Project Highlights

December 2025 | Cornerstones: Economic Opportunity and Prosperity, Youth Investment

To inform regional planning efforts and build on the conversations that shaped the workforce development ecosystem map, Capital Crossroads developed a companion white paper capturing key insights from multi-sector stakeholders across Polk, Dallas and Warren Counties. The paper highlights shared strengths, challenges and opportunities for growth and deeper collaboration identified by regional leaders. These reflections are intended to support the development of a more inclusive, robust talent pipeline.

Read and download the white paper here.

November 2025 | Cornerstones: Thriving Neighborhoods

Capital Crossroads joined Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program alongside regional leaders from across Central Iowa to help restore an affordable home in Des Moines. Leaders representing local governments, regional agencies, and public utilities worked side by side on a shared priority – expanding access to safe, stable, and affordable housing – reinforcing the power of collaboration in strengthening neighborhoods and advancing regional goals. 

Learn more about the Women Build project and regional partners involved here. 

October 2025 | Economic Opportunity and Prosperity, Youth Investment

Capital Crossroads partnered with UpLift to convene more than 70 Central Iowa leaders for a community conversation about economic mobility. The event showcased the latest research from Camber Collective on 28 experiences that can significantly impact a person’s lifetime income and wellbeing. Attendees participated in a narrative change workshop that prompted them to think strategically about how organizations can align efforts and coordinate investments to support greater access to these experiences in our region. 

To learn more about economic mobility experiences, read UpLift’s publication here. You can view event photos here. 

October 2025 | Cornerstones: Economic Opportunity and Prosperity

Capital Crossroads participated in the 2025 Inclusion Summit: Advancing Workforce and Workplaces, hosted by the Greater Des Moines Partnership in collaboration with Opportunity at Work. The summit convened business and community leaders committed to advancing inclusive workplace practices and strengthening workforce development strategies across the region. 

Capital Crossroads moderated a panel discussion focused on upskilling and reskilling employees, highlighting how reducing barriers to participation and investing in talent development helps individuals, businesses and the broader regional economy thrive. 

October 2025 | Cornerstones: Thriving Neighborhoods

Capital Crossroads partnered with Polk County Housing Trust Fund and Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity to host a housing bus tour with stops in Des Moines, Johnston, Grimes, Waukee, and Urbandale. Leaders from more than two dozen cities and organizations joined to learn about housing partnerships in action and the often-complex funding “stacks” required to bring affordable housing to our region. 

Success in affordable housing takes persistence, strong partnerships, and shared commitment to creating housing for all in our community. Learn more about housing issues in Greater Des Moines here. 

September 2025 | Cornerstones: Thriving Neighborhoods, Economic Opportunity and Prosperity

Capital Crossroads supported DART’s Reimagine initiative as the agency advanced plans to redesign its transit network to deliver faster, more reliable service across Central Iowa. The effort focuses on fewer routes with increased frequency to build a public transit system that is sustainable for the next decade and beyond. 

Capital Crossroads Executive Director Kaity Patchett was featured among community leaders in coverage of the initiative, reinforcing the role of public transportation in supporting economic opportunity, workforce access, and long-term regional well-being. 

Read the full coverage on DART’s Reimagine efforts in the Des Moines Business Record story here. 

September 2025 | Cornerstones: Thriving Neighborhoods

Capital Crossroads presented a draft Workforce Housing Model Code project at the Q3 Metro Managers Meeting, engaging city managers and assistant city managers from 13 Central Iowa communities. The presentation introduced community- and industry-informed concepts and strategies communities can consider when streamlining local zoning codes and supporting the development of workforce housing. 

The discussion served as a starting point for follow-up conversations with individual communities about aligning local policies with regional housing needs and increasing access to attainable housing options for Central Iowans.  

August 2025 | Cornerstones: Thriving Neighborhoods

In partnership with the Polk County Housing Trust Fund, Capital Crossroads supported the rollout of the Central Iowa Housing Preservation Database, an interactive tool mapping federally backed affordable housing across Polk, Dallas and Warren Counties. The launch included a regional webinar attended by more than 70 stakeholders and was accompanied by a report outlining the importance of preserving these housing resources. 

The new report discussing housing programs as well as an interactive map with local property information, can be found at pchtf.org/preservation. Check out coverage in the Des Moines Business Record here. 

