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Regional economic group briefs Perry on $5.7 billion in investment and local workforce programs
Summary
A Greater Des Moines Partnership delegation described regional investment levels, recruitment and workforce initiatives and said it will open a satellite career program in Perry; staff invited city participation in federal/state policy planning and regional marketing efforts.
Representatives of the Greater Des Moines Partnership briefed the Perry City Council on May 26 about regional economic development activity and local opportunities.
Stacy LaVaughn, senior vice president of economic development at the Partnership, said the region currently has about $5.7 billion in capital investment and a $2 billion pipeline of active projects. She framed the Partnership’s work around business retention, expansion and regional marketing and said the region is working to reach a 1,000,000 combined statistical area population milestone to access additional opportunities.
The Partnership discussed talent programs and local workforce initiatives. A presenter said the organization will open a satellite campus in Perry at the end of June as part of a career-ready program aimed at high-school students and young workers; the program will include paid participation and a multiweek curriculum. The Partnership also described DSM MVPs, a volunteer ambassador initiative to help newcomers integrate into communities.
Stacy LaVaughn said the Partnership generated 140 leads in 2025 and that 83% of leads were local; she noted the group’s role in coordinating federal and state policy agendas and invited city officials to participate in planning and advocacy efforts.
Why it matters: The presentation highlights regional investment and workforce initiatives that could bring training opportunities, jobs or business recruitment benefits to Perry. The satellite program and Partnership outreach could connect local students and employers to broader regional networks.
Next steps: City officials were encouraged to engage with the Partnership’s government policy council and share local project leads for regional amplification.
