Project Highlights

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.