There is a lot happening in Greater Des Moines. Here is a sampling of our recent economic development successes:

Greater Des Moines' population grew 8.9 percent from 2010 to 2015, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau. That outpaces fellow Midwest metros (see graphic below). 

The third annual Global Insurance Symposium will take place April 26 through 28 in Downtown Des Moines. This is a must-attend event for leaders in the insurance industry. This year's event will include a new innovation track. In addition, all attendees will have the opportunity to see pitches from companies in the Global Insurance Accelerator, a mentor-driven business accelerator designed to foster innovation in the insurance industry. REGISTER HERE. The Global Insurance Accelerator also welcomes the ACORD Insurance Innovation Challenge to Des Moines on April 26, one of four such events around the globe.

Facebook is building a third data center building in Altoona. It has been nearly three years since Facebook first announced it would build a data center in Altoona. Read more about the history of Facebook in Altoona in a blog post written by Altoona data center Site Manager Brice Towns HERE.

Elizabeth Caven, founder of Des Moines-based UpCraftClub, won the $40,000 first place prize in the U.S. Small Business Association's national InnovateHER competition. UpCraft Club is a client of Des Moines-based Square One DSM, which helps local entrepreneurs maximize success through providing guidance and navigating resources.

Greater Des Moines has celebrated a number of national rankings in the past month. Among them: No. 1 Best City for the Middle Class by Business Insider, No. 4 Best Mid-Sized City to Make a Living by MoneyGeek and No. 11 Best Place to Live by U.S. News & World Report. 

Program 
Spotlight

Global Insurance Accelerator

The Global Insurance Accelerator is a mentor-driven business accelerator designed to foster innovation in the insurance industry by supporting startups targeting the global insurance industry. It was the first accelerator of its kind. The Accelerator is currently working with its second class of six startup companies from around the globe. LEARN MORE. 

If Greater Des Moines is not on your radar, it should be. Some of our prominent rankings include:

#1 Best City for Young Professionals — Forbes 

#1 City With an Up-and-Coming Downtown — Fortune

#1 Metro With the Most Community Pride — Gallup

#1 Most Affordable Metro for Renters and Owners — Avalanche Consulting

#1 City for First-Time Home Buyers — Bloomberg

MORE

Visit DesMoinesMetroData.com to see more statistics and research on the region and its component counties.