Partnership Announces 2022 Economic Impact Awards Winners
GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Sept. 7, 2022) – The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced the winners of the 2022 Economic Impact Awards. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the Economic Impact Awards originated to recognize and honor companies that have recently made significant contributions to the economic vitality of Greater Des Moines (DSM) in terms of capital investment, job creation and facility expansion. Since 1982, dozens of companies have received the Economic Impact Award.
The 2022 Economic Impact Award winners are:
Allegiant
In 2021, Allegiant invested $50 million to open a base of operations at DSM Airport, bringing dozens of new high-wage jobs to the community. Allegiant has flown thousands of passengers, hired almost 70 employees and now offers 17 routes. Additionally, the base has grown to three aircraft after launching with two Airbus A320s.
Amazon North American Fulfillment – DSM5
When Amazon’s DSM5 location launched in Bondurant in December of 2020, the building’s Safety team made it a mission to reduce waste in the community’s landfills. The team has successfully redirected 615,025 pounds of products worth more than $1.2 million into the deserving hands of the Iowa Food Bank, Balance Autism, Des Moines Public Schools and more. In addition to bringing environmental sustainability to the region, their recent project also provided 1,000 new jobs to DSM.
Andersen Windows and Doors
Andersen is currently expanding its DSM operations with the addition of a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility located at 4161 Dixon Avenue. The new manufacturing location will support recent growth of screen door products. The facility will add more than 100 new manufacturing jobs to the region. When the facility is completed, Andersen will operate over 400,000 square feet of manufacturing in the region with employment reaching over 500 employees.
Landus
Landus’ first-of-its-kind Des Moines Innovation Connector will host farmer events that will bring at least 1,000 farmers to Downtown DSM each year. The events will connect farmers to global innovation leaders and give them an opportunity to leverage innovations more quickly. Currently, 11 innovation partners are featured at the Innovation Connector. In May, Landus announced a partnership with Des Moines Water Works where the two collaborate for the purpose of improving Iowa water quality.
Microsoft
Microsoft is excited to celebrate 10 years of calling DSM home for its state-of-the-art data centers which provide Microsoft Cloud services to billions around the world. With five campuses supporting hundreds of jobs in West Des Moines, the company is proud to have members of the DSM community as part of the Microsoft team.
The Weitz Company
After an extensive remodeling project, Weitz recently moved into a new headquarters location in Downtown DSM. Along with this milestone project for the company, Weitz is constructing numerous projects around the region, including the Grimes Public Library, Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the new Animal Control Facility for the City of Des Moines and a full hotel room renovation project for Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino. These projects continue to employ and improve the local community.
Entrepreneur Champion: Jon E. Kallen, M.S., Esq.
Jon Kallen, Managing Partner of Jennings Kallen Advisors, LLC, is a licensed attorney and engineer with more than 20 years of experience working for large, diversified multi-national energy companies, engineering consulting firms and private equity and ventures renewable energy/infrastructure funds. Headquartered in Des Moines, Jennings Kallen Advisors, LLC is a specialized strategic advisory practice focused on the environmental infrastructure, agricultural technology, biotechnology, sustainable manufacturing and renewable energy sectors. Kallen has assisted companies to raise more than $50 million in both equity and non-dilutive funding over the past five years.
Learn more information about each winner on The Partnership’s blog at DSMpartnership.com/blog.
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.