OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A report says that nearly $4 billion would have been part of the regional economy in 2012 if racial gaps in income, employment and education were closed in the Omaha area.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency released its “Heartland 2050 Equitable Growth Profile” on Tuesday. It says minorities, which help drive Omaha’s population growth, are less likely to have high school degrees and skills needed for the modern workforce.

The report offered several suggestions to decrease the disparities between races. Among the recommendations were for the city to provide more job training programs and invest in public infrastructure to create jobs.

MAPA’s executive director says the costs of inequity will increase unless the racial gaps are closed.