2022 Economic Impact Award Winners Foster Collaboration + Innovation

This year, six companies and one entrepreneur champion received a 2022 Economic Impact Award from the Greater Des Moines Partnership for their roles in advancing the regional economy. Through their work in the region, this year’s winners made significant contributions to Greater Des Moines (DSM) by adding 600 new jobs, building more than 1.3 million square feet of facility space and contributing $1.19 billion in capital investment. The Economic Impact Awards are a chance to recognize and celebrate their efforts, which continue to create a place to live, work and play while also increasing the economic vitality.

Below, read about three of the companies chosen for the award and check out the other two blog posts to learn about the rest of the awardees.

Landus

Newly opened in Downtown Des Moines (DSM), Landus’ first-of-its-kind Innovation Connector — an intersection of cutting-edge agriculture technology, farmers and urban audiences.

The goal of the Innovation Connector is to directly place farmers at the heart of agricultural innovation in a space that fosters collaboration and drives Iowa agriculture toward a more- sustainable future.

The 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. They include AGI, Grain Weevil, Haber Technologies, CapstanAg, Drift, ChopLocal, Indigo, Yara, Sukup, Midland and Intellinair.

By also inviting urban stakeholders, Landus has created a holistic approach that brings together the key segments of agriculture — from farm to table and the technology in between.

The launch of the Innovation Connector is one of many steps the cooperative is taking to keep farmers the focus of ag innovation. 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 enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. 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.

The company is proud to have members of the DSM community as part of the Microsoft team.

The Weitz Company

The Weitz Company is a full-service construction company, general contractor, design-builder and construction manager founded and headquartered in DSM for over 167 years.

Over the years, Weitz has grown to be a national company with over 10 office locations across the United States and more than 1,000 employees.

While nationally recognized, Weitz still considers DSM home. Weitz has been awarded Best General Contractor in Business Record’s Best of Des Moines awards for the past 24 years and continues to be a leader in the DSM region’s market.

After an extensive remodeling project, Weitz recently moved into a new headquarters location at 611 5th Avenue 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.

To learn more about the Economic Impact Awards, as well as other Partnership award applications, click here.

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.