OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The TD Ameritrade headquarters was built just about six and a half years ago and houses over a thousand workers. But it was announced Monday that Charles Schwab bought the company and is moving its headquarters to Texas.
Now both sides say people are going to lose their jobs but just how much is still an open question.
"I think it's yet to be determined how many jobs and what type of jobs might leave,"
Anthony Hendrickson, Dean of Business, Creighton University.
It's too early to tell, but it may not be as bad as it seems. That's the message from Anthony Hendrickson, Dean of Creighton's Business School after TD Ameritrade announced a merger with Charles Schwab.
The companies officially announced the deal today, saying operations will eventually be moved to the Dallas, Texas area.
But with a fairly new building and solid economic factors, Hendrickson thinks some business could stay here.
"Productivity of our workforce, our cost of living, makes it a palatable idea that we would be perhaps, a place that they'd keep a significant amount of operations,” says Hendrickson.
Governor Pete Ricketts said in a statement that he's going to make the case to stay in Nebraska.
“In the coming days, I will work to personally make the case to Schwab to stay committed to Omaha. Our cost of doing business is incredibly competitive and our people are the most hardworking in the nation. We can help Schwab be successful and take their business to the next level as they compete nationally and internationally,” says Ricketts.
"Nothing is done until it's done, and there's always the chance that an influential party could come in and change the minds of those people,” says Hendrickson.
If there are layoffs, Mayor Jean Stothert says there are plenty of other opportunities in Omaha.
"Our concern is for the employees. While we don't yet know the impact on the Omaha workforce, we are prepared to work with our partner, the Greater Omaha Chamber, to assist employees in any capacity we can,” says Stothert.
The announcement comes right as the Nebraska Legislature is set to debate a business tax incentive bill.
Omaha State Senator Megan Hunt is skeptical of this legislation, saying TD Ameritrade got millions from taxpayers and now appears to be leaving.
"We have no evidence that it keeps them in Nebraska, they'll move to Texas, they'll move to Chicago, they're going to move where they want, where they can get the most pot of money and maybe in Nebraska we're going to have to think of a different strategy,” says Hunt.
While Hunt hopes they can be convinced to stay, she knows the company is going to be looking at the bottom line.
"They don't owe us anything, you can make a plea, please think about the families, please think about the children, the jobs you're bringing out of our community, but that's not what their liability is to,” says Hunt.
