The Greater Des Moines Partnership recognized the 2022 Economic Impact Award winners on Wednesday. At left is the winner of the Entrepreneur Champion award, Jon Kallen, managing partner of Jennings Kallen Advisors. At right is Chris Costa, president and CEO at Knapp Properties and chair of the Partnership’s Economic Development Board. See photos of all the winners on the Partnership’s Facebook page. Photo submitted by the Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership announced the winners of the 2022 Economic Impact Awards Wednesday, during a ceremony at the Embassy Club in the Ruan Building.

This year marks the 40th year for the awards, which were created in 1982 to recognize and honor companies that have made significant contributions to the economic vitality of the region in capital investment, job creation and expansion.

This year’s winners were:

• Allegiant – In 2021, Allegiant invested $50 million to open a base of operations at the Des Moines International Airport, bringing dozens of new high-wage jobs to the community. Allegiant has flown thousands of passengers, hired almost 70 employees and now offers 17 routes. Additionally, the base has grown to three aircraft after launching with two Airbus A320s.
• Amazon North American Fulfillment – DSM5 – When Amazon’s DSM5 location opened in Bondurant in December 2020, the building’s safety team made it a mission to reduce waste in the community’s landfills. The team has successfully redirected 615,025 pounds of products worth more than $1.2 million toward the Iowa Food Bank, Balance Autism, Des Moines Public Schools and more. In addition to bringing environmental sustainability to the region, they also provided 1,000 new jobs to Central Iowa.
• Andersen Windows and Doors – Andersen is currently expanding its Des Moines operations with the addition of a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility located at 4161 Dixon Ave. The new manufacturing location will support recent growth of screen door products. The facility will add more than 100 jobs to the region. When the facility is completed, Andersen will operate over 400,000 square feet of manufacturing in the region with employment reaching over 500 employees.
• Landus – Landus’ first-of-its-kind Des Moines Innovation Connector will host farmer events that will bring at least 1,000 farmers to downtown Des Moines each year to connect them with global innovation leaders and give them an opportunity to leverage innovations more quickly. Currently, 11 innovation partners are featured at the Innovation Connector. In May, Landus announced a partnership with Des Moines Water Works for the purpose of improving Iowa water quality.
• Microsoft – Microsoft is celebrating 10 years in Central Iowa with its data centers that provide Microsoft Cloud services to billions around the world. With five campuses supporting hundreds of jobs in West Des Moines, the company is proud to have members of the community as part of the Microsoft team.
• The Weitz Co. – After an extensive remodeling project, Weitz recently moved into a new headquarters location in downtown Des Moines. Along with this milestone project, Weitz is building numerous projects around the region, including the Grimes Public Library, Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the new Animal Control Facility for the city of Des Moines and a full hotel room renovation project for Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino.
• Entrepreneur Champion: Jon Kallen, managing partner of Jennings Kallen Advisors LLC, is a licensed attorney and engineer with more than 20 years of experience working for large, diversified multinational energy companies, engineering consulting firms, and private equity and ventures renewable energy/infrastructure funds. Headquartered in Des Moines, Jennings Kallen Advisors is focused on environmental infrastructure, agricultural technology, biotechnology, sustainable manufacturing and renewable energy sectors. Kallen has assisted companies to raise more than $50 million in both equity and non-dilutive funding over the past five years.