September 25, 2026
By: Aly Davis
Learn More About Economic Development Efforts in Waukee
There is something powerful about seeing your community through a different lens.
On Thursday, September 10, the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Waukee, welcomed a sold-out crowd for its 2026 Economic Development Bus Tour, an afternoon dedicated to showcasing the businesses, developments, investments and partnerships shaping Waukee’s continued growth.
Guests gathered at The Palms Theatres & IMAX before boarding four buses for a guided drive through the community. Rather than stopping at individual locations, the tour provided a comprehensive look at development throughout Waukee while City of Waukee representatives shared insight into projects underway, areas experiencing growth and what residents and businesses can expect to see next.
![Waukee community leaders]()
Planning for Waukee's Future
For the Waukee Area Chamber, the tour represents much more than an opportunity to see new construction.
Economic development is ultimately about people. It is about the entrepreneurs willing to take a chance on an idea, businesses choosing to invest and grow, developers envisioning what is possible, community leaders planning for the future and residents who make Waukee a place where people want to be.
The Economic Development Bus Tour brings those groups together.
As a Waukee native and graduate of Waukee High School, Chamber President & CEO Aly Davis has watched the community transform firsthand.
“I grew up here. I graduated from Waukee. I’ve watched this community grow and change in ways I never could have imagined as a kid,” Davis said. “Now I get a front-row seat to what comes next, and I am excited about it!”
That growth also underscores the importance of strong partnerships.
The Waukee Area Chamber and City of Waukee work collaboratively to support a thriving business environment while serving distinct roles within the community. The annual tour provides an opportunity to bring that partnership directly to Chamber members, business leaders and residents, creating greater understanding of the development happening around them and the vision behind it.
“Seeing four charter buses full of people who chose to spend their afternoon learning about Waukee was pretty special,” Davis said. “These are people who live here, work here, invest here and care about where this community is going. Waukee continues to show up.”
The experience extended beyond the tour itself. Guests returned to The Palms for networking and conversation, providing an opportunity to turn what they had seen into new connections and conversations.
The event was made possible through strong support from the local business community. Shottenkirk Chevrolet Waukee served as Presenting Sponsor, Landmark Companies as Tour Guide Sponsor and Knapp Properties as Social Sponsor. Bus Sponsors included Shive-Hattery, Community State Bank, Stivers and Vibrant Music Hall. The Palms Theatres & IMAX hosted the event.
Behind the scenes, Chamber staff, Board members, Ambassadors, Young Professionals and City partners worked together to create an experience that reflected the collaboration at the heart of Waukee’s momentum.
For Davis, seeing a packed theater and four full buses was a reminder of what makes the community’s growth story worth telling.
“Buildings and projects may be the most visible signs of economic development, but people and partnerships are what move a community forward,” Davis said. “There is tremendous momentum in Waukee, and we are proud to help connect the people behind it, amplify their stories and continue advancing our community together.”
Waukee is growing, connecting and investing in what comes next. And Waukee continues to show up!
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