MidAmerican Energy Co. exec Kathryn Kunert took over as chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership board Thursday as the Partnership releases its priorities for 2019.


Dan Houston, Principal Financial Group chairman, president and CEO, had led the board for the past year and a half — an unusually long stint brought on by the resignation of Don Pearson of Wells Fargo, who transferred to Phoenix. Kunert’s long history of working in Partnership roles included her recent stint as vice chair. 

The Partnership set five themes for 2019:
— Ensure a talent-ready region.
— Embolden the global presence of Greater Des Moines.
— Innovate and accelerate.
— Tell the region’s story.
— Prepare for the day when the local population is 1 million.
— Work on major placemaking projects.

The themes led to these strategic priorities:
— Increase the number of working-age adults who have completed postsecondary education. That includes the work of Education Drives our Greater Economy, or EDGE, and Future Ready Iowa, both of which support continued education to train the workforce. The Partnership wants to make Greater Des Moines an education center for tech jobs, create a regional career expo for middle and high school students, and build on Code DSM academy. 


— Establish a transload facility in Des Moines, with construction beginning this year.


— Act on plans for an adventure park along the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers in downtown Des Moines, to complement the Lauridsen Skatepark expected to open this summer. A new organization will be created to help shepherd the work.


— Build support for a new terminal at Des Moines International Airport.


— Assist small business and entrepreneurs, in part through the Small Business Resources Hub on the Partnership website, an online Mentor Connection, and co-sponsoring Dwolla’s Monetery event. 


Houston shared economic development highlights for ’18, which included:
— 26 business expansions.
— 10 new company locations.
— $1.29 billion in capital investment.
— Creating or keeping 1,300 jobs.