But the new chief executive officer of the Growth Alliance said Thursday that it is the people, not the numbers, that make up the “heartbeat and grit of this community.”

“We are truly delightful Dodge,” she said during the Alliance’s Annual Dinner Thursday night at Fort Frenzy.

She said that in 2023, the Alliance worked on 12 potential economic development projects that would bring $5.3 billion in new investment and 546 new jobs.

She touted the recently announced expansion of Nestle Purina PetCare that includes $200 million worth of capital investment and 50 new jobs paying $27 to $30 per hour.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Guests at the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Annual Dinner listen during the program Thursday night at Fort Frenzy.

“The essence of our organization lies in the ability to catalyze growth,” she said. “We’re stewards of a vision that goes beyond numbers and statistics.

“Together, let us continue to embrace collaboration,” she said.