Central Location
On the shore of Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma, Des Moines’ central location is at the heart of the vibrant Puget Sound region. Served by Highway 509 and Interstate 5, the west coast’s main freight corridor, access to Des Moines from other Greater Seattle communities is quick and easy. The city is well-served by RapidRide and light rail mass transit, making commuting to and from work simple and convenient for employees. The nearby airport and two deepwater seaports provide additional direct transportation connections for goods and services.

Downtown Marina District
The downtown Des Moines Marina District invites you to spend the day browsing through charming locally owned specialty shops. Restaurants and bistros allow you to enjoy the views over delicious fresh seafood. Stroll through a town rich in history, originally founded in the 1870’s. Explore a fine selection of souvenirs and gifts at Des Moines Drug and Hallmark; or the well-stocked wine shop with tastings every Saturday. The gourmet meat market offers the very freshest fish and seafood, packed for your transport home. After-hours the Des Moines Marina District features elegant or casual dining, dancing, and popular sports bars. The 700-slip Des Moines Marina draws area boaters, and the 670-foot fishing pier is a highlight for kids and grownups.

Schools
The residential neighborhoods of Des Moines are served by four gorgeous new school buildings. Mt. Rainier High School is a stunning state-of-the-art facility complete with multiple gymnasiums and the latest computer technology, as well as the acclaimed International Baccalaureate program. Both ethnic diversity and success characterize the local academic climate - Parkside Elementary, at the south end of the city, is home to the District’s “Challenge Program” for top young scholars.

Highline College
The highly acclaimed Highline College also calls Des Moines home. With a student population of 18,000, the college is a terrific talent pool for employers, tailoring specific training programs to current business needs. The campus includes a branch of Central Washington University, and of Heritage University, so that four-year and graduate degrees are available. The college is especially proud of its ethnic diversity and international students it serves. Many of Highline’s resources are free and open to the public, including the Small Business Development Center and StartZone, which offer free counseling for business owners and seminars on practical topics such as accounting and internet marketing.

Owners & investors
For the business owner or investor, a site along Des Moines’ Highway 99 (Pacific Highway South) features a multitude of benefits: central location, convenient Rapidride Bus service, a planned light rail station, plentiful warehousing space, and immediate access to Sea-Tac Airport. The deepwater ports of Seattle and Tacoma are within a convenient 20-minute proximity. Large multi-acre parcels are available for development, offering water views at attractive prices. The urban hubs of Seattle, Tacoma and Bellevue.are within a 25-mile radius, with directly connected freeway access.

Click Here to be directed to the City of Des Moines Website.

Economic Development team:

Eric Lane: elane@desmoineswa.gov