2022 was full of stories. As many organizations shifted strategic priorities after coping with two years of pausing many main initiatives due to the pandemic, they have been met with lingering financial turmoil brought on by COVID and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February.
Whereas markets have been unsure, many tasks have been nonetheless proposed and accomplished within the Des Moines space. This 12 months has been marked by continued efforts in placemaking, expertise modifications, coverage change, management transitions, nonprofits serving these most affected by the financial downturn and extra.
Right here’s a glance again at among the largest enterprise tales in Des Moines and the state from this 12 months as reported on the time of publication. Whereas complete, there have been much more occasions than we might embody in a single record.
To remain up to date on tales like these, subscribe to our e-newsletters at businessrecord.com/signup or change into a Enterprise File member.
— Emily Barske, editor
JANUARY
Jan. 5 Governor’s workplace declares $210M in broadband grants
Greater than $210 million has been awarded to grant candidates to additional broaden high-speed web throughout Iowa, the governor’s workplace introduced. In line with a information launch, the funding was awarded to greater than 160 candidates as a part of the funding to broaden broadband throughout the state. “Our dedication to high-speed, dependable broadband for all Iowans continues to make nice progress,” Gov. Kim Reynolds stated within the launch. “We’ve acquired an awesome variety of functions and funding requests, which highlights the appreciable have to broaden broadband to all corners of the state. Our investments will assist bridge the hole and supply hundreds extra Iowans the required connectivity wanted of their houses and communities.” In line with the discharge, the tasks that acquired funding symbolize greater than $526 million in broadband funding, serving greater than 39,000 houses, faculties and companies.
Jan. 11 Cooper’s Hawk, an upscale restaurant with wine tasting rooms, deliberate in Clive
Cooper’s Hawk Vineyard and Restaurant, an upscale eating restaurant that includes wine tasting rooms and golf equipment, plans to open an institution at 12801 College Ave. in Clive, a spokesperson for the nationwide restaurant chain confirmed. Cooper’s Hawk Vineyard and Restaurant, headquartered in Orland Park, Unwell., is deliberate on the positioning as soon as occupied by Granite Metropolis Meals & Brewery. Granite Metropolis, primarily based in Bloomington, Minn., closed its doorways in March 2020 after its mum or dad firm filed for chapter.
Jan. 17 Seven-story constructing deliberate in Des Moines’ East Village
A seven-story constructing with street-level retail and 110 house models is deliberate on the southwest nook of East Sixth and Walnut streets in Des Moines’ East Village neighborhood. The challenge is being developed by Coronary heart of America Group, a hospitality and actual property improvement firm. The challenge could be one in every of 4 house developments underneath building or deliberate within the downtown space in 2022. The development is anticipated to be completed by 2023. The constructing can be constructed with sturdy metal and insulated concrete kinds, making the construction very power environment friendly. The Des Moines Metropolis Council in December 2021 accepted preliminary phrases of a 20-year improvement settlement with Coronary heart of America Group.
Jan. 19 Native music promoter buys Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines
The Val Air Ballroom, which has hosted scores of occasions that includes practically each style of music over the previous 82 years, has been bought by an area music promoter who plans a historic renovation of the construction that can embody updates to the sound system and inside. VAB LLC paid $1.9 million for the 8.5-acre parcel at 301 Ashworth Highway in West Des Moines. VAB LLC is managed by Samuel Summers, proprietor of Wooly’s, a reside music venue in Des Moines’ East Village, and First Fleet Live shows, an area promotion firm.
Jan. 28 Settlement signed to carry professional soccer workforce to Des Moines
Efforts to carry skilled soccer to the Higher Des Moines space cleared a serious hurdle with the signing of a franchise settlement between Kyle Krause and representatives of the United Soccer League. The settlement capped a greater than two-year push to realize private and non-private backing not just for knowledgeable Des Moines-based soccer workforce, but in addition a brand new out of doors stadium and plaza. The skilled soccer membership and Professional Iowa Stadium and World Plaza, deliberate on a web site close to the southwest entryway into downtown, not solely will carry new leisure to the Des Moines space, however may even present an financial increase, Krause stated.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 3 WDM conduit challenge will transfer ahead following lawsuit settlement
The town of West Des Moines can pay Mediacom $595,000 and permit the web service to license components of its conduit community, resolving a lawsuit filed greater than a 12 months in the past, in line with the settlement settlement reached by the 2 events. Beneath the phrases of the settlement, Mediacom agreed to dismiss the lawsuit and its associated petition with the Federal Communications Fee, which was by no means dominated on by the fee. As a part of the settlement the town doesn’t admit to any wrongdoing. The citywide conduit community is about to maneuver ahead with a number of modifications outlined within the settlement. Mediacom will have the ability to license parts of “unused and unlicensed city-owned conduit” to put in its personal fiber-optic cables in each Part 1 and a couple of of the conduit.
Feb. 3 Littlefield to steer Principal’s retirement financial savings enterprise; Schaaff to retire
Principal Monetary Group introduced that Chris Littlefield has been named president of its Retirement and Revenue Options enterprise, efficient April 1. This follows the choice of Renee Schaaf, present president of RIS, to retire after greater than 41 years with the corporate. Littlefield joined Principal in January 2020 as government vp and basic counsel, and in addition serves as company secretary to the board of administrators. He beforehand was president and CEO of two life insurance coverage and annuity firms, Constancy & Warranty Life Insurance coverage Holdings and Aviva USA Corp.