July 2025 | Cornerstones: Youth Investment

Capital Crossroads hosted a panel discussion for Regional Council Members focused on the regional importance of public school bonds and their role in advancing long-term community outcomes. Education leaders from Ankeny, Des Moines, and Waukee shared data and perspectives on how strong public schools support workforce development, neighborhood vitality and economic growth. 

Regional Council members were equipped with information and resources to help support school bond efforts within their communities, reinforcing the connection between education investment and the region’s shared goals. 

June 2025 | Cornerstones: Thriving Neighborhoods   

Capital Crossroads gathered more than 20 community leaders and housing advocates to help shape a regional model code for workforce housing — an innovative opportunity to make homes more affordable and accessible to working families in Central Iowa. This collaborative effort aims to streamline the complex development process and help local communities meet their housing goals. 

Check out the list of participants in the workshop and event highlights here. 

June 2025 | Cornerstones: Thriving Neighborhoods, Community and Cultural Connections, Economic Opportunity and Prosperity    

The strength of Greater Des Moines’ regional transit system affects us all. Capital Crossroads partnered with DART and Young Professionals Connection (YPC) to bring together emerging leaders from across the metro for an inside look at the Reimagine DART process, a regional transit planning exercise, and a ride on a DART bus to experience public transportation firsthand.  

Learn more about Reimagine DART here and check out event highlights here.

June 2025 | Cornerstones: Youth Investment   

Thank you to By Degrees Foundation and Des Moines Public Schools for hosting a morning tour with Capital Crossroads and community leaders to see firsthand how innovation in education is changing the lives of students and families in Central Iowa. Education is a community effort and students need the strongest possible start to see the best outcomes.  

Check out tour highlights here and learn more about By Degrees here. 

May 2025 | Cornerstones: Economic Opportunity and Prosperity, Youth Investment   

Capital Crossroads was honored to receive the inaugural Excellence in Innovation Award from The Jacobson Institute at Grand View University! This recognition highlights our Central Iowa Workforce Development Ecosystem Map — an interactive tool designed for workforce professionals to help understand and navigate the network of entities that support workforce development in Polk, Dallas, and Warren Counties. 

Check out the Ecosystem Map here. Check out the award highlight here. 

May 2025 | Cornerstones: Thriving Neighborhoods, Community and Cultural Connections

Placemaking has transformative power within a region; it fuels the creation of spaces and opportunities that allow people to connect across diverse groups and engage with their community. Capital Crossroads Executive Director, Kaity Patchett, was featured in the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build Breakfast video, reminding us that families and communities thrive when we intentionally create spaces that provide opportunities to all. 

Check out the full video here. 

April | Cornerstones: Economic Opportunity and Prosperity, Community and Cultural Connections

Leadership drives impact! Capital Crossroads hosted a Lead Forward Networking Reception that brought together more than 100 emerging leaders to meet the Capital Crossroads Regional Council, learn about key issues in the Roadmap to Opportunity and Prosperity for All, and explore how they can help shape the future of our region.
Check out event highlights here.

Capital Crossroads, in collaboration with the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s DSM Workforce Collaborative, launched the Central Iowa Workforce Development Ecosystem Map! This new, interactive tool makes it easier than ever to explore and connect with workforce development programs and resources in Polk, Dallas, and Warren Counties. The map is the result of extensive multi-sector collaboration over the past year and made possible by support from Prairie Meadows. 

Check out the map here.

We’re stronger together! Capital Crossroads is proud to unite community members, leaders, and organizations across sectors to drive meaningful progress on regional priorities. Hear from CXR Regional Council Members as they share insights on the importance of regional collaboration in shaping Central Iowa’s future success.

Check out the video here.

Capital Crossroads joined Des Moines Public Schools to celebrate the return of Central Campus DSM’s Early Childhood Education Program for the 2025-2026 academic year! This Capital Crossroads-supported initiative gives high school students valuable education and hands-on experience in childcare, ultimately helping address a critical workforce need in Central Iowa. By nurturing future childcare professionals, we’re building a stronger, more sustainable future for our community.

Learn more about the program here.

Learn more about how Capital Crossroads and our community partners are bringing Central Iowa’s vision plan to life and check out 2024 highlights from of our work in childcare, pre-K, career pathways, and workforce housing. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our funders, Chairs, Regional Council Members, community partners, and everyone who contributed to our collaborative efforts throughout the year.

Check out the full annual report here.

Access to high-quality early childhood education is essential for building a strong foundation for long-term academic and professional success. This issue extends beyond education; it is an economic imperative. That’s why expanding access to all-day pre-K is a top priority in the Capital Crossroads Roadmap. Together, we advocate for increased funding and support for all-day pre-K, ensuring every child in Central Iowa has a strong foundation for lifelong success.

