Earlier this month, we proudly broke ground—ceremonially, at least—on the highly anticipated Daisy Brand project in Boone. Though the rain kept us from putting actual shovels in the dirt, it didn’t dampen our excitement or the significance of the moment. We celebrated a $1.2 billion investment coming into our region as construction officially began on a 1 million square foot facility that promises to be transformative for central Iowa.
Our team at the Ames Regional Economic Alliance worked tirelessly to help the Daisy Brand team see what we already knew: that central Iowa is exactly where they needed to be. And we weren’t alone. This win was the result of a strong regional partnership that included the Boone County Economic Growth Corporation, the City of Boone, Alliant Energy, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority, among others. From facilitating land deals to learning the ins and outs of dairy production logistics, our collective efforts brought this project to life.
We talk a lot about regionalism—and this project is a shining example of what that means in action. It underscores what’s possible when public and private entities work together with a shared vision for growth.
Just last month, a colleague from across the state sent me a message that simply said, “Your team has it going on over there.” I shared that note with our team and told them what I truly believe: this is momentum. And I’m feeling it more than ever.
That momentum can be reflected in several ways. We just launched our new Live, Work, Play in Ames brand—an initiative designed to highlight the vibrancy and opportunity across our region. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to follow our new social media channels and help us spread the word.
We also wrapped up another productive legislative season, including our annual fly-in to Washington D.C. where we met with our federally elected officials. No two sessions are alike, but each year, our engagement grows stronger—and our relationships continue to yield positive results for our investors and the region as a whole.
And the projects just keep coming. In Ames, it was recently announced that Olive Garden is on its way. The Furniture Mart development between Target and Walmart is now going vertical, giving residents a glimpse of the scale of the project. In Huxley, a $100 million investment will soon be announced. JT Logistics will begin construction on the east side of I-35 along East 13th Street on a major distribution facility. Meanwhile, we’re working to support a range of new housing initiatives across the region, bolstered by Workforce Housing Tax Credit applications that are due soon.
These aren’t just headlines—they’re signals. Signals that our region is thriving, that our partnerships are strong, and that our future is bright.
That is momentum.
And we’re just getting started.
