Greater Des Moines is Growing — and the World is Noticing

Greater Des Moines Collaboration

This collaboration is one of the drivers that has led to a significant amount of projects activity. More than $5.7 billion in capital investment and economic development activity is currently underway or advancing across the Greater Des Moines region, with an additional $2 billion in active projects in the pipeline. In 2026, the region has celebrated a significant amount of successful economic development activity.

• Vylor: Corteva’s future independent seed and genetics business has selected Johnston as its global headquarters location.
• Vermeer Manufacturing Facility: A 300,000-square-foot facility built on 186 acres in Bondurant, Iowa will support 300+ jobs related to manufacturing.
• Robinson Manufacturing Facility: Wisconsin-based Robinson, Inc. will invest $76 million in facility upgrades to a newly constructed manufacturing space outside Altoona, Iowa and create 100 jobs.
• Newton Rail Park: Iowa Interstate Railroad and leaders from the City of Newton, Newton Economic Development, Jasper County and Jasper County Economic Development Corp. announced that the Newton Rail Park is a certified site. 
• City of Bondurant: The City of Bondurant celebrated the certification of its sixth and seventh certified sites.  
• Electrical Power Products (EP²): The company is planning to expand its existing Des Moines manufacturing campus with a $42 million capital investment. 

This economic development activity is a reflection of the momentum happening across Greater Des Moines.

• Population in Greater Des Moines’ combined statistical area (CSA), which includes the Des Moines and Ames metropolitan statistical areas (MSA), is up 13.4% over the past decade, the fastest growth in the Midwest and is now nearly 940,000 strong. 
• Real GDP in the CSA has increased more than 30% in the past decade, ranking #2 among Midwest peers.
• Employment in the CSA has grown 13.3% in the last decade, ranking #1 among Midwest peers.
• The labor force in the Des Moines MSA is now 33% larger than in 2005.

Thanks to a spirit of collaboration and its position as a convener in the community, The Partnership has been recognized as a top chamber of commerce and economic development organization.

• The Partnership was named Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), the chamber industry’s highest honor. The Chamber of the Year award honors chambers that demonstrate organizational strength, innovation and measurable impact in their communities and serves as a national benchmark for best practices across the chamber industry.
• The Partnership was named one of the top 20 regional economic development groups in the country through the Mac Conway Awardsfor Economic Development Excellence by Site Selection magazine. The Mac Conway Awards recognize 20 metropolitan regions across the country based on a comprehensive index that includes corporate investment, job creation, economic performance and talent attraction.  
• The Partnership earned accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in recognition of its sound policies, effective organizational procedures and positive impact on the community.

This recognition is a testament to the momentum of the Greater Des Moines region, and these awards help the region stand out on a national and international stage.

Interested in growing your business in Greater Des Moines? Learn more about how The Partnership’s team can help.

Want to be part of the work that’s shaping the Greater Des Moines region? Learn more about The Partnership’s work and how you and your organization can be involved and be part of the momentum.

Keep up with the momentum that's happening in and around Greater Des Moines (DSM) when you subscribe to one or all of the Greater Des Moines Partnership's newsletters — they're packed with the latest news, highlighting everything from upcoming events to development projects to policy updates. Join the mailing list to connect with The Partnership and help amplify stories from around the region.