http://heartlandciviccollaborative.org/Civic and business leaders from Des Moines have joined with their counterparts in three other Midwest metro areas to push the region's economic priorities.
The metros — Des Moines, Omaha, Kansas City and St. Louis — have formed the Heartland Civic Collaborative. Together, leaders from each of the metros said, the four areas can work as a "mega-region" to leverage resources and boost their economic competitiveness.
Jay Byers, CEO of The Greater Des Moines Partnership, said together the four metros can "act larger than what we are on our own."
“This is a global issue. Every one of us — all of our companies, cities, regions — we are competing at a global level and we have to figure out ways to work better together," Byers said.
Leveraging those resources, including the eight U.S. senators and 19 U.S. House members who represent the region, would help the four metros lobby for their priorities, such as more funding for interstates.
The Heartland Civic Collaborative is starting with four priority areas: transportation, supporting entrepreneurship, boosting the Midwest's life sciences industry and creating a federal advocacy agenda.
Heartland Civic Collaborative
Moderators: Coyote, nebugeater, Brad, Omaha Cowboy, BRoss
Heartland Civic Collaborative
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/ ... /78998318/