DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Business leaders from Des Moines and four other Midwestern cities have announced the launch of a regional economic initiative. The Tuesday kick-off event was held at the Greater Des Moines Partnership to announce the Heartland Civic Collaborative, a coalition of metro areas made up of Des Moines, Kansas City, Omaha and St. Louis that will work to strengthen the region’s economic competitiveness.

Members of the group said they would work together to lobby federal officials and seek funding for projects that help the region’s long-term growth. Other goals include improving interstate transportation, supporting entrepreneurs, and increasing the number of biotech and science organizations in each state.