Feb. 10 TAI marks 25 years supporting Iowa expertise firms
When the Expertise Affiliation of Iowa was based in 1997, the U.S. was nearing the height of the dot-com bubble and a burgeoning trade of software program improvement and knowledge expertise was rising in Iowa. Now often called TAI, President Brian Waller stated the group has grown with its members, adapting its technique and programming to what they want. Iowa’s expertise firms have additionally redefined their label during the last 25 years as their expertise operations have change into integral to general enterprise technique and development.
Feb. 23 Workiva names Iskow president and COO
Workiva Inc. introduced Tuesday the promotion of Julie Iskow to president and chief working officer, efficient March 1. Iskow can be liable for Workiva’s world development technique and business operations, together with enterprise-wide product improvement, platform innovation, gross sales, advertising, service supply and buyer success. She has intensive expertise in product improvement, optimizing operations, and scaling enterprise software-as-a-service firms with robust, worthwhile development. Earlier than becoming a member of Workiva, she held quite a lot of government expertise and engineering management positions.
Feb. 23 $80 million golf, leisure venue proposed in Johnston
A neighborhood improvement and funding group is partnering with the town of Johnston on an $80 million challenge that would come with a golf leisure venue and connecting lodge positioned alongside a quickly redeveloping portion of Merle Hay Highway. The event is proposed to incorporate a 100-room lodge that can be hooked up to a 50,000-square-foot golf leisure venue with 60 bays from which golf balls will be hit onto a driving vary. The venue, referred to as Bombers, can be proposed to incorporate a video arcade, a rooftop bar and a full-service restaurant.
MARCH
March 10 WDM raises finances for conduit community, citing building disruptions
After agreeing to settle a lawsuit towards the town in December 2020, the way forward for West Des Moines’ initiative to assemble a citywide conduit community able to delivering broadband confronted different challenges. The community can be distinct because it gives house for multiple supplier to entry West Des Moines’ rights of manner, however the metropolis is first navigating hiccups within the provide chain and with contractors which can be, in flip, demanding a better finances. Following the announcement of the $595,000 settlement settlement with Mediacom, the West Des Moines Metropolis Council held a particular assembly on Jan. 24 proposing an modification to its Financial Growth Digital Enterprise City Renewal Plan to lift the not-to-exceed value of setting up the conduit community to $60 million due to “will increase in building prices on account of provide chain calls for,” in line with the modification. This was a rise from the $50 million not-to-exceed quantity initially outlined within the city renewal plan accepted by the council in July 2020.
March 23 Apple challenge in Waukee transferring ahead
Apple Inc. has begun infrastructure enhancements on the web site in Waukee the place it introduced in 2017 that it deliberate on setting up an enormous knowledge heart. The town has accepted building drawings for public enhancements and the Waukee Metropolis Council is anticipated to approve the positioning plan in April or Could. Apple, the Cupertino, Calif.-based firm behind merchandise like iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches, introduced in 2017 that it will assemble a state-of-the-art knowledge heart in Waukee on about 2,000 acres within the northwest part of the town close to the intersection of Hickman Highway and S Avenue.
March 25 DMARC appears to extend skill to battle meals insecurity with transfer to new constructing
The Des Moines Space Non secular Council moved to a brand new constructing, permitting the company to broaden house for places of work, convention, and coaching rooms in addition to leased house for a few of its associate organizations. The transfer will present a warehouse that’s 4 occasions bigger than its earlier house. DMARC is an interfaith group made up of greater than 125 congregations from 5 religion traditions. It manages a meals pantry community consisting of 14 websites, a cellular meals pantry, meals warehouses and numerous group supporters.
APRIL
April 4 Stoddard Most cancers Middle launches public section of $18M fundraising marketing campaign
John Stoddard Most cancers Middle, a service of UnityPoint Well being-Des Moines, launched the general public section of “It Takes You,” a complete fundraising marketing campaign. The marketing campaign will make investments $18 million into the most cancers heart over the subsequent three years, with a group fundraising aim of $6 million to assist crucial components of remedy past medical bills. “For greater than 30 years, the workforce on the John Stoddard Most cancers Middle has been dedicated to bringing the most recent expertise, superior professional care and complete individualized remedy plans to every affected person,” stated David Stark, president and CEO of UnityPoint Well being-Des Moines. “We have been the primary most cancers heart in Central Iowa to deal with all radiation oncology and ancillary companies in a single location and we proceed to cleared the path with the best high quality most cancers care.” Of the full $18 million aim, the most cancers heart plans to make use of $9 million for capital and gear upgrades, and $9 million can be invested in packages and companies.
April 6 Hardman tapped as DEI inclusion officer, VP of human assets for Broadlawns
Broadlawns Medical Middle introduced that Renee Hardman will be a part of the group as its first chief variety, fairness and inclusion officer and as vp of human assets. Hardman was the CEO of Massive Brothers Massive Sisters of Central Iowa. (Bridget Cravens-Neely was introduced as the brand new CEO of BBBSCI in June.)
April 14 Grimes council accepts land donation, $12 million for GrimesPlex
The town of Grimes now owns land on which a 50-acre multiuse sports activities complicated is deliberate after the Metropolis Council this week accepted accepting the land donation in addition to $12 million from the challenge’s unique developer. Hope Growth & Realty LLC introduced in fall 2020 that it will develop the Midwest’s largest turf sports activities tourism venue as a part of its Hope District, 200 acres north of Iowa Freeway 141 and East First Avenue. When absolutely developed, the realm is anticipated to incorporate housing, inns, eating places and retail improvement.
