Regional Economic Development
Regional economic development is the cornerstone of the Partnership’s priorities. By building on our successes over the past several years, Des Moines will continue to experience economic vitality that reaches across the region. Our regional economic development goals include:
- Assisting with 20 existing business expansions
- Assisting with 10 new company locations
- Increasing capital investment by $150 million
Workforce Attraction
Greater Des Moines’ business growth – thanks in no small part to our regional economic development efforts – has made it necessary to ramp up our workforce attraction initiatives. Greater Des Moines is a community with an unmatched quality of life – now, we must tell the world our story. Workforce Attraction goals are:
- Leading the implementation of a regional workforce delivery system to measurably connect business employment needs and job seekers
- Attracting workforce by increasing awareness of Greater Des Moines’ job opportunities through direct contact with a minimum of 20,000 potential workers
- Utilizing new technology to expand recruitment capabilities through an enhanced online job brokering system, new media marketing and unique and innovative messaging
Affiliate-Regional Member Business Development
The Partnership works regionally to build relationships in pursuit of a world-class community with one voice, one mission, and one regional identity. With the creation of the “dual membership” model that is now offered in conjunction with the region’s affiliate chambers, the Partnership’s voice has been elevated to over 4,000 member businesses strong. A combined Affiliate-Partnership strategic leadership team has developed 2008 goals, including:
- Transitioning 90% of members to Affiliate chambers
- Delivering a first-time Regional Member/Investor Directory and achieving 100% utilization of a centralized CRM system
- Measuring regional member satisfaction by delivering two quantitative surveys
- Delivering joint Affiliate-Partnership messages at least once weekly to the 4,000-plus regional members
Downtown Development
Maintaining the momentum that downtown Des Moines has enjoyed – thanks to unprecedented investment over the past decade – is another key priority. A strong region requires a thriving core, so 2008 goals for downtown development include:
- Attracting, retaining or expanding eight businesses in Downtown Des Moines, to create/retain 700 jobs and increase capital investment by $50 million
- Developing a strategic plan to market vacant building spaces and creating an implementation strategy for the Downtown Plan
- Producing five major downtown events with a collective attendance of at least 275,000, as well as delivering the traditional Farmer’s Market and two seasonal markets with an increased satisfaction level and a 10% increase in attendance
Learn more at Downtown Events Group and Downtown Community Alliance |
