At the end of our Economic Forecast event, there are always questions and discussions that there isn’t time to cover. So, the day after the event, host Chris Conetzkey asked several of the panelists back along with an event attendee to hear what questions and thoughts lingered for them after hearing the panel’s insights. GUESTS:

Google Fiber has announced $5,000 donations to four local nonprofits and the chance to vote for one nonprofit to receive an additional $5,000. As part of its “More to Love” Giving Campaign, GFiber is donating $5,000 each to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, the Des Moines…

Lead DSM has announced the participants and mentors selected for its 2026 Community Connect program, a five-session initiative that began on Jan. 20. The program links participants’ exploration of personal purpose with opportunities for community engagement across Greater Des Moines. Guided by local mentors, participants learn to connect their interests to meaningful civic involvement, often…

The Greater Des Moines Partnership has opened registration for the 2026 Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective, a six-week summer program aimed at helping local high school students develop professional skills and explore career paths. Programming begins June 12 and runs through July 24 at Principal’s corporate offices, focusing on leadership, communication, time management and financial…

Marshalltown had the highest unemployment rate among Iowa’s cities in December, with 8.8% of the community’s workforce unemployed, data from Iowa Workforce Development shows. According to the data, 1,200 people in Marshalltown’s workforce of 13,900 were unemployed in December. Among Iowa’s cities, Marshalltown had the highest unemployment rate in 10 of the 11 months data…

Storey Kenworthy & Workspace Foundation for Giving announced it has opened its 2026 grant application period for eligible nonprofit organizations, running through March 31. The foundation will award three grants of $10,000 each to organizations whose initiatives align with its core philanthropic priorities: children’s safety and abuse prevention, support for veterans and first responders, and…