April 15 Polk County supervisors change nonprofit with new division to handle psychological well being and incapacity companies
At a particular public assembly, the Polk County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 in favor of making a brand new division specializing in behavioral well being and incapacity companies in the neighborhood. The decision creates a brand new nine-person division, which can be led by an interim CEO to interchange the Polk County Well being Companies CEO, Liz Cox. Supervisor Matt McCoy voted towards the decision. The transfer follows a vote accepted by the supervisors of their March 29 assembly to not renew the board’s contract with Polk County Well being Companies. The nonprofit entity was created by Polk County in 1976 to develop and oversee an area community of companies and assist for individuals who have disabilities. The non-public, nonprofit group was ruled by a separate group board.
April 19 MercyOne to change into wholly owned by Michigan-based Trinity Well being
Trinity Well being and CommonSpirit Well being, which have collectively owned and operated MercyOne for the previous 24 years, introduced they signed an settlement for Trinity Well being to accumulate all the services and belongings of MercyOne. Primarily based in West Des Moines, MercyOne is a regional well being system that serves greater than 3.3 million sufferers yearly. Since 1998, MercyOne has operated underneath a joint working settlement between the 2 not-for-profit Catholic well being care organizations. CommonSpirit, previously often called Catholic Well being Initiatives, and Trinity every maintain a 50% possession stake in MercyOne.
April 26 Aureon launches new 616 Knowledge Middle, serving native companies, telecommunications suppliers
Enterprise companies supplier Aureon’s new 616 Knowledge Middle positioned in downtown Des Moines appears like a regular workplace constructing on the skin, nevertheless it’s constructed to face up to as much as an EF3 twister and employees inside have been undisturbed when the 2020 derecho tore by way of Iowa. This knowledge heart joins Aureon’s West Des Moines location and one other knowledge heart downtown, which is able to now regularly transfer into the 616 constructing. Building on the multimillion-dollar challenge started in 2019, and it opened to clients on March 1. Aureon additionally has knowledge facilities in Minneapolis, Chicago, Kansas Metropolis and Omaha. Scott Behn, who has been CEO of Aureon since 2019, stated Aureon began investing in knowledge facilities about 5 years in the past as a part of its strategic plan, and that the Iowa enlargement was pushed by a necessity for more room.
MAY
Could 15 UI a frontrunner in girls’s illustration in management, nationwide research says
The College of Iowa was acknowledged as a nationwide chief in gender illustration in management in a 2022 research by the Eos Basis. The research ranked universities by awarding factors in three classes: having a lady as president or chancellor, having a lady as provost, and the odds of ladies who’re tutorial deans, serve on the president’s cupboard and are tenured professors. Universities that acquired 72 or extra factors got the “chief” distinction. The College of Iowa ranked No. 4, scoring 84.8 factors. As soon as the establishments have been ranked, the research positioned them into classes indicating how effectively they’re doing in working towards girls’s illustration in college management.
Could 19 Group Basis celebrates begin of building on new campus, C3 Middle
The Group Basis of Higher Des Moines’ new campus and C3 Middle will function a central hub to the area’s nonprofit and charitable giving communities when it opens in early 2023. The inspiration hosted a ceremony the place the board chair Franklin Codel mentioned the challenge and what it means for the group. The challenge is being paid for completely by way of donations.
Could 27 New innovation fund to supply Iowa nonprofits $20M in grants
Gov. Kim Reynolds introduced a $20 million funding from the brand new Nonprofit Innovation Fund to assist nonprofits fund infrastructure tasks that broaden assets and companies to extra Iowans. This contains building value, acquisition, web site improvement, engineering and architectural companies. This system gives awards as much as $3 million for infrastructure tasks. The funds are made obtainable by way of the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
Could 27 Enterprise leaders cite tax reform as prime accomplishment throughout 2022 legislative session
Because the 2022 legislative session gaveled out, enterprise leaders have been touting the accomplishments they are saying will make Iowa a extra engaging place to reside, work, play and do enterprise. Many have been happy with the tax reform invoice, which lowered the non-public earnings tax and made it a flat charge, and in addition lowered the state’s company tax charge. Enterprise leaders stated a invoice that reformed the state’s unemployment system will assist get folks again to work sooner at a time when the state is dealing with a labor scarcity; it lowered the variety of weeks somebody can acquire unemployment advantages from 26 to 16. There have been two baby care payments that handed that, whereas not everybody agreed on their advantages, enterprise leaders stated will assist make baby care extra accessible.
JUNE
June 9 Israel to move World Insurance coverage Accelerator
The World Insurance coverage Accelerator introduced Dan Israel can be its subsequent managing director. Israel began on the GIA on Could 31, working with present managing director Nicole Gunderson by way of the summer season to transition into the function and put together for the autumn collection of the 2023 cohort. Israel’s most up-to-date function was as director – enterprise technique and innovation at Principal Monetary Group, which is an investor within the GIA. He has additionally held monetary roles at Rolls Royce North America, Goal Corp. and Principal World Buyers.
June 10 Historic north Des Moines constructing to bear $4.3 million restoration
In the course of the previous three years or so, a renaissance has occurred alongside Sixth Avenue in Des Moines’ Highland Park/Oak Park neighborhoods with the renovation and repurposing of decades-old buildings. That resurgence has turned the nook, actually, increasing eastward alongside Euclid Avenue. Work is anticipated to start in July on a $4.3 million restoration of a distinctive-looking two-story brick constructing at 413 Euclid Ave. that for many years was house to French Approach Cleaners & Dyers.
