7 DSM Businesses Recognized at the 2021 Economic Impact Awards

While the December 15 windstorm may have blown the 2021 Economic Impact Awards reception date into 2022, the rescheduled event went off without a hitch. Being the first Economic Impact Awards celebration I had the privilege to plan and execute, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I experienced was a night of celebration, encouragement and innovation.

The evening kicked off with opening remarks from the event’s MC – Brian Crowe, executive VP of economic development at the Partnership – as well as Chris Conetzkey from the event’s media sponsor, the Business Record. The awards were lively and focused on celebrating companies and the impact they are having to the growing economy of our 10-county Greater Des Moines (DSM) region. Selected winners could boast international facilities as well as locally headquartered sites in a variety of industries and sizes.

EIA Winners

This year, seven companies were awarded in recognition of their contributions toward the economic vitality of DSM. The 2021 lineup of winners included:

• Lely North America
• Premier Tech
• i2-tech
• Vermeer Corporation
• Helena Industries, LLC
• Des Moines Industrial
• Mrs. Clark's Foods

Company leaders, their staff and area guests enjoyed a networking cocktail hour at the Downtown Embassy Club followed by an awards ceremony in the venue’s ballroom, which overlooks the twinkling evening lights of a vibrant Downtown DSM. In recent years, these seven companies contributed $263M in capital investment, 371 in local jobs and almost 1.2M new square feet in business expansions. They are more than deserving of this year’s recognition and we hope you as a community will join us in congratulating them!

The 2022 awards will take place in September this year, barring any new weather conditions Iowa decides to bring our way!

Learn more about The Partnership’s various awards and applications here.

Greater Des Moines (DSM) has one of the best business climates in the country. The region is nationally recognized for having a talented and educated workforce, a cost of doing business 13% below the national average, a low cost of living and an exceptional quality of life.