American Equity Investment Life Insurance Co.’s move to downtown Des Moines will continue the momentum the district has seen as it puts the shutdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror.
The company’s relocation — and the more than 700 employees it brought with it — will help increase foot traffic for other downtown businesses, such as restaurants and coffee shops, and provide American Equity employees with front-door access to events and cultural activities downtown has to offer, business and community leaders said.
It may also help draw other companies to downtown, acting as a tool for economic development, said Renae Mauk, vice president of downtown development for the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
“It sends a positive signal locally and nationally, so when our team is working with site selectors and business decision makers, it is making them think harder about moving downtown, whether that’s from out of the market or within the market,” she said…