The Greater Des Moines Partnership reports that Des Moines is one of six metropolitan areas selected to develop a regional plan, with the help of the Global Cities Initiative, to attract and leverage foreign direct investment. The effort will build off the Partnership’s Regional Export Plan. Global Cities Initiative is a joint project of the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Launched in 2012, it helps business and civic leaders grow their metropolitan economies by strengthening international connections and competitiveness. GCI activities include producing data and research to guide decisions, fostering practice and policy innovations, and facilitating a peer-learning network. The program will provide in-kind assistance but no grants. Other communities selected were Atlanta; Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, S.C.; Los Angeles; Milwaukee; and Syracuse, N.Y. Read more