The economic outlook for the Omaha area looks to be improving for 2010, according to a Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce survey.

Business leaders say they are optimistic about growth prospects.

That enthusiasm is also being felt in Sarpy County.

Recent development there has business leaders dancing.

Several new developments throughout the county indicate a promising economic future.

“I think we're just really in to creating a lot of things that families would enjoy, so the shopping centers that are popping up, the fun places like this,” Megan Shonka of the Papio Fun Park said. “Businesses in general are very family oriented and Papillion has grown in to a very family oriented city...period.”

Shonka's father took a chance and started the park about 20 years ago.

There weren't many other options for residents at that time.

Megan has witnessed the business boom first hand and she says it helps attract and keep people in the county.

“So instead of just staying here, growing up here and moving off to somewhere else they're staying around because they know this is a great place to raise kids,” she said.

The number of businesses represented at the Sarpy County Expo highlights the interest businesses have in the area.

Cindy Otto had a little fun but she also sees potential in Sarpy County.

Otto works for Job Source USA, Inc. and helps find employees for some of the county's 3,800 businesses.

“A lot of people may not even know that there's even a lot of businesses in LaVista or Papillion or Bellevue...they don't go there and this is a good way to show this and we have a lot to offer here,” Otto said.

“Businesses are coming to Sarpy County I think because of the quality of life, good work ethic for workers, we've got great schools, great things to do here, trails, lots of entertainment and now we have lots of retail, Jane Nielsen of the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce said.

That bodes well for Sarpy County's future growth.

“The past five to seven years it's exploded,” Megan said.

There is a down side to rapid economic development --- older business districts become less popular and see a drop in revenues.

That's happening along the 84th Street corridor and in Old Towne Bellevue.

The challenge facing Sarpy County is revitalizing those areas as well as expanding business development in newer areas.