New Awards Presented at the 2023 Economic Impact Awards Celebration

Each year, the Greater Des Moines Partnership awards regional companies for their roles in influencing the local economy in terms of job creation, facility expansion and capital investment. Through their work in the region, these award winners have made a significant contribution to Greater Des Moines (DSM) and are recognized for their efforts in continuing to create a place to live, work and play that increases the economic vitality here.

This year’s Economic Impact Awards included three new awards: the DSM Newcomer Award, the CRE Partner of the Year Award and two Economic Development Partner of the Year awards. See below for more information on these 2023 winners.

DSM Newcomer Award

Big Grove Brewery & Taproom

 

The DSM Newcomer Award was presented to Big Grove Brewery & Taproom for the company’s role in fostering community, architectural revitalization and being environmentally responsible while doing it. The brewery’s give-back initiative, “Big Grove for Good,” has seen thousands of dollars donated directly to the DSM community for environmental and social justice causes, including a nonprofit grant program of $24,000 to three local nonprofits. The renovation of the brewery’s portion of the former Crescent building was done in an environmentally friendly manner, installing bioswales giving environmental co-benefits due to their ability to reduce stormwater runoff, installing LED lighting and using energy-efficient equipment and using sustainable materials and recycling.

Big Grove was founded by Doug Goettsch, and mother-son team Faye and Matt Swift, opening their first location in Solon, Iowa, in 2013.Big Grove Brewery in DSM opened its doors in July 2022 in the one-story portion of the former Crescent Chevrolet building in the northwest corner of Downtown Des Moines (DSM). The new brewery and taproom occupies 12,000 square feet, employs 85 guest service, kitchen and brewery staff members and can host up to 880 people. Big Grove also operates a brewery and taproom in Iowa City and plans to open a Lagerhaus-style brewery in Cedar Rapids this fall.

CRE Partner of the Year

Justin Lossner, CCIM SIOR

 

The CRE Partner of the Year Award was presented to Justin Lossner, CCIM for his involvement in some of the most economically impactful projects in the DSM market, including:

• Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines’ $50 million renovation project (225,000 square-foot project)
• The largest lease in 801 Grand Ave history (110,000 square feet), reimagining the public skywalk
• ARAG’s relocation of their North American office headquarters
• Multiple 100,000+ square-foot office deals including Holmes Murphy, COOP, Met Life and Fiserv

Lossner serves as Senior Managing Director of JLL’s Des Moines office and has 20 years of experience as a licensed real estate broker. Along with his team, he has been involved in more than 1,223 transactions, totaling more than $1.64 billion in real estate volume. He represented the buyer of West Glen Town Center in West Des Moines, setting a record for the largest mixed-use sale in the market, and assisted with a 20-year growth plan for Prairie Trail in Ankeny. Lossner is also engaged in many DSM art and social causes.

Economic Development Partner of the Year

Beth Balzer

Beth Balzer was recognized as a 2023 Economic Development Partner of the Year for working with Iowa’s existing industry and some of the state’s largest companies on expansion and retention projects, accounting for nearly $5 billion in new capital investment and creating more than 14,000 jobs. These companies and projects included:

• Mrs. Clark’s Foods
• ProbioFerm
• Helena Industries
• Vermeer
• Lennox
• Multiple John Deere facilities, including the expansions of John Deere Financial, John Deere Des Moines Works and John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group

Economic Development Partner of the Year

Clyde Evans

 

Clyde Evans was recognized as a 2023 Economic Development Partner of the Year for his nearly 49 years involved with economic development. Much of this was during 32 years as the Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of West Des Moines. During his tenure with the City, the population increased from 32,000 to 70,000 and the City issued building permits valued at over $6.5 billion, resulting in the construction of almost 23.2 million square feet of commercial/office/industrial space.

Notable projects for the City during Evans’ tenure include:

• Jordan Creek Town Center
• Corporate headquarters for Wells Fargo, Athene, Sammons and IMT, to name a few.
• Development of five Microsoft data centers, which when completed will represent an investment of over $5.1 billion, construction of over 6.4 million square feet of space and currently employing over 450 people
• Redevelopment of the Historic Valley Junction neighborhood following the Floods of 1993, which resulted in a 3:1 return on the City’s funds
• Investment in the ValGate commercial district, including of the restoration of the historic Val Air Ballroom

Find more information on Partnership awards or sign up to learn more about the DSM’s growth by subscribing to Partnership newsletters.

 

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.