By Katherine Harrington – President & CEO, West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce and President, WDM Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The energy in the room said it all.
With a sold-out audience of business leaders, community members, elected officials and investors, the West Des Moines Chamber’s annual State of the City Luncheon showcased a community that isn’t standing still—it is accelerating.
Mayor Russ Trimble, Community & Economic Development Director Ryan Moffatt and Parks & Recreation Director Ryan Penning each shared updates on projects, investments and initiatives shaping the future of West Des Moines. While each speaker focused on a different area, one message united every presentation:
West Des Moines is intentionally investing today to become the best city in America tomorrow.
A Bold Vision for the Future
Mayor Russ Trimble opened the luncheon by encouraging everyone in attendance to dream bigger.
He challenged guests to think about what West Des Moines still needs—whether it’s a destination restaurant, a new employer, unique entertainment or a quality-of-life amenity—and invited everyone to share ideas that could help shape the city’s future. It was a fitting way to begin a presentation focused not only on current successes, but on imagining what comes next.
That vision is already taking shape.
The Mayor highlighted the transformational Grand Experience, a destination development that will feature an indoor waterpark, hotel, convention center, family entertainment center and a covered outdoor amphitheater, surrounded by restaurants, retail, offices and housing. Together, these investments have the potential to make West Des Moines one of the Midwest’s premier destinations for tourism, recreation and entertainment.
Housing also remains a major priority.
The city is aggressively planning for future residential growth with thousands of new housing units that will support workforce needs, strengthen local schools and provide opportunities for future generations to build their lives in West Des Moines. Alongside market-rate housing, the city continues to emphasize affordable homeownership so young professionals and families can remain in the community they call home.
Mayor Trimble also highlighted West Des Moines’ strong financial position, its continued commitment to lowering property taxes while maintaining exceptional city services, and ongoing efforts to modernize city government through expanded digital services that make it easier for residents and businesses to interact with the city.
His closing message captured the spirit of the afternoon:
West Des Moines isn’t competing to be one of the best cities in the Midwest.
It is working to become the best city in America.
Economic Development Continues to Build Momentum
Community & Economic Development Director Ryan Moffatt shared encouraging news that demonstrates West Des Moines’ continued strength as one of Iowa’s premier business destinations.
Just a few years ago, vacant office space was one of the community’s greatest concerns. Today, that picture has changed dramatically.
Highly amenitized office properties such as the Arcadia Building are now approximately 90% occupied, while The Atlas Building continues to fill rapidly. Vacancy rates across the western office market have dropped significantly, creating an entirely new opportunity: the future need for additional Class A office space.
Moffatt also highlighted exciting redevelopment projects that will reshape key areas of the city.
The recently acquired Regency West Office Park is expected to evolve into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood featuring offices, restaurants, retail, housing and walkable public spaces. New zoning updates are being crafted to encourage more connected, pedestrian-friendly development while creating opportunities for future investment.
Historic Valley Junction also continues its remarkable momentum. New businesses, redevelopment opportunities and private investment are strengthening one of West Des Moines’ most distinctive districts while preserving its historic character. Demand for commercial space remains strong, creating opportunities for thoughtful infill development that complements the area’s unique identity.
Investing Ahead of Growth
One of the defining characteristics of West Des Moines has always been its willingness to invest in infrastructure before growth arrives.
Moffatt explained how more than $300 million in public infrastructure—funded largely through tax increment financing generated by Microsoft’s data center investments—has opened thousands of acres for future residential and commercial development.
Major projects including the EP True Parkway Extension, Grand Avenue Widening, Booneville Road Reconstruction and Mills Parkway Widening are creating the framework for future neighborhoods, employers and destinations. Rather than reacting to growth, West Des Moines continues preparing for it.
A Blueprint for the Next Decade
The city also recently completed its new Economic Development Strategy in partnership with Newmark, creating a roadmap for the next ten years.
Following months of research and engagement with more than 70 business and community leaders, the strategy identifies opportunities to build upon West Des Moines’ existing strengths while diversifying the local economy.
