The results are evident in employment patterns. While national employers struggle with staffing, Johnston’s major companies benefit from this educated talent pool. “Our employers have really been fortunate,” Wilwerding notes. “Historically we’ve not had near the talent issue here.” The combination of top schools, strategic location, and strong employers creates a self-reinforcing cycle attracting more families and businesses. FROM LOCAL ROOTS TO FUTURE GROWTH Johnston’s business landscape illustrates both established strength and ambitious expansion plans. The city hosts major corporate operations including Corteva Agriscience’s Global Business Center and John Deere Financial world headquarters, which manages a portfolio exceeding $40 billion across 53 countries. These anchor employers join Camp Dodge military installation in forming the economic backbone of the community. “Our core business group, our largest employers, are more office oriented,” Wilwerding explains. The northwest Beaver Drive corridor serves a different market segment. “That corridor is really focused on what I would consider the smaller, locally owned businesses, light manufacturing, a lot of businesses that cater to construction activity.” The corridor’s success has prompted planning for significant expansion. “We have annexed to our northwest along the Highway 141 corridor, and we really see the next frontier, the next opportunity for significant growth going into the future to be in that area,” Wilwerding says. The city has identified approximately 400 acres for business development in this growth area. “We’ve got a large area that we’ve identified as business uses,” he continues.“That could be that mix of office, light industrial, warehousing, those types of larger businesses that require good quick and easy access to a major highway and the interstate system.” Mayor Dierenfeld stresses the importance of existing employers while pursuing new development. 6 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
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