2010 Community Visioning effort underway!

Capital Crossroads: A Vision for Greater Des Moines & Central Iowa

Steering committee announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2010 

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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