American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company Commits $5M to Pro Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa (June 18, 2021) — American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company® — a Greater Des Moines-based insurance company — is the latest to join in the private fundraising effort to design and build a multi-use professional soccer stadium and Global Plaza in downtown Des Moines with a $5 million contribution. 

“We are delighted to support this public-private partnership with this financial investment,” said Anant Bhalla, CEO and President of American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company.  “The legacy Dico Industrial EPA Superfund site has been an eyesore in the region for over 20 years, and we want to be part of the metamorphosis of this site and work with other leaders in the metro area to attract diverse and dynamic talent to the metro area.”

The Iowa Soccer Development Foundation, the local nonprofit in charge of the fundraising efforts, has raised over $19.6 million toward its private funding goal. Pro Iowa and Iowa Soccer Development Foundation leaders are in continued conversations regarding the future of the Superfund site and its potential for redevelopment into the Pro Iowa Stadium and Global Plaza. Cleanup on the Superfund site is scheduled to begin this month by the EPA, and is to be completed later this summer by the City of Des Moines.

“American Equity’s core values of serving and contributing to the communities where they live and work align with Iowa Soccer Development Foundation’s mission,” said Charley Campbell, Iowa Soccer Development Foundation secretary. “Pro Iowa strives to unite people through soccer and through other shared experiences with the redevelopment of the Superfund site and creation of Iowa’s first professional soccer stadium.”