2025 Community Call To Action

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is committed to fulfilling its 2025 Strategic Priorities. The Partnership’s vision is to unite the Greater Des Moines (DSM) community to drive economic growth with one voice, one mission, as one region. 

Strategic Priorities

PRIORITY: Economic Development 

Increase regional economic development project leads, expand pipeline of prospects, assist business location and expansions. The Partnership team will continue to develop and cultivate relationships with national and international companies and site selectors to add projects to our pipeline and will serve as the go-to resource for local companies looking to expand. 

• Learn more about economic development assistance offered by The Partnership. 
• Learn more about the DSM RFI Ready program. 
• To learn more about economic, demographic and workforce data in DSM, visit DSM USA Research, Stats & Data Hub. 

PRIORITY: Workforce Readiness

Advancing workforce readiness across the region is essential to strengthening the community and economy. By increasing participation in Partnership talent development programs, we can equip individuals with the skills and resources needed to thrive in the job market of today and tomorrow. 

• Discover the Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective, a dynamic work-based learning initiative designed to connect high school students with professional development opportunities and local employers. Get involved by exploring sponsorship or volunteer opportunities that help shape the future workforce. For more details, reach out to Lexi Schafer. The Career Ready Collective is funded by the Principal Charity Classic’s Legacy Project with support from Sammons Financial. 
• Learn more about the DSM Intern Connection program. Consider sponsorship or volunteer opportunities. Encourage your summer college interns to register to participate in this free program. For more information, reach out to Anne Lowder.
• In partnership with the Business Publications Corporation, The Partnership published a new Welcome to DSM Guide for new and potential residents to DSM. To request copies, reach out to Anne Lowder. 
• The Partnership offers Executive Tours that provide a unique opportunity for executive-level candidates for positions at Partnership Investor organizations to receive a personalized tour of the region. The Partnership team offers this service to support the recruitment efforts employers undergo to bring executive and leadership level talent to the DSM region. Schedule a tour or learn more by reaching out to Alex Lynch.

PRIORITY: Quality of Life and Regional Community Integration

Enhance quality of life through leading regional community integration, supporting Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, and enhancing the vibrancy of the region by hosting marquee events and supporting placemaking projects.

• If your community has a quality of life project or initiative is working on, let The Partnership team know so we can help spread the word. Reach out to Kyle Oppenhuizen and Courtney Shaw.
• Learn how you can be involved in the can't-miss second annual Regional Summit by contacting Alex Lynch. 

PRIORITY: Inclusive Economic Growth and Business Support 

Advance inclusive economic growth and business support. In 2024, The Partnership conducted a Global DSM Talent Study to identify opportunities in supporting global talent. Key findings from this study will be activated in 2025. Through this priority, The Partnership will build on the work through the Brookings Metro Regional Inclusive Growth Network, as well as the work of the Scale DSM Business Incubator and Spark DSM Business Accelerator. 

• Learn more about Spark DSM.
• Learn more about Scale DSM.
• Check out this video highlighting the 2024 Scale DSM Cohort. 

PRIORITY: Media Relations and Storytelling

Amplify the DSM USA story loud, bold and broad through media relations, website efforts and rural, urban and suburban strategic storytelling. 

• Help us share the story of Greater Des Moines! Reach out to Kyle Oppenhuizen and Courtney Shaw with regional storytelling ideas.

PRIORITY: Investor Engagement

Enhance Investor engagement and secure new Investor contributions.

• Stay tuned for information on the DSM Executive Stewardship Council, a program to connect and engage new leaders with other influential leaders throughout our community to foster even deeper connections to support the future of our region.  

2024 Annual Report

In 2024, we continued moving forward together to obtain high-value results. Download the 2024 Annual Report to see the region’s accomplishments. 

Download 2024 Annual Report

For Investors, Affiliates and Members

Are you interested in learning more about The Partnership's work?

• Discover the importance of the Affiliate Chambers of Commerce network and the Membership benefits that your organization can obtain by joining your local Chamber and becoming a Member of The Partnership through the Dual Membership Model. 
• Sign up to receive Partnership Newsletters. 
• Follow The Partnership on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date with the latest Partnership news. 
• Learn more about how to get involved on a Partnership Board, Council or Committee, or other volunteer leadership opportunity, by checking out our Investor Engagement Opportunities 
• Check out our Investor Checklist to learn how to take advantage of your time as an Investor. 
• Not yet an Investor? Reach out to Angie Stepsis to learn more.