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Greater Des Moines Partnership presents regional economic-development, talent work to Oskaloosa council
Summary
Representatives from the Greater Des Moines Partnership described regional economic-development and talent initiatives, local engagement in recruitment and retention, and partnership work with Oskaloosa businesses and the chamber.
Representatives of the Greater Des Moines Partnership briefed the Oskaloosa City Council on Feb. 18 about the partnership’s economic-development and talent-attraction work in a 12-county Central Iowa region that includes Oskaloosa.
Stacy Laban, senior vice president of economic development, told the council the partnership has worked with Oskaloosa for about two years and that the partnership serves roughly 6,700 chamber members and promotes the region to national and international prospects. "We are pleased to be here today," Laban said. She said the partnership focuses on business retention and expansion as well as recruitment, noting it has worked on hundreds of projects since 1999 and that the organization conducts regular outreach to local companies.
Janae Jennison Sikink, identified in the presentation as senior vice president of talent development and workforce, described the partnership’s talent-attraction and retention work, including national advertising to attract workers to the region and programs to connect local high-school and college students with employers. She described a local-chamber affiliate network that supports small businesses with vending and incubator programs.
The presenters provided summaries showing regional metrics and said the partnership works with Oskaloosa staff and the local chamber on business retention, recruitment and workforce matters. They identified six targeted industries for recruitment: advanced manufacturing, logistics, insurance and financial services, data centers, agricultural innovation and technology. They also noted the partnership conducts outreach with site-selection consultants and participates in trade and recruitment trips.
Council members did not request additional action during the presentation. The partnership thanked local investor Musco Lighting and noted that a local chamber representative, Beth, serves on the partnership’s economic development board.
The presentation materials were provided to the council as a one-page summary and a PowerPoint; presenters referenced confidential elements of business outreach that are consolidated in reports to protect company information.
