GREATER DES MOINES, Iowa,
Jan. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- This morning, the Greater
Des Moines Partnership shared its 2020 accomplishments and provided
details on its 2021 priorities at the DSM 202ONE Annual
Kickoff.
The Partnership announced the results of its economic
development work with state and local partners which included 14
existing company expansions, six new company locations,
$1.26 billion in capital investment
and 1,658 jobs created or retained. Additionally, speakers
presented on The Partnership's work in 2020 and ongoing efforts to
support small businesses, advance regional inclusion efforts, push
forward on major placemaking projects and more. Some of the
highlights include:
- More than 200 people signed the CEO Commitment to Racial Equity
in DSM.
- More than 700 people attended The Partnership's virtual
Inclusion Forum and additional 800 individuals attended DEI
webinars.
- $1.7 million awarded to 292
companies through Small Business Recovery Grant program, and 325
heaters provided to more than 60 local restaurants through the
Extend the Season Grant.
- 100 DSM leaders served on the DSM Forward Task Force, guiding
creation of 16 industry and 6 business function playbooks to help
business recovery.
- Created the COVID-19 Rapid Response Hub, displaying real-time
resources for the DSM business community.
- Worked with regional partners to advance efforts on major
projects including the Central Iowa Water Trails project, the
Firehouse Community Campus, USL Pro Iowa Soccer Stadium and Global
Plaza, Lauridsen Skatepark and Des
Moines International Airport new terminal.
- Hosted thousands of attendees at virtual and social distanced
events including Downtown Farmers' Market presented by UnityPoint
Health – Des Moines drive-through
markets, World Food & Music Celebration, In for Lunch, DSM Book
Festival, Historic East Village Holiday Promenade and Brenton
Skating Plaza.
Learn more in The Partnership's 2020 Annual Report video.
"The 'power of one' allowed us to meet the challenges of the
moment in 2020, and it allowed us to support the community in ways
that we could not have imagined in the past," said 2020 Partnership
Board Chair Tom Mahoney, Chairman of
the Board of ITA Group Holdings. "Because of the power of one, The
Partnership was able to pivot and increase programs, best practices
and new strategies, while also building momentum and strategic
initiatives for the future."
During the program, Partnership 2021 Board Chair Fred Buie, President of Keystone Electrical
Manufacturing Company, discussed in further detail The
Partnership's 18-month strategies that began in July 2020 and continue through the end of
2021:
- Inclusion: Focus on implementing Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion (DEI) connections, programs and services that deliver
professional-level expertise, training and development
opportunities to The Partnership's 365+ Investors, 24 Affiliate
Chambers and 6,500 Members.
- Broadband Expansion: Increase connectivity to broadband
in our 10-county region to improve access to distance learning,
telecommuting and telehealth and bolster startup business and
e-commerce activity.
- Talent Pipeline: Enhance the DSM talent pipeline and
prepare DSM for the Future World of Work.
- Talent & Economic Development Marketing: Attract and
retain businesses and a diverse breadth of talent.
- Business Recovery, Retention & Expansion:
Heighten the focus on business recovery, retention and expansion
through conducting outreach to businesses to assess needs and
outline a plan to address their needs.
- Placemaking: Move forward on placemaking projects
including the Central Iowa Water Trails, Pro Iowa Soccer Stadium
and Global Plaza, Des Moines
International Airport terminal expansion, Lauridsen Skatepark and
more.
Learn how to take action on The Partnership's 2021 Strategic
Priorities.
"Thanks to the work of our Investors, Affiliates, Members and
regional stakeholders, we have already put the wheels in motion for
a strong year — a year of hope, a year of recovery," Buie said. "We
are collaborative. We are forward-thinking. We work together across
the public, private and nonprofit sectors. These elements will help
us push these strategic priorities and major projects forward in
2021."
The Partnership also announced its 2021 Board of Directors and
Executive Board. In addition to Buie and Mahoney's roles,
Rowena Crosbie with Tero
International, Inc. and Mike McCoy
with NCMIC Group, Inc. will serve as Vice Chairs. Sean Vicente with KPMG LLC will serve as
Secretary/Treasurer.
This year's DSM 202ONE Annual Kickoff presentation was headlined
by Nick Nurse, an Iowa native and head coach of the NBA's
Toronto Raptors. Nurse took questions from WHO-HD's Jodi Long.
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community
development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of
Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than
365 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one
voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic
planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows
opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place
to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more
at DSMpartnership.com.
Contact:
Courtney Shaw
cshaw@DSMpartnership.com
(405) 747-8757
Learn More About DSM USA
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