Capital Crossroads 2025 Report: Progress on Housing, Education & Regional Vision

Capital Crossroads Report Highlights Regional Progress in Housing, Education

Central Iowa’s collaborative regional planning initiative, Capital Crossroads, released its 2025 annual report last week, detailing advancements in workforce housing, education and other long-term priorities for the region.

Launched in 2011, Capital Crossroads: A Roadmap to Opportunity and Prosperity for All is now in its third iteration and guides collaborative efforts across Central Iowa through 2040. The plan centers on six key outcomes determined through research and community engagement.

According to the report, workforce housing and education were central focus areas throughout 2025, recognized as vital to the region’s sustained economic health. “Capital Crossroads exists because no single organization or sector can tackle these challenges alone,” said Dan Houston, retired chairman, president and CEO of Principal Financial Group and co-chair of the Capital Crossroads Regional Council, in a prepared statement. “The progress reflected in this year’s report shows what’s possible when leaders across business, government and the community align around shared priorities and move forward together.”

Several key milestones are highlighted in the report. These include the launch of the Central Iowa Workforce Development Ecosystem Map, a nationally recognized resource for understanding the region’s workforce landscape. The report also notes support for the reinstatement of the Early Childhood Education program at Des Moines’ Central Campus for the 2025-26 academic year, addressing a critical need for early learning opportunities. New resources for housing preservation were developed, including a database tracking federally backed housing throughout Central Iowa.

Beyond specific projects, Capital Crossroads expanded its public outreach efforts in 2025 and launched the Lead Forward event series, designed to engage emerging leaders in regional collaboration. This initiative aims to foster a new generation of civic leaders committed to the region’s long-term vision.

The Capital Crossroads initiative is steered by a Regional Council comprised of 46 leaders representing community organizations, government, and industries across Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties. The report also announced the composition of the Regional Council for the 2026-2027 term, welcoming new members to guide the initiative’s future direction.

New members joining the Regional Council include Jill Altringer of the Polk County Board of Supervisors, Bob Andeweg, mayor of Urbandale, Britney Appelgate of Wells Fargo, Deidre DeJear of Oakridge Neighborhood, Abby Delaney of Bankers Trust, Kyle Gamble of Hubbell Realty Co., Suzanne Heckenlaible of Delta Dental of Iowa, Jeff Lorenzen of American Equity, Skylar Mayberry-Mayes of the Jacobsen Institute at Grand View University and the Des Moines School Board, Doug Romig of Housing Solutions Alliance, Matt Smith of Des Moines Public Schools, and Liang Chee Wee of DMACC.

Council members serve two-year terms, providing strategic guidance to advance the region’s shared vision through collaboration and civic leadership. The ongoing work of Capital Crossroads underscores a commitment to addressing complex regional challenges through collective action and a long-term perspective.

Recent project highlights, as detailed on the Capital Crossroads website, include the publication of a white paper accompanying the Central Iowa Workforce Development Ecosystem Map, offering insights into regional strengths, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration. Capital Crossroads leaders participated in a Habitat for Humanity Women Build project, reinforcing the importance of affordable housing. The organization also hosted a workshop in October 2025, in partnership with UpLift, to discuss economic mobility and its impact on lifetime income and wellbeing.