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Des Moines Metro
Area Info
Des Moines is the capital of and the most populous city in the State of Iowa, United States. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines, owing its name to the Des Moines River (French: Rivière Des Moines, meaning "River of the Monks"), until it was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857. It is also the county seat of Polk County. The five-county metropolitan area is ranked 92nd in terms of population in the United States according to 2006 estimates with 534,230 residents according to United States Census Bureau.
Des Moines is a major center for the insurance industry and also has a sizeable financial services and publishing business base. The city is the headquarters for the Principal Financial Group, the Meredith Corporation, and Ruan Transportation. Other major corporations such as Wells Fargo, ING Group, Marsh, and Pioneer Hi-Bred have large operations in or near the metro area. Forbes Magazine ranked Des Moines as the fourth "Best Place for Business" in 2007.
Recently, Des Moines has been experiencing rapid growth in the western and southern suburbs and is quickly becoming a large metropolitan area and national center for financial business.
Articles
News from The Des Moines Register
Fleur Drive to reopen for Monday commute
Mar 21, 2010 6:36 pm
Falling river levels should allow Fleur Drive to open in time for Monday’s early morning commute, several days earlier than previous estimates, said Des Moines Public Works Director Bill Stow...
Rate swap deals cost hospitals millions
Mar 21, 2010 4:30 am
&Copy;2010, Des Moines Register and Tribune Co.
Missouri community backs corporate hog giant
Mar 21, 2010 4:20 am
Trenton, Mo. - Uncertainty about the future of a key employer in northern Missouri brought more than 1,000 supporters of Premium Standard Farms to Trenton to rally behind the corporate hog company.
Immigration rally sends Iowans off to lobby Congress
Mar 21, 2010 4:15 am
Marchers want to see changes in the way the United States deals with foreigners.
Iowa heart pioneer relished each day for 25 years
Mar 21, 2010 4:14 am
Here’s what happened in Emerson Martin’s life after the night of June 2, 1985, when at age 25 he became the first heart-transplant recipient in Iowa history:
Corps: D.M. levee contract coming soon
Mar 21, 2010 4:13 am
The Des Moines Register conducted an online question-answer session Friday with Des Moines Public Works Director Bill Stowe and representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates Sa...
Battles heat up for casino licenses
Mar 21, 2010 4:09 am
Community leaders from Ottumwa, Fort Dodge, Tama County and Lyon County are requesting casino licenses from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, contending more gambling will prove an economic boon.
Teen electrocuted climbing power pole
Mar 21, 2010 3:58 am
Creston, Ia. - Police in Creston say an 18-year-old resident there has died of electrocution after attempting to climb a power pole. The teenager has been identified as James Kosman.
Iowa flood legislation washes aside
Mar 21, 2010 3:57 am
Lawmakers are hesitant to add regulations that affect private property and cite concerns about accurate flood plain maps.
University Heights policeman purchases car seat for child
Mar 21, 2010 3:54 am
University Heights, Ia. - A University Heights police officer worried about an unrestrained child in a vehicle he pulled over purchased the boy’s mother a car seat.
