COMMUNITY VISIONING EFFORT UNDERWAY!
2010 Community Visioning effort underway!
Capital Crossroads: A Vision for Greater Des Moines & Central Iowa
Steering committee announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2010Â
Greater Des Moines – The Steering Committee overseeing the regional visioning effort, Capital Crossroads: A Vision for Greater Des Moines & Central Iowa, held its first meeting today at the Des Moines Botanical Center. Tri-Chairs Angela Connolly, Polk County Supervisor; J. Barry Griswell, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines; and Cara Heiden, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, welcomed the inclusive group of business and community leaders representing Central Iowa in the project.  The steering committee will guide and provide input to the overall planning process and serve as advisors and decision makers on a final Capital Crossroads plan.  Market Street Services, Inc., a community and economic development consulting firm, will facilitate the steering committee’s work.
Community volunteers participating on the Capital Crossroads Steering Committee:include:
Ako Abdul Samaad, State Representative
Mayor Charles (Chaz) Allen, Jasper County
Mayor Bob Andeweg, MAC Chair
Judy Bradshaw, Chief of Des Moines Police
Teree Caldwell-Johnson, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
Jeff Chelesvig, Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
Shannon Cofield, United Way of Central Iowa
Mayor Frank Cownie/Rick Clark, City of Des Moines
Mary Cownie, Goldfinch Strategies
Eric Crowell/Sid Ramsey, Iowa Health System
Dan Culhane, Ames Chamber
President Rob Denson/ Dr. Mary Chapman, DMACC
Greg Edwards, Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau
Bill Fehrman/Kathryn Kunert, MidAmerican Energy
President Gregory Geoffroy/Tahira Hira, ISU
Paul Gregorie, Emerson Process Mgmt/Fisher Div.
Pat Hagan, Fareway Food Stores
Neil Hamilton, Drake University
President Kent Henning, Grand View University
Laura Hollingsworth, The Des Moines Register
Fred Hubbell, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
MD Isley, Bravo Greater Des Moines
Steve Lacy/Art Slusark, Meredith Corporation
Brian Laurenzo, Bravo Greater Des Moines
Zachary Mannheimer, Des Moines Social Club
President David Maxwell, Drake University
Christopher McDonald, Iowa Asian Alliance
Isaiah McGee, African American Business Association
Jeff Nolan, Madison County
Gary Palmer, Prairie Meadows
Suku Radia, Bankers Trust
Scott Raecker, State Representative
Mayor Ruth Randleman, Warren County
Christian Renaud, Des Moines
Bob Riley, Feed Energy Company
Nannette Rodriguez, ALIANZA
Amedeo Rossi, Des Moines Music Coalition
Nancy Sebring, Des Moines Public Schools
Roger Underwood, Ames
Tom Urban, Des Moines
Mayor Steve Van Oort, MIALG
David Vellinga, Mercy Medical Center
Bob Vermeer, Vermeer Manufacturing
Wendy Waugaman, Iowa Federation of Insurers
David Wilkerson, Waukee Public Schools
Martha Willits, Greater Des Moines Partnership
Connie Wimer, Business Publications
Larry Zimpleman/Mary O’Keefe, The Principal Financial Group
Steve Zumbach, Belin McCormick Law
The Capital Crossroads planning process will be comprehensive, inclusive and forward-seeking to build consensus on the dynamics of the region’s future and foster momentum for achievement of implementation success. At the end of the months-long effort, Greater Des Moines and Central Iowa will have a consensus-based, achievable roadmap to guide the area’s path to short and long-term economic growth. The planning process is expected to take approximately seven months, with a formal plan released in May of 2011. Bravo Greater Des Moines, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Iowa State University, Prairie Meadows, and United Way of Central Iowa have retained national consultant Market Street Services to facilitate the development of Greater Des Moines and Central Iowa’s strategic plan. The Community Foundation and the Partnership will provide staff support to the process.
For media inquiries or for more information, please contact Susan Ramsey at (515) 286-4954 or sramsey@desmoinesmetro.com.
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