The Greater Des Moines Partnership will recognize six exemplary companies for their significant contributions to the regional economy during the annual Economic Impact Awards. This event takes place at the Iowa Events Center on September 17, 2025, as part of the 2025 Regional Summit. The awards celebrate businesses that have demonstrated exceptional capital investment, innovation, and job creation in the Greater Des Moines area.
Recognized Companies and Their Contributions
This year, the Economic Impact Award winners include:
Coviance, recipient of the Jennings Kallen Advisors Entrepreneurial Award, has been based in West Des Moines since 2015. The company employs 75 individuals, with 80% residing in Iowa. Coviance offers a lending experience platform focused on home equity, utilizing its proprietary Collateral Decisioning Engine™ to enhance the decision-making process for community lenders. The company has earned national recognition, including honors from Inc. Power Partner 2023 and HousingWire Tech100 2024.
Excell Brands has expanded its national reach from Des Moines over its 45-year history, now serving over 40 retailers with approximately 45,000 storefronts. A recent expansion of 300,000 square feet has increased shipping capacity and added 50 jobs, bringing its workforce to nearly 300. The company remains committed to its local community, offering a diverse range of products from trading cards to impulse toys.
ITA Group, a 100% employee-owned engagement agency, recently expanded its global headquarters in West Des Moines from 90,000 to 152,000 square feet, with an additional 15,000 square feet under construction. This multi-million-dollar investment includes modern workspaces and amenities such as on-site daycare, fostering collaboration and innovation among its over 500 employee-owners. The company regularly hosts more than 1,000 global team members in Des Moines each year, enhancing the region’s visibility and economic vitality.
MidAmerican Energy Company, headquartered in Des Moines, serves over 1.6 million customers across four states. The company boasts a remarkable system reliability of 99.9% and offers electric rates that are 44% below the national average. In 2024, MidAmerican’s GreenAdvantage® program provided 100% carbon-free energy to its Iowa customers. Through its investments in community and economic development, the company plays a crucial role in supporting Greater Des Moines.
Musco Lighting, recognized with the Strategic Headquarters Investment Award, is a global leader in sports and infrastructure lighting. The company recently completed its largest investment to date, renovating and expanding its global headquarters in Oskaloosa by 74,000 square feet. This project, along with various other capital investments across Iowa, has enabled Musco to continue its growth in research and development, benefiting its workforce of over 1,400 employees.
Osmundson Manufacturing, with a history spanning more than 120 years, remains a key player in Iowa’s manufacturing sector. The company plans to expand its headquarters in Perry, supported by the State’s High Quality Jobs Program. This initiative, along with a recent expansion in Mayfield, Kentucky, aims to generate job growth in Iowa and address the evolving requirements of the agricultural industry.
A Celebration of Economic Contributions
Now in its 43rd year, the Economic Impact Awards serve to highlight companies that have made substantial capital investments in the Greater Des Moines region while contributing to job creation and community enhancement. The awards are an integral part of the annual Regional Summit, which gathers business and civic leaders to discuss priorities and explore opportunities for sustained growth.
To register for the Regional Summit, interested parties can visit the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s website. The Partnership is dedicated to economic and community development across 12 counties in the Greater Des Moines area, working with over 400 investors and a network of more than 7,200 regional business members. Through innovation and strategic collaboration, the organization aims to foster economic growth and enhance the quality of life in the region.
For more information, contact Metinka Slater at [email protected] or call (515) 216-3989. Learn more about the partnership at DSMpartnership.com.
