Greater Des Moines Partnership Hosts Partnership 101 with Iowa’s Congressional Staff

The Greater Des Moines Partnership recently hosted Partnership 101, an event designed to strengthen relationships with Iowa’s Congressional delegation and their staff while showcasing regional priorities and projects that are shaping the future of Greater Des Moines (DSM). Congressional staff representing every member of Iowa’s delegation attended the event.

Partnership 101 provided staffers with an opportunity to learn more about The Partnership, meet with Investors and Members, and see firsthand the transformational projects happening across the region. Highlights included tours and presentations from Des Moines University (DMU), the City of West Des Moines, a Rural Economic Development Panel and the MidAmerican Energy RecPlex.

At Des Moines University, President Dr. Angela Franklin shared DMU’s history and the vision for its new West Des Moines campus, emphasizing the critical need to grow and retain Iowa’s health care workforce. Dr. Joseph Jones led a campus tour, showcasing the innovative learning environment DMU provides for students.

At the MidAmerican Energy RecPlex, Ryan Moffatt, Community & Economic Development Director for the City of West Des Moines, outlined the city’s forward-looking projects, including plans for an indoor water park, redevelopment of the area of Valley West Mall, and other placemaking initiatives.

The program also featured a Rural Economic Development Panel with:

• Kate Bowermaster, Workforce Development Director, Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce
• Monica Chavez-Silva, Vice President of Community Engagement & Strategic Planning, Grinnell College
• Brenda Dudley, Director, Midwest Partnership Economic Development
• Doug Stewart, CEO, Pella Cooperative Electric
• Alex Lynch, Director of Regional Community Integration, Greater Des Moines Partnership (Moderator)

Panelists highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in rural communities, while addressing shared challenges such as housing, child care and workforce. They also discussed creative approaches tailored to their local needs.

Following the panel, attendees toured the RecPlex to see how public-private partnerships are driving community growth and quality of life in DSM.

The Partnership team provided an overview of The Partnership’s work in Economic Development, Talent, and Public Policy, including key 2025 Federal Policy Agenda priorities:

• Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Preserve a pro-growth tax environment by addressing expiring provisions.
• Housing: Expand housing options through new funding and policies, including a Conversion Tax Credit.
• Child Care: Increase investment and support policies that expand child care access and strengthen the workforce, including expanded access to 7A and 504 microloans for nonprofit providers.
• Immigration: Modernize the immigration system to address workforce shortages and grow the economy, including expansion of the Conrad 30 waiver program.
• U.S. 65 Interstate Designation: Support upgrading U.S. 65 to interstate status and increasing weight and size exemptions along the corridor.

The Partnership extends its gratitude to Iowa’s Congressional delegation and staff for their engagement in Partnership 101 and for their continued support of regional and federal priorities that strengthen the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s 12 County Region.

The Partnership's Public Policy team engages with local, state and federal officials to create public policy that generates economic growth, business prosperity and talent development in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Learn about state and federal legislators advocating for the region and how you can become involved by attending an upcoming state policy or advocacy event. The Partnership is a nonpartisan organization.