When she stepped to the podium during Thursday’s annual dinner of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, Astra Ferris was pleased to report that much has changed since she stood behind that podium a year ago.

“In a very short time, we’ve done a lot of great things together,” Ferris, who is the alliance’s chief executive officer, said Thursday.

She reeled off a long list of accomplishments on both the economic and community development fronts. The list includes things like the debut of the food grade fructose production line at Cargill and the growth of the Junior Leadership Program.

She also reported that the alliance is pursuing 13 economic development projects. Those projects, she said, represent a potential of $2.25 billion in capital investment and 361 new jobs.

“I truly believe that much of the Growth Alliance’s success is possible due to the amazing foresight to build a collaborative process between local government and private business,” she said. “And folks, I must say that this is not typical. This is a very important and vital process, and I believe the community we all enjoy today is a product of partnership and forward-thinking.”

‘The partnerships in place to move the needle forward in our region in terms of economic development, housing, health care, education, workforce, infrastructure, and quality of place are so important, and we are better off for that intentional, collaborative process,” she added. “I look around this room tonight and see some of the best partners willing to work together to drive our community forward.”

Her list of economic and community success included:

• The new fructose line at Cargill

• The new Matt Cosgrove Rivers Edge Discovery Center

• The announcement that Lygo plans a biorefinery in Webster County

• The debut of the Albert L. Habhab Veterans Memorial Bridge

• The construction of a new Moeller Furnace & Air facility

• The opening of the fuels testing lab at Iowa Central Community College

• The opening of four new businesses in Corridor Plaza

• The announcement of a new 32,000 square foot FORCE America service and distribution facility

• The opening of Trinity Heart center

• The award of a Thriving Community designation from the state