Check out the full video here.

Capital Crossroads celebrated National Apprenticeship Week alongside the U.S. Department of Labor and regional partners to highlight the value of apprenticeships. Check out our videos below:

Much of Central Iowa’s growth and success can be attributed to regionalism: a strategy that allows cities and sectors to leverage their collective assets and strengths to address challenges and promote economic development. Hear from CXR Regional Council Members as they discuss regionalism’s importance not only to Central Iowa’s ability to compete for business and top talent, but also to retaining its status as a great place for everyone to live, work, and play.

Check out the full video here.

Building an adequate supply of quality workforce housing is critical to Central Iowa’s growth and success. Through Here We Grow, Capital Crossroads and Polk County Housing Trust Fund hosted an educational bus tour with nearly 50 community leaders from Polk, Dallas, and Warren Counties featuring stops in Des Moines, Cumming, Carlisle, and Norwalk where local developers shared their approaches to building affordable homes for working families. A big thank you to Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, Diligent Development, Hubbell Homes, Progressive Builders, Tanzanite Homes Co Inc., and Greenland Homes for participating!

Learn more about this event and the Here We Grow housing collaboration:

Capital Crossroads was honored to lead a breakout session at the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s inaugural Regional Summit. This event brought together community, business, and civic leaders from across the Greater Des Moines region to connect, learn, and collaborate on forward-thinking solutions. During the session, local experts from Simpson College, Polk County, Des Moines Public Schools, and Horizon Group explored the power of regional visioning and cross-sector collaboration.

Check out details from the event here.

Capital Crossroads was honored to co-sponsor the UpLift Community Conversation, “Fixing the Foundation: Solutions to Central Iowa’s Housing Needs.” Community members joined local housing experts from Polk County Housing Trust Fund, Homeward, Iowa Legal Aid, HOME, Inc., and IMPACT Community Action Partnership to discuss current trends in affordable housing and how our neighbors and communities are impacted by housing challenges. Check out details about the conversation below:

Capital Crossroads convened a task force of community leaders from business, government, education, and nonprofit sectors to workshop the Central Iowa Workforce Development Ecosystem Map. A big thank you to all our partner organizations and CXR Regional Council Members for their collaborative efforts as we worked together to advance solutions for a thriving regional workforce!

Check out details from the workshop here.

The Greater Dallas County Development Alliance hosted an engaging Lunch and Learn with Kaity Patchett, the Executive Director of Capital Crossroads. Community leaders and elected officials from West Des Moines, Waukee, Clive, Urbandale, Johnston, and Grimes gathered to discuss the Capital Crossroads Roadmap, a comprehensive vision to inspire community members, leaders, and organizations
to focus on specific goals that are critical to our region’s future success. A big thank you to DALCO for organizing!

Check out details from the event here.

As part of the Here We Grow housing collaboration, Capital Crossroads and the Polk County Housing Trust Fund convened Central Iowa builders, developers, and housing experts to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and regional strategies that could make housing of all types easier and cost-effective to build, while also gathering perspectives on workforce housing attainability. Thanks to Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity for hosting this important discussion!

Learn more about this event and the Here We Grow housing collaboration:

Capital Crossroads and Polk County Housing Trust hosted a Workforce Housing Workshop for communities in eastern Polk County as part of our Here We Grow initiative. We were honored to have local experts from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa Finance Authority, and Hatch Kiernan Galloway Development share their knowledge and resources, and grateful to have leaders from Pleasant Hill, Bondurant, Altoona, and Mitchellville join and share thoughts on how we can tackle issues like housing affordability and availability.

Check out details from the event here.

Capital Crossroads was honored to present to the Mid-Iowa Area League of Governments on the Roadmap, regional collaboration, and the critical need for workforce housing. We were joined by mayors and staff from several Central Iowa communities, along with representatives from the Polk County Housing Trust Fund and Cutler Development. Thank you to the City of Altoona for hosting!

Check out details from the event here.

Here We Grow hosted a Capital Crossroads Community Leaders Housing Luncheon and served as a keynote speaker at the Polk County Housing Trust Fund’s Housing Matters Symposium. The events brought together a diverse group of community leaders to engage in discussions on the critical issue of workforce housing. Special thanks to The Brookings Institution for contributing to the conversation and sharing valuable insights on making a meaningful impact.

Check out details from the event here.