June 23 With Topgolf’s WDM location, three golf leisure venue developments within the works
Topgolf Leisure Group introduced its plans to carry a location to West Des Moines, making it the state’s first Topgolf venue and the third indoor {golfing} venue underneath improvement within the Des Moines metro space. The multilevel venue would function 72 climate-controlled out of doors hitting bays, meals and drinks, TVs, music, and year-round programming, in line with a Topgolf launch. Hurd Actual Property is planning to develop the Topgolf facility on 12 acres of land it owns on the northwest nook of Jordan Creek Parkway and Mills Civic Parkway, south of Hy-Vee Quick & Recent. Elsewhere, Dr. Allen Stoye, a principal in Stoye & Kann Growth, is creating the proposed $80 million golf, leisure and lodge complicated referred to as Bombers on Merle Hay Highway. The second native challenge is the $26 million Suite Photographs golf leisure venue positioned south of Grand Avenue in West Des Moines being developed by developer Paul Cownie and North Dakota developer Kevin Christianson. The Suite Photographs challenge is dealing with lawsuits from a gaggle of residents who reside within the close by gated group of Glen Oaks and oppose the event.
June 13 Chevron acquires REG
Chevron has accomplished its acquisition of Ames-based Renewable Power Group, the fuel and oil producer introduced. The acquisition combines REG’s rising renewable fuels manufacturing and feedstock capabilities with Chevron’s massive manufacturing, distribution and advertising place. The acquisition will assist Chevron, the second-largest oil and fuel producer within the U.S., attain its aim to extend its renewable fuels manufacturing to 100,000 barrels a day by 2030. REG, which employs about 1,000 folks globally, moved to Ames in 2007. The corporate lately opened a brand new 15,000-square-foot constructing on its Ames campus to accommodate present and future development, and to assist facilitate excessive ranges of collaboration amongst workers.
June 14 Iowa Girls’s Basis, IEDA announce new place to handle baby care wants
The Iowa Girls’s Basis in partnership with the Iowa Financial Growth Authority introduced a brand new full-time place devoted to serving to Iowa companies develop baby care insurance policies for his or her workers. Sheri Penney will work because the Iowa Girls’s Basis’s employer engagement director. She’s going to assist companies throughout the state perceive the financial influence of kid care, assess worker wants and perceive options to the difficulty.
June 16 New YSS youth restoration campus embeds trauma-informed design in its partitions
Houses are a central part of the residential dependancy remedy YSS gives to Iowa youths. Two tailored homes in Ames have served as remedy services to assist youths really feel welcomed and comfy whereas they get better. The brand new $13 million, 70-bed youth restoration campus, which is about to open in fall 2023, will present residential dependancy remedy for teenagers ages 12-17 and for younger adults ages 18-24. A disaster stabilization and emergency shelter program can be provided as effectively.
June 16 GuideOne management transition comes whereas discrimination criticism ongoing
GuideOne Insurance coverage Co. introduced that it has named its new CEO. The change comes as the corporate faces a former senior vp’s discrimination criticism during which he alleges the previous CEO was ousted for difficult the dealing with of an investigation that led to the SVP’s termination. The brand new CEO, Bernard Hengesbaugh, an 11-year member of GuideOne’s board of administrators, fills the chief government function that was being held on an interim foundation since February by the corporate’s chief counsel, Andy Noga, following the departure of Jessica Snyder. Snyder, who joined the corporate in June 2017 as CEO, abruptly left the corporate in mid-February. The management change comes amid GuideOne’s protection of a criticism filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Alternative Fee on March 29 by Mark Groenheide, who led a specialty division of the corporate, in line with paperwork reviewed by the Enterprise File that aren’t public. He alleges within the EEOC criticism that GuideOne launched a compliance investigation into him and later fired him after firm officers discovered within the fall that he’s bisexual. Groenheide additionally alleges that Snyder’s assist of him through the firm’s investigation of his alleged wrongdoing led to her termination.
JULY
July 1 Iowa firms weigh in on influence of Roe v. Wade determination on state’s workforce
The U.S. Supreme Courtroom in June overturned Roe v. Wade, ending an almost 50-year precedent of a federal proper to abortion. To see how enterprise leaders have been reacting, the Enterprise File reached out to greater than 45 firms throughout the state, together with Iowa Enterprise Council members, firms listed as the most important nongovernment employers within the Enterprise File’s E book of Lists, and the state’s publicly held firms. Twelve responded with feedback for publication. The next firms introduced expansions to advantages to incorporate journey reimbursement for well being companies: Principal Monetary Group, Wells Fargo, Dotdash Meredith, Bridgestone and Businessolver. Different firms stated they have been reviewing advantages and monitoring the ruling’s attain, together with Hy-Vee, MidAmerican, Wellmark, Kum & Go, the Weitz Co., NCMIC and Sammons Monetary Group.
July 7 McClure Engineering declares CEO transition
McClure Engineering CEO Terry Lutz transitioned to chairman of McClure as of July 1, and succeeding him is McClure’s Government Vice President Dustin Leo. Lutz turned president and CEO of the corporate in 1985 and led its development to greater than 200 workers throughout the Midwest, in line with a information launch. “We’ve challenged [Leo] with quite a lot of totally different duties and he’s been keen to tackle no matter we give him,” Lutz stated. “I believe he’s performed a terrific job of getting folks to comply with him. I really feel actually good about stepping apart and letting him take over and transfer the corporate ahead. I believe he possesses the talent set, the imaginative and prescient, and the power to proceed to maneuver McClure in a development sample as we meet the long run.”
July 15 Economists describe unsure occasions as danger of recession looms
Economists on a panel hosted by the Enterprise File stated rising inflation and elevated prices will make planning troublesome for firms, rising the chance of a recession. The panel was hosted a day after a brand new report confirmed inflation at 9.1% in contrast with a 12 months in the past. Individuals included Peter Orazem, a professor of economics at Iowa State College, and Anne Villamil, an economics professor on the College of Iowa. Because of labor shortages, Iowa’s financial development is struggling, they stated. Whereas there are different elements Orazem stated, “I don’t assume you’re going to unravel a provide chain downside except you repair worldwide commerce and the home labor provide downside.”
