Sarpy lands Cabela's expansion

In the next few years, Papillion could be home to a $15 million data center for Cabela’s and an adjacent three-story-tall technology development center.

Besides building a 16,000-square-foot data center over the next year, Cabela’s also wants to start a second project at the Papillion Business and Technology Park.

The second facility wouldn’t be built until after the company completes its new data center, officials said. The data center is slated to open in January 2011 and bring around 20 jobs.

The technology development center could mean as many as 50 more jobs.

Cabela’s envisions that the technology development center would be 50,000 square feet and include space for up to 100 work stations, if needed.

Papillion City Administrator Dan Hoins said Friday that he hoped Cabela’s would begin construction of the second facility in “one to three years.”

“That would be a nice time frame for us,” Hoins said. “It is more than speculation. When you are talking about 50 new jobs, that makes a big impact in any community.”

Papillion Mayor David Black said he is thrilled that the Nebraska-based, nationally known outdoor retailer wants to establish roots in his city.

“In this current economy, we are pleased to be able to continue to grow, attract business and create quality jobs for area residents,” Black said. “Cabela’s success in their La Vista retail location, and their choice to place their data center for their worldwide business operations in Papillion, is more evidence of how Sarpy County is primed to continue to grow and serve as an economic engine for the state of Nebraska.”

The Cabela’s data center in Papillion will provide technology support for the company’s business operations, which include catalogs, e-commerce sites and 30 retail stores in the U.S. and Canada.

The second facility, if built, would house computer programmers and other information technology specialists, the company said.

On hand for Friday’s announcement was Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman, who praised Cabela’s.

“I’m very, very proud of them,” Heineman said. “This is very, very significant because this is the future.”

The governor said the data center will provide decent-paying information technology jobs to help keep younger families and students in Nebraska.

Cabela’s said it selected Papillion because of its competitive utility rates, friendly business climate and the prime location that offers room for expansion.

The company would be the sixth entity to locate inside Papillion’s business park. Other tenants include the Papillion Police Department, Heartland Family Services and InfoUSA.

Cabela’s agreed to pay Papillion nearly $536,000 for the land in the business park. In turn, Papillion would spend about $377,000 for infrastructure improvements.

Contact the writer:

444-1056, john.ferak@owh.com