As we celebrate 10 years of Spark, we are proud to highlight the people who have helped shape this journey and strengthen our community of developers, partners, and neighborhood champions.
For this feature, we are excited to spotlight Kassie Inness, President of Metonic Real Estate Solutions and a member of Spark’s very first Developer Academy cohort. Over the past six years, Kassie has been an active leader in our developer network, bringing vision, dedication, and a commitment to neighborhood revitalization.
In this video, Kassie shares her Spark story, reflecting on how the relationships, opportunities, and experiences she gained through Spark have influenced her work and growth as a developer.
We are honored to feature Kassie as a Spark Champion and grateful for the impact she continues to make in our community.
Building Fremont’s Next Generation of Community Developers
Spark recently celebrated the successful completion of its first-ever Fremont Developer Academy, held from April 27–May 1, bringing together emerging developers, community leaders, and changemakers to build the knowledge and connections needed to help shape the future of their communities.
Through hands-on learning and collaboration, participants explored how thoughtful development can create opportunity, strengthen communities, and contribute to long-term prosperity. The Academy culminated in inspiring Capstone Presentations that showcased bold ideas and a strong commitment to community impact.
Congratulations to all of the participants for investing in their own growth and the future of their communities. We are excited to see where this momentum leads next!
Applications Are Open for Omaha's Developer Academy
Applications are now open for the 2026 Omaha Developer Academy! Whether you're an emerging developer or looking to strengthen your development skills, this immersive experience is designed to help you build knowledge, expand your network, and better understand the tools needed to bring impactful projects to life.
If you’ve been thinking about taking the next step in real estate development, now is the time to get ready. Applications close on August 8.
Help us welcome Danyell Price to the Spark family!
We’re excited to introduce Danyell as our new Real Estate Development Coordinator. With seven years of experience across property management, banking, insurance, and real estate sales, Danyell brings a well-rounded perspective and deep understanding of the real estate industry.
As a licensed real estate agent and active community contributor, Danyell serves on the Omaha Municipal Land Bank Board and is a member of the Urban Land Institute and Urban Financial Services Coalition. She is also a former member of CREW.
Danyell leads with a people-first mindset, believing that strong relationships are the foundation of every successful project and team. She is driven by growth, impact, and a passion for turning opportunity into something meaningful that extends far beyond the transaction.
Please join us in giving Danyell a warm Spark welcome!
Building Connection and Opportunity in North Omaha
On April 17, North Omaha celebrated two important milestones that reflect the strength, creativity, and potential of the community.
The day began with the groundbreaking of Phase 2 of the North Omaha Trail, an investment in connection, safety, and opportunity. This next phase will help strengthen connections across the community and create new opportunities for residents and neighborhoods to thrive.
The celebration continued with the grand reopening of the Fabric Lab, a space that supports creativity, entrepreneurship, and local talent. Together, these two milestones represent the energy and potential already present in North Omaha.
Spark's 2026 Nebraska Housing Legislative Report
What do a $1 documentary stamp tax increase, land banks, first-time homebuyer savings accounts, workforce housing funds, and a looming $600+ million budget shortfall have in common?
They all showed up at the Nebraska Legislature this year, and they all have the potential to shape what housing looks like across our state for years to come. Most people don't spend their free time reading legislative bills (and frankly, we don't recommend it).
That's why we put together Spark's 2026 Nebraska Housing Legislative Report. We dug through the bills, tracked the debates, followed the money, and pulled together what actually matters for developers, advocates, local leaders, and anyone who cares about Nebraska's housing future.
Grab a coffee. Give it a read. It's got policy wins, budget drama, and a preview of the fights likely coming in 2027.
Reignite2Unite Brought Our Development Community Together
On June 4, Spark hosted the third annual Reignite2Unite Omaha Development Symposium, bringing together more than 200 attendees and 30 presenters for a day focused on equitable solutions for affordable housing, land activation, and community development.
The symposium featured engaging breakout sessions, an inspiring keynote presentation from Charles Marohn of Strong Towns, and a field trip highlighting five development sites across the region. Together, these experiences created space for practical learning, new ideas, and meaningful connections.
We are grateful to the presenters who shared their time and expertise and to everyone who joined us. Events like Reignite2Unite help us come together to learn, collaborate, and build the relationships needed to create a more prosperous future for our region.
We are already looking forward to the fourth annual Reignite2Unite Omaha Development Symposium next year and continuing to bring our community together to learn, connect, and build what is next.