July 21 Landus brings the farm to the town with DM Innovation Connector
Landus Cooperative has established a contact of rural Iowa and farms with its Innovation Connector. Its aim is to foster agricultural innovation in a manner that’s accessible to native, nationwide and world firms and serves as a brand new useful resource to one in every of Iowa’s key industries. The house is positioned on the third ground of the constructing at 220 S.W. Ninth Avenue in downtown Des Moines. With the announcement of the connector’s launch, Landus additionally introduced the innovation companions, together with native names like Sukup Manufacturing and ChopLocal in addition to worldwide firms Yara and AGI.
July 28 Aaron Wiese tapped to change into Hy-Vee’s CEO, Jeremy Gosch later named co-CEO
Hy-Vee Inc. government Aaron Wiese was named CEO of the West Des Moines-based retailer, efficient Oct. 1, Hy-Vee CEO and Board Chairman Randy Edeker introduced in a press launch. Wiese had been the vice chairman of Hy-Vee Inc. Lower than a month later, the West Des Moines-based grocery chain stated it was additionally elevating Jeremy Gosch to co-CEO and president of retail operations. (In December, the corporate introduced that Gosch is the one CEO and in addition vice chairman of the board. Hy-Vee executives Wiese and Donna Tweeten are presidents, supervising totally different areas of Hy-Vee’s enterprise.)
July 19 Newland named president and CEO of UnityPoint Clinic
UnityPoint Well being has named Dr. Patricia Newland as president and CEO of UnityPoint Clinic, efficient Aug. 14. Newland, who joined UnityPoint Clinic in 2000 as a board-certified, practising household doctor, was most lately medical director of main look after UnityPoint Well being. She succeeds Dr. Sanjeeb Khatua, who had held that place since January 2021. In a launch, the well being techniques stated that Newland was “chosen by a committee of leaders and physicians primarily based on her experience in advancing high quality and security outcomes, in addition to her trusted management and dedication to elevating the clinician expertise.”
AUGUST
Aug. 4 NewBoCo extends assets into new communities with partnership program
Cedar Rapids nonprofit NewBoCo launched a Group Companions Pilot Program to work with communities that need to carry current NewBoCo packages to their group. It will assist strengthen the innovation ecosystem and shut gaps in assets for entrepreneurship, tech training and innovation. NewBoCo’s slate of packages covers entrepreneurship, tech training and innovation. Within the planning levels of the pilot program, about 20 financial builders from totally different areas indicated in a survey that communities throughout the state wanted extra assist within the three areas NewBoCo focuses on, however they have been ranked in another way by every area when it comes to precedence. NewBoCo Government Director Aaron Horn stated tailoring to the wants of various areas is what makes the pilot greater than increasing its packages.
Aug. 8 WesleyLife Meals on Wheels launches $8.25M fundraising marketing campaign
The necessity for addressing meals insecurity amongst older Central Iowans has grown exponentially prior to now couple of years. Higher Des Moines leaders are responding with a plan that can multiply the influence of Meals on Wheels, a program that has supplied sizzling meals and important social contact for older residents for the previous 16 years. Meals on Wheels, which is operated by nonprofit senior companies supplier WesleyLife Inc., has launched an $8.25 million capital marketing campaign that can fund a brand new headquarters for the initiative. The centerpiece of the renovated facility, positioned at 3206 College Ave. on the Drake College campus, can be a state-of-the-art business kitchen that can allow volunteers to arrange and ship 3,000 nutritious, sizzling meals a day for supply to seniors and veterans throughout Higher Des Moines.
Aug. 17 Through Well being Companies to open 32-bed all-women reminiscence care unit in Des Moines
Through Well being Companies, a family-owned expert nursing firm, introduced it was opening a 32-bed reminiscence care unit at its current south Des Moines facility. Will probably be the primary women-only Alzheimer’s and dementia care unit in Central Iowa, in line with Through Well being’s president, Jennifer Conner. The unit can be licensed as a CCDI (power confusion and dementing sickness) facility. The 32 rooms may have a non-public restroom for sufferers that come to get assist. The unit’s three wings are designed as low-stimulation areas with options comparable to frosted glass on the decrease portion of room home windows however clear at prime to permit views of the sky. Every wing has a nurses’ station with home windows for statement in addition to cameras monitoring the hallways.
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 5 Iowa Girls’s Basis declares $3M Legacy Grant Fund marketing campaign
The Iowa Girls’s basis introduced a $3 million legacy grant fund marketing campaign. The group was initially launched in 1994 by a gaggle of 27 girls who felt Iowa girls’s wants weren’t being met. The brand new fund, which has a aim of elevating $3 million by the tip of 2023, would be the basis’s first-ever supply of ongoing income. Cash raised by way of the fund will particularly go towards grantmaking and packages, relatively than its operational finances.
Sept. 13 Des Moines council approves buy of former Nationwide constructing
The town of Des Moines is transferring ahead with a proposal to purchase a downtown workplace constructing and parking storage after the Metropolis Council on Monday accepted a purchase order settlement with the properties’ vendor, Nationwide Mutual Insurance coverage Co. Final week, metropolis officers introduced the proposed buy of the workplace constructing at 1200 Locust St. that beforehand had been occupied by Nationwide. The acquisition additionally contains acquisition of a parking storage at 1200 Mulberry St. The acquisition worth of the 2 properties totals $40.6 million. The town plans on choosing an architectural agency to conduct a workspace utilization research to find out metropolis departments’ house wants, develop a grasp use plan, and estimate prices of workplace designs and renovations. Nationwide has consolidated its workplace house right into a 732,000-square-foot constructing it owns at 1100 Locust St.
