h digitalfootprint web 728x90

Economic Development

DSC 6869

Iowa unemployment rate rises to 3.9 percent

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 3.9 percent in April from 3.8 percent in March. That’s up from 3.7 percent a year ago. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 5 percent in April. “Although Iowa’s …

DSC 6869

New initiative focuses on African-American wealth gap in Des Moines

African-Americans experience joblessness at a rate more than two times that of whites in Des Moines, a sign of the racial wealth divide that’s prevalent across the United States. Nationally, wealth among white families is…
27615

Indianola: Pennies pay for brighter city

On March 1, Indianola voters approved adding a penny to the sales tax charged on retail sales in the city, the Warren County seat of government, a mere 20-minute drive south of Des Moines.

The …

DSC 6869

Newton: Minus Maytag

Frank Liebl winces when he still hears someone refer to his city as “poor Newton.” But he’s hearing that expression less often as the city continues its steady recovery from the loss of Maytag Corp. …

DSC 6869

Pella: More than dutch letters

Karen Eischen knows what’s going on in Pella. 

Eischen, executive director of the Pella Chamber of Commerce, helps guide development from her upper-level office in a remodeled visitors hub northwest of a tidy town square …

DSC 6869

Downtown to get more than 1,000 high-tech jobs in major lease and construction deal for Des Moines

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., a multinational corporation that is based in New Jersey with a presence in Des Moines, plans to hire more than 1,000 people and occupy office space in Two Ruan Center as…
DSC 6869

Capital Crossroads 2.0 kicks off with survey launch

Atlanta-based consultant Market Street Services is back in town. Leaders are signing on to guide work on the 10 capitals. And Capital Crossroads 2.0, the area’s latest visioning process, officially launches today.


You can fill…
DSC 6869

Des Moines to host regional leadership conference

Greater Des Moines will host the Association of Leadership Programs’ Midwest Regional Conference on June 16 and 17. The host organizations -Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, Regional Leadership Council of Central Iowa and a collaboration …

DSC 6869

MPO awards $13 million for 18 transportation projects

The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has awarded $13 million for 18 transportation projects that include new road sections, bridges and maintenance. Included are grants for the Southeast Connector and the Court Avenue bridge in …

DSC 6869

Partnership D.C. trip recap

I tagged along as the Greater Des Moines Partnership logged its 37th annual lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., with nearly 200 community leaders. The trip May 11-13 was my second.  

The sessions hit hot …

rebuildingtogether brd 060125 300x250 1