In addition to continuing leadership in finance, insurance and data centers, future growth will focus on industries including AgTech, specialty food manufacturing, regional sports and recreation, and cold chain logistics and innovation. The strategy also places greater emphasis on entrepreneurship, site readiness and strengthening the small business ecosystem.
Parks and Recreation: An Economic Engine
While parks often bring to mind playgrounds and walking trails, Parks & Recreation Director Ryan Penning reminded attendees that they are much more than community amenities.
They are a powerful economic driver.
Appropriately, his presentation came during National Parks and Recreation Month, highlighting the role parks, recreation and public spaces play in improving both quality of life and economic vitality.
West Des Moines Parks & Recreation operates with just 23 full-time employees and more than 400 seasonal and part-time staff, yet the department serves tens of thousands of residents and visitors each year through exceptional parks, facilities and programs.
Community participation continues to reach impressive levels.
Last year alone, the department recorded more than 15,000 program registrations, welcomed nearly 119,000 visitors to aquatic facilities, hosted more than 1,200 swim lesson participants, and continues to see tremendous daily use at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex.
The city’s extensive trail network is another community asset that continues to grow in popularity.
West Des Moines now maintains 81 miles of trails, and new trail counters recorded nearly 770,000 trips in 2025, providing valuable information that guides future planning while demonstrating just how important outdoor recreation has become to residents.
Neighborhood parks also continue to evolve.
Recent improvements include the completion of the new Holiday Park playground, construction of a new playground at Raccoon River Park Softball Complex, and upcoming renovations at Wilson Park, ensuring residents across the community continue to enjoy high-quality recreational spaces.
Sports Tourism is Driving Business
Penning also highlighted the enormous impact sports tourism has on West Des Moines’ economy.
National and statewide events such as the AAU Junior Olympic Games, Iowa Games Soccer and the Flatland Cup bring thousands of athletes and spectators into the community each year.
The AAU Junior Olympic Games alone will attract nearly 4,000 athletes, approximately 12,000 spectators, and generate an estimated $40 million in economic impact, including more than $20 million directly in West Des Moines.
Overall, the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, Holiday Park and Raccoon River Park generate more than $46 million annually in economic impact, while the RecPlex itself has produced more than $100 million in economic activity since opening in 2022.
Visitors fill local hotels, dine in area restaurants, shop at local retailers and support businesses across the community—demonstrating that parks and recreation have become a major component of West Des Moines’ economic development strategy.
Investing in the Next Generation
The future of Parks & Recreation continues to be just as exciting.
Legacy Woods is transforming into one of Iowa’s premier destinations for conservation, environmental education and outdoor recreation. Thanks to generous private support and more than $1.3 million in grant funding, the project continues to move forward, including the creation of a Nature Playscape unlike anything else in the state.
Meanwhile, the $62 million expansion of the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex will position West Des Moines to host even larger sporting events, conventions, concerts and community gatherings. The project will further strengthen the city’s reputation as one of the Midwest’s premier sports tourism destinations while creating additional economic opportunities for local businesses.
Building the Future Together
This year’s State of the City demonstrated that West Des Moines’ success is no accident.
Visionary leadership, strategic infrastructure investments, economic development, housing, entrepreneurship, parks, recreation and quality-of-life amenities are all working together toward one shared goal: creating a community where businesses thrive, families prosper and future generations choose to live, work and build their futures.
The sold-out audience left with a clear understanding that West Des Moines is not simply responding to change—it is helping define it.
Every new trail, every redevelopment project, every business investment, every sporting event and every neighborhood improvement builds upon the last, creating momentum that continues to set West Des Moines apart.
The West Des Moines Chamber extends its sincere appreciation to Mayor Russ Trimble, Ryan Moffatt, Ryan Penning and the entire City of West Des Moines team for their leadership and partnership, and thanks the hundreds of business and community leaders who joined us for another outstanding State of the City Luncheon.
If there was one takeaway from the afternoon, it was this:
West Des Moines isn’t waiting for the future. It’s building it—one bold investment at a time.