Sept. 13 Gov. Reynolds awards $26.6M in baby care enterprise incentive grants, declares second spherical of funding
Gov. Kim Reynolds introduced $26.6 million in grant funding to 23 tasks throughout the state that can assist companies create extra baby care choices for his or her workers. The funding will contain 67 employers and is anticipated to create greater than 1,700 baby care slots, in line with a information launch. The grant was born from an effort to incentivize enterprise engagement in baby care. Grants will assist tasks that enhance baby care slots, add slots for employees who work nontraditional hours or fill presently licensed slots for the good thing about workers.
Sept. 14 Meals insecurity continues to extend as want rises
Meals insecurity in Central Iowa continues to succeed in report ranges, in line with experiences from the Des Moines Space Non secular Council and Meals Financial institution of Iowa. The rising ranges of meals insecurity comes two years after it skyrocketed with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The variety of folks needing help to place meals on the desk has risen once more in latest months as inflation surged to its highest ranges in 40 years. As the costs are rising within the economic system many individuals are struggling to satisfy the brand new value of meals, housing, baby care, transportation and well being care. Many meals pantries noticed a rise of tourists, many a report quantity.
Sept. 15 Maple Ventures hires first director, plans subsequent section
Entrepreneur assist heart Maple Ventures is transferring into its subsequent section with the announcement of its first full-time director and plans to triple the quantity of house obtainable to industrial expertise firms at Ramco Improvements. Megan Brandt has began as director of Maple Ventures. She was beforehand on the World Insurance coverage Accelerator, the place she served as program supervisor since 2016. Renovations are underway to transform one in every of three buildings at Ramco’s West Des Moines location to deal with Maple Ventures. The brand new house is anticipated to open in 2023.
Sept. 18 United Approach of Central Iowa’s Girls United chapter celebrates 20-year anniversary
Since its begin in 2002, the United Approach of Central Iowa’s Girls United program has raised greater than $26 million towards early childhood training. “We had no concept this factor would take off prefer it did. We thought we’d perhaps get 20, 25 folks [on board]. We have been so excited once we bought to 40 folks,” Dr. Andy McGuire stated. “It was fairly superb {that a} bunch of ladies bought collectively at a time when girls weren’t fairly what girls are actually, and thought we might do that, and did.” The group, which was then referred to as United Approach of Central Iowa’s Girls’s Management Connection, started when former United Approach CEO Martha Willits and former training director Maureen Tiffany gathered a gaggle of ladies to debate beginning a philanthropic effort, the place they selected to make early childhood training their main focus. They acknowledged that having early entry to high quality, instructional baby care supported their mind improvement, which then in flip positively affected the remainder of their life’s trajectory.
Sept. 20 Group raises $3,000 for brand new joint bakery throughout fourth annual Flourish Fund occasion
Kristen Day by day and Chelsea Smith’s joint bakery took house $3,000 on the fourth annual Flourish Fund occasion. Day by day is the baker and proprietor of Pie Chicken Pies, a home-based bakery within the Drake neighborhood. Smith is a self-taught sourdough bread maker and runs an artisan sourdough bakery referred to as Bread by Chelsea B. The cash can be utilized in opening their new joint enterprise inside the subsequent 12 months, they stated.
OCTOBER
Oct. 3 Nelson named president of Kemin Nutrisurance
Kemin Industries, a worldwide ingredient producer primarily based in Des Moines, has named Kimberly Nelson, a third-generation member of Kemin’s founding household, as president of Kemin Nutrisurance, the corporate’s pet meals and rendering applied sciences enterprise unit. Nelson has labored for the corporate for seven years, most lately as basic supervisor – North America for Kemin Nutrisurance. Throughout her tenure, the worldwide enterprise unit noticed double-digit gross sales development regardless of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and its stress on the provision chain. Earlier than becoming a member of Kemin Nutrisurance, Nelson was president of Kemin Textile Auxiliaries, working underneath the model Garmon Chemical compounds, which gives chemical options for the denim and attire trade. She’s going to start her new function in October. Alberto Muñoz, presently advertising director for Kemin Nutrisurance, will fill her earlier place as basic supervisor – North America for the enterprise unit.
Oct. 4 76-room GrandStay Resort deliberate in Johnston City Middle
A Minnesota-based improvement group plans to construct a four-story, 76-room lodge within the Johnston City Middle, a $100 million improvement underway at Merle Hay Highway and Northwest 62nd Avenue. The GrandStay Resort would be the third business challenge within the City Middle. The Johnston lodge, with a footprint of 12,800 sq. ft, will embody some extended-stay rooms, an indoor swimming pool, a breakfast bar, a convention room and an outside patio. The Johnston Metropolis Council accepted promoting city-owned property at 6215 Merle Hay Highway to Douglas A. Carlson Growth Inc. and Johnston Hospitality LLC for $183,400. When accomplished, the lodge is anticipated to have an assessed worth of between $6 million and $7 million.
Oct. 13 Iowa receives $96M federal funding for entrepreneurship, small enterprise
The Iowa Financial Growth Authority introduced a $96 million funding to assist small companies and entrepreneurs in Iowa. The U.S. Treasury Division accepted the funding to Iowa by way of its State Small Enterprise Credit score Initiative. The Treasury Division accepted Iowa’s quantity primarily based on a plan submitted by IEDA. Iowa’s SSBCI {dollars} will give attention to encouraging enterprise capital and funding in scalable innovation firms by way of packages such because the Mortgage Participation Program for Manufacturing 4.0 Investments, Small Enterprise Collateral Help Program, Enterprise Capital Innovation Fund Program, and Enterprise Capital Co-Funding Fund Program.
