly vulnerable.“The ones who are truly suffering and find themselves forced to close sooner than we are in this case,” Vega said.The report found 25 businesses experienced a 50 to 60 percent drop in sales. Irma Villezcas said her business has seen the same decline.She said she doesn’t have the same amount of foot traffic like she did before the raid.“I miss my people. I miss my clients,” she said. “I hope this stops.”ADDITIONAL COVERAGE: Omaha nonprofit organization talks about impacts the ICE raid had on familiesMore than 30 employees have been laid off across South Omaha, according to the survey, with many owners unable to pay wages. Jesus Villezcas said his business had to make similar cuts.“I used to have 12 preparers, and my offices were down to one preparer right now,” he said.Peck emphasized the need for community support.“We have to see each other as neighbors. We have to visit all our businesses,” she said.She added that the NHCC plans to conduct another impact survey six months after the initial raid. Peck also pointed to available resources such as the South Omaha Takeback Grant, which aims to assist struggling businesses. NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
More than 90% of South Omaha businesses say they’ve seen no improvement since the federal immigration raid at Glenn Valley Foods in June, according to a new survey from the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Two months after ICE raid, South Omaha businesses still struggling
The group previously conducted a survey in the same area one week after the ICE raid.
Yesenia Peck, president of the NHCC, said since then, business in the area has remained stagnant. The organization’s September South Omaha Business Impact Survey gathered responses from 60 businesses — most of them non-immigrant-owned.
Among South Omaha businesses along the South 24th Street corridor are Irma and Jesus Villezcas, who have operated businesses in South Omaha since the early 2000s.
“We build up the dream, and that dream is destroyed today,” said Irma Villezcas, who believes the stigma left behind by the Glenn Valley Foods raid has made business even more difficult than during the recession. “Today, I think it’s worse because people are leaving.”
According to the NHCC survey, five businesses have permanently closed since the raid. Plaza Latina owner Tony Vega said small, niche businesses are particularly vulnerable.
“The ones who are truly suffering and find themselves forced to close sooner than we are in this case,” Vega said.
The report found 25 businesses experienced a 50 to 60 percent drop in sales. Irma Villezcas said her business has seen the same decline.
She said she doesn’t have the same amount of foot traffic like she did before the raid.
“I miss my people. I miss my clients,” she said. “I hope this stops.”
ADDITIONAL COVERAGE: Omaha nonprofit organization talks about impacts the ICE raid had on families
More than 30 employees have been laid off across South Omaha, according to the survey, with many owners unable to pay wages. Jesus Villezcas said his business had to make similar cuts.
“I used to have 12 preparers, and my offices were down to one preparer right now,” he said.
Peck emphasized the need for community support.
“We have to see each other as neighbors. We have to visit all our businesses,” she said.
She added that the NHCC plans to conduct another impact survey six months after the initial raid. Peck also pointed to available resources such as the South Omaha Takeback Grant, which aims to assist struggling businesses.
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