2020 Economic Impact Award Winners Announced
GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Friday, Oct. 16, 2020) — The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced the winners of the 2020 Economic Impact Awards. The Economic Impact Awards recognize Greater Des Moines (DSM) companies that have had a significant influence on the local economy in terms of job creation, capital investment and facility expansion.
The 2020 Economic Impact Award winners are:
Amazon
Last year, Amazon announced plans to open its first fulfillment center in the state of Iowa in the city of Bondurant. The site, which is anticipated to launch later this year, will create more than 1,000 new full-time jobs where employees will work alongside Amazon robotics to pick, pack and ship small items to customers such as books, electronics and toys.
F&G
F&G, the marketing name for Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company, considers the health, safety and well-being of employees its top priority. It has made progress on the construction of a new office space in 801 Grand in Downtown DSM that will allow it to create an environment conducive to a safe and effective workplace. The new office space also creates room for the growth the company has experienced in 2020 — approximately 100 new employees so far this year — and will continue to experience moving forward so that every employee has a dedicated seat.
Facebook
The Altoona Data Center was Facebook’s fourth global data center and, today, is among the company’s largest data center campuses in the world. Facebook first broke ground on the Altoona Data Center in April 2013, and the data center began serving traffic the following year. Since then, four separate expansions have been announced resulting in a commitment of eight buildings and nearly 3.5 million square feet. The Altoona Data Center now represents an investment of approximately $2 billion for DSM, supports more than 1,300 construction workers at peak and, once completed, will support more than 400 operational jobs.
Kreg Tool Company
Kreg Tool Company is in the process of constructing a 150,000-square-foot-facility in Ankeny that will house all office and operations staff. Located in the Crosswinds Business Park development just south of the Department of Transportation, this new facility will be better equipped to accommodate Kreg’s continued growth needs and will also provide opportunities for job growth due to its location. Furthermore, the facility will enable Kreg to continue its growth trajectory by providing the space, technology, visibility and efficiency to meet current customers’ needs, while expanding international sales and developing new digital channels for the company’s products and services. Construction is expected to conclude in late summer/early fall of 2021 and employees will begin occupying the beautiful new space shortly thereafter.
Sammons Financial Group
Sammons Financial Group will move into its new corporate headquarters building in late 2020. Designed to accommodate the company’s growth for the next 10-to-20 years, the corporate campus will provide space for approximately 800 employees, allowing for long-term workforce growth in the decade ahead. Sammons Financial Group currently has nearly 600 employees in the West Des Moines area. Located at 8300 Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines, the 215,000-square foot headquarters will provide space, safety and functionality for current and future teams and departments.
The Waldinger Corporation
The Waldinger Corporation now has more than 2,500 manufacturing, service and construction professionals anchored by the Des Moines-based team in Waldinger’s new headquarters at 6200 Scout Trail. The 210,000 square-foot building, with construction finalized in the summer of 2020, was designed to be a flexible, light-filled space featuring progressive technology, comfort and safety features — a place where people can do their best work. Air-conditioned manufacturing space and solar arrays on the roof support productive workspaces and best-of-class energy efficiency. The company’s future growth also played into planning of the facility, which will accommodate continued expansion of people and services on the 30-acre site.
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.