Oct. 21 MercyOne restoring data techniques following CommonSpirit ransomware assault
MercyOne Central Iowa stated at present that CommonSpirit is within the strategy of restoring techniques that have been taken offline and MercyOne Central Iowa is starting to revive entry to the digital well being report system, digital prescribing instruments and different platforms, such because the payroll system. MercyOne Central Iowa’s data techniques have been affected Oct. 3 as a part of a ransomware assault towards former mum or dad firm CommonSpirit Well being. On-line appointment scheduling stays unavailable for MercyOne Central Iowa sufferers, the discharge stated.
Oct. 24 Google plans $600M knowledge heart enlargement
The Iowa Financial Growth Authority Board accepted help for 2 tasks Friday, together with a $600 million enlargement of Google’s knowledge heart in Council Bluffs, the tech firm’s largest. The town of Council Bluffs requested that the board authorize an area property tax exemption. Later, the board accepted a $16.6 million native property tax break over 20 years. The challenge will give more cash to new capital funding and can create 31 jobs.
Oct. 25 Iowa launches first publicly funded enterprise capital fund
Iowa launched its first publicly funded enterprise capital fund. The InnoVenture Iowa Fund’s mission is to assist shut the hole in funding for early-stage Iowa startups and spur future innovation in industries the place Iowa is of course aggressive. The fund was first introduced on Oct. 12. It was part of the $96 million for small companies and entrepreneurs that the usTreasury Division awarded to Iowa by way of its State Small Enterprise Credit score initiative. The InnoVenture Iowa Fund will perform underneath a co-investment mannequin, which means the InnoVenture Iowa Fund won’t ever be the lead investor on a startup’s fundraising spherical, however it’s going to co-invest with different VC companies.
Oct. 25 New Jethro’s BBQ location deliberate in downtown Des Moines
Entrepreneur and restaurant proprietor Bruce Gerleman bought a 6,800-square-foot, two-story workplace constructing in June that lengthy had been the headquarters for Grasp Builders of Iowa. Gerleman is now within the strategy of changing the 54-year-old workplace constructing at 221 Park St. to a restaurant that can change into house to Jethro’s BBQ. Final winter, Gerleman was within the course of of transforming the kitchen of his first Jethro’s BBQ restaurant close to Drake College when he discovered Grasp Builders of Iowa was promoting its property on Park Avenue. Gerleman, who owns and operates seven different Jethro’s eating places in Central Iowa, stated he made the troublesome determination to completely shutter the institution at 3100 Forest Ave. The property is listed on the market, he stated. “This location [on Park Street] is simply such a greater location than Drake,” Gerleman stated. “Drake is lower than three miles away, in order that’s actually simply too shut collectively for 2 [Jethro’s].” The restaurant is anticipated to open in 2023.
NOVEMBER
Nov. 2 Particulars unveiled for $600 million improvement in West Des Moines
A $600 million improvement that would come with one of many Midwest’s largest indoor water parks is deliberate on undeveloped land surrounding West Des Moines’ lately accomplished athletic and recreation heart. The event, referred to as the Grand Expertise, is proposed on 226 acres alongside Grand Avenue between sixtieth and 88th streets west of Interstate Freeway 35. The Grand Avenue improvement will generate much more guests and car visitors to Jordan Creek and surrounding retail, restaurant, and lodge companies, its backers say. The water park, lodge and leisure and convention facilities are anticipated to draw 2 million guests yearly.
Nov. 9 MPO board approves contract for first section of ICON challenge at Scott Avenue
The Des Moines Metropolitan Planning Group voted to approve the contract for the primary section of the Scott Avenue portion of the ICON Water Trails challenge alongside the downtown Des Moines riverfront. The MPO board voted 16-3 to award a contract to United Contractors and Reilly Building for $40.9 million. Board members Len Murray of Nice Hill, Tom Hockensmith of Des Moines and Mark Hanson of Dallas County all voted no. The primary section contains the in-water components of the challenge, together with the mitigation of the low-head dam and introduction of whitewater options. Work on that section is anticipated to start in spring 2023.
Nov. 9 Presutti to go away DART
Elizabeth Presutti, CEO of the Des Moines Space Regional Transit Authority, will step down from the group on the finish of the 12 months. After serving as DART CEO for 11 years, she is leaving to hitch her husband, who accepted a place at Collins Aerospace at its new manufacturing facility in Monroe, N.C., close to Charlotte. Presutti joined DART In 2008, turning into CEO in 2011. As CEO she oversaw 300 workers and an company that usually gives practically 5 million rides a 12 months. She additionally managed a $40 million working finances.
Nov. 15 Building of recent terminal might start in 2024
The Des Moines Worldwide Airport has skilled 67% development in passenger visitors over the previous 10 years and has recovered from the extreme dips that have been seen through the pandemic. Services are severely constrained throughout peak occasions with the road to get by way of screening backing as much as the escalator at occasions and protecting folks from stepping off the escalator, creating a security hazard, stated Government Director Kevin Foley. He stated projections are that the airport will surpass 5 million passengers by 2042. A brand new terminal and associated enhancements are an integral part to persevering with the financial improvement momentum the area has seen in recent times, Foley stated. The airport has opted to make use of a phased method to the challenge to maintain prices down as inflation rises and prioritize a very powerful features within the first section whereas contemplating choices for utilizing the prevailing terminal. The primary section will embody constructing a brand new terminal to the north of the prevailing one, and connecting to the present C Concourse. Building might start as early as 2023, however extra possible in 2024, Foley stated.
