OMAHA — A jingle created and sung by Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. especially for the occasion kicked off a groundbreaking Saturday for a grocery store described as key to restoring dignity and economic vitality to one of Nebraska’s most distressed areas.

The full-service grocery in North Omaha  — to be run as a social enterprise by nonprofit Heart Ministry Center — is to span 25,000 square feet, about half the size of an American football field.

It is funded partially by a state grant program intended to boost revival of impoverished areas most hurt by the pandemic. An official previously estimated the price tag at about $7 million. The state awarded $1.5 million.

Yet to be named, the market will rise on a few vacant acres southwest of 25th and Lake streets and offer fresh, affordable food while creating jobs for community members and graduates of Heart Ministry’s Fresh Start job training program. That program serves as a hands-on workforce pipeline for people overcoming crises and on the path to self-sufficiency.

Ewing commended supporters for promoting job creation and economic growth.

“A grocery store may seem like one building, but what we’re really celebrating today is access, dignity, opportunity and investment in the future of North Omaha,” Ewing said.

He said that something “as basic as fresh food” should not depend on one’s zip code.

Omaha City Council member LaVonya Goodwin, whose district includes the project site in the heart of North Omaha, said it has been 58 years since the neighborhood had a full-service grocery store. 

She used words like “monumental” and said the effort represented a commitment to “holistically restoring a people and a community.”

Reflecting on how a grocery store might help rebuild a neighborhood, Goodwin recounted strategic discussions she’s had with economic development experts. There’s a burning question: “What comes first? The housing, the infrastructure, the safety, the security — or the services and amenities?”

She said programs and infrastructure can be built. “But what’s really going to holistically support the community? Does anybody deliberately move back to a community where there is not a grocery store,” or perhaps a dry cleaner, shoe repair, dentist or doctor’s office?

Goodwin and others said they view the grocery project as another catalyst that can improve “livability” in its North Omaha area and snowball into broader economic development.

Also at the event, which drew about 150 people, were Chris Rodgers of the Douglas County Board, Heart Ministry board members and a representative of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

The DED-administered North and South Omaha Recovery Grant program, which awarded about $235 million to multiple projects and organizations in the target areas, directed $1.5 million of public funds toward the effort. 

Damany “Dom” Rahn, Heart Ministry’s chief executive, said previously that key philanthropic donors asked for anonymity. 

But zoning and other agreements identify RH Land Management Co. as owner of the land and the corporation proposing to build the project and make site improvements. RH Land Management is affiliated with Susie Buffett’s nonprofit Sherwood Foundation. The Heart Ministry continues to raise funds for the effort.

Rahn, also speaking at the project site, said the center is seeking community input on what to name the grocery store he describes as more of an investment in the area’s health and stability. It’ll be a disrupter to a food desert and operate as a nonprofit, with a mission to provide affordable food.

Ewing, who grew up in North Omaha, called Saturday a milestone. The Democrat who unseated three-term Republican Jean Stothert in 2025 said he was encouraged to write a tune for the occasion, and kiddingly said he took a “huge risk” at sharing it on stage. 

“I cannot sing,” the mayor told those gathered, including his wife, Viv. But he said that one of his goals when he retired from the Omaha Police Department was to have more fun than anyone else. He first sang alone, then asked the audience to join in. 

“Here we go: 

“Down the road there’s a grocery store. Thank you, Heart Ministry Center. Dignity for all. That’s our battle cry.”

*Watch a video of Mayor John Ewing Jr. singing at the event on September 19, 2026 on the Nebraska Examiner’s website.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/09/21/omaha-mayor-breaks-into-song-crowd-cheers-state-aided-north-omaha-market/