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Regional partnership says population growth could unlock new economic projects for Oskaloosa area
Summary
Greater Des Moines Partnership leaders told the Oskaloosa City Council the region is near a 1,000,000 population threshold that could unlock competitive investment programs, outlined talent and small-business supports, and answered council questions on data centers and infrastructure.
Stephanie Tausiak, president and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, told the Oskaloosa City Council on April 6 that the region’s combined statistical area stands at about 940,000 people and that reaching 1,000,000 would make the area eligible for additional large economic-development opportunities.
Tausiak said the Partnership focuses on business retention and attraction, talent development and storytelling to bring attention to regional projects. “We are currently at 940,000 people in our combined statistical area,” she said, noting the organization tracks projects and investor outreach across the region.
The Partnership highlighted that roughly $5.7 billion in capital investment and $2 billion more in queued projects are currently in the pipeline for the region and described initiatives that support local companies, workforce training from K–12 through college, and a no-cost set of small-business supports funded by Partnership investors. The group also described programs for attracting out-of-region firms and targeted industry sectors including advanced manufacturing, insurance and financial services, agricultural innovation, logistics, data centers and technology.
Council members asked about the environmental and utility impacts of data centers. Tausiak said data centers are increasingly using closed-loop cooling and that most operators coordinate with electric providers to line up generation before committing to large power draws; she urged careful local zoning and mitigation measures. “There are concerns and you need to be aware of them and address them,” she said.
Why it matters: Council members said regional growth and the Partnership’s outreach could benefit Oskaloosa by bringing projects or by connecting local businesses to regional supports. The presentation framed the city’s work on talent and quality-of-life projects as part of a broader regional effort to compete for larger economic investments.
Next steps: Partnership staff offered to provide follow-up materials and a local contact list; council members and staff requested copies of the presentation and follow-up information about how Oskaloosa can plug into regional programs.