Nov. 29 Varsity Cinema set to reopen on Dec. 15
Des Moines’ solely remaining historic theater will as soon as once more be displaying new and traditional motion pictures. The Varsity Cinema, positioned at 1207 twenty fifth St., is about to reopen on Dec. 15, practically 4 years after its earlier proprietor closed its doorways. The nonprofit Des Moines Movie Society purchased the property in fall 2020, and in early 2021 it launched a fundraising marketing campaign to renovate the 106-year-old constructing.
DECEMBER
Dec. 6 MidAmerican to purchase Dotdash Meredith’s north constructing
Dotdash Meredith will promote its north constructing at 1615 Locust St. in Des Moines to MidAmerican Power Co., the businesses introduced to workers in an e mail Dec. 6. In line with an e mail from Dotdash Meredith CEO Neil Vogel that was supplied to the Enterprise File, the publishing firm will retain its historic, brick south constructing with the tower. The constructing will bear a multimillion-dollar renovation to “modernize the office and facilities to greatest assist our present workers with room to accommodate extra folks as we develop.” Staff within the extra trendy north constructing will transfer to the south constructing by April 1, 2023, when the sale of the constructing closes. In an announcement, officers with MidAmerican stated it’s going to vacate house it has leased within the Ruan Middle since 1975 when it strikes to the previous Dotdash constructing.
Dec. 7 Blue Bunny ice cream maker to be offered to an Italian firm
Wells Enterprises, the maker of Blue Bunny ice cream, can be offered to Italy-based Ferrero Group, the businesses introduced. The acquisition is a part of Ferrero’s development technique, and suits in with Wells’ imaginative and prescient for accelerated development, in line with a information launch. The sale is anticipated to shut in early 2023. Wells, primarily based within the northwestern Iowa metropolis of Le Mars, is a family-owned firm which may be greatest identified for its Blue Bunny model but in addition has produced manufacturers comparable to Bomb Pop and Halo Prime. It was based in 1913 and started as a dairy supply wagon enterprise. Wells will stay a stand-alone enterprise with places of work in Le Mars and manufacturing services in Le Mars, Henderson, Nev., and Dunkirk, N.Y. Wells employs 2,700 folks in Iowa and over 4,000 nationwide.
Dec. 8 Hawkeye Surgical Lighting wins first InnoVenture Problem pitch competitors
Hawkeye Surgical Lighting was chosen because the winner of the primary InnoVenture Problem pitch competitors, hosted by Iowa’s new co-investment fund InnoVenture Iowa. Co-founders Dr. David Christianson and Anthony Piscopo and Chief Working Officer Manny Ray accepted the $100,000 money prize. The corporate has developed the world’s first voice- and motion-controlled surgical headlight that integrates with an iOS app by way of Bluetooth. It’s presently being utilized by 5 surgeons on the College of Iowa. The opposite finalists for the InnoVenture Problem have been the Hummingbirds and Clayton Farms. The InnoVenture Iowa Fund, Iowa’s first publicly funded enterprise capital fund, launched in October as a part of the $96 million for small companies and entrepreneurs that the U.S. Treasury Division awarded to Iowa by way of its State Small Enterprise Credit score Initiative. The American Rescue Plan Act reauthorized and expanded the credit score initiative, offering the division with practically $10 billion to award to states.
Dec. 12 Particulars launched about effective eating restaurant deliberate on Ingersoll
A effective eating restaurant referred to as Oak Park would be the anchor tenant of a redevelopment challenge within the 3900 block of Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines, the challenge’s developer introduced. The 98-seat restaurant, which is able to supply trendy American delicacies impressed by seasonal elements, can be led by hospitality veterans Damon Murphy, who beforehand was with 801 Chophouse, and Ian Robertson, a chef whose culinary journey started in Iowa and took him to Chicago and New York the place he labored in a number of critically acclaimed eating places. The redevelopment challenge, referred to as Block 39, was introduced in August by Des Moines businesswoman Kathy Fehrman, a managing associate in Fehrman Investments LLC. Over a 12 months in the past, Fehrman bought property at 3901 and 3913 Ingersoll Ave. that included a constructing that had housed a medical workplace and a residence that had been transformed to retail house.
Dec. 15 Pratum to be acquired by Heartland Enterprise Methods
Heartland Enterprise Methods, a Wisconsin-based supplier of expertise companies together with integration, consulting and enterprise automation, introduced its plans to accumulate data safety firm Pratum, headquartered in Ankeny. “We’re thrilled to enter into this settlement with Pratum and convey their distinctive companies, expertise, and experience in cybersecurity to HBS,” stated Peter Helander, HBS CEO, in a information launch. “Now, greater than ever, robust cyber protection is significant in defending organizations of all sizes throughout all industries. The Pratum workforce will add further superior cybersecurity options so we can be even higher outfitted to safeguard shoppers towards cyberattacks.” Pratum gives cybersecurity consulting companies, safety assessments and SOC/XDR companies for shoppers within the U.S. and internationally, starting from small companies to multinational firms, the discharge stated. “Organizations need assistance fixing cybersecurity and expertise challenges, and so they need that assist to come back from one supplier. The becoming a member of of Pratum with HBS permits us to carry to market an end-to-end cybersecurity and expertise service that strengthens safety, improves operations, and simplifies the lives of our shoppers,” stated Jordan Engbers, president of Pratum. The acquisition of Pratum introduced in February by Infinite Group was not accomplished, a Pratum spokesperson stated in an e mail.
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