The history of the Mid-America Group is closely tied to the career of Marvin A. Pomerantz. Born in Des Moines, Iowa on August 6, 1930, Mr. Pomerantz graduated from The University of Iowa in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce. In 1961, he founded Great Plains Bag Corp. and Great Plains Equipment Co. (which eventually became Mid-America Investment Co. in 1972) and served as their President and General Manager for 14½ years.

Shortly after founding Great Plains Bag Corp., and with a need for additional warehouse space, Mr. Pomerantz created Mid-America Realty Company to own the bag plant and a building next door. He then proceeded to build a new warehouse. A long-term tenant was found for the warehouse, so he built yet another warehouse. The theory - to build a building suitable for a variety of uses, fill it, then lease it and build again - led to the formation of Mid-America Development Company (originally called Mid-America Realty Company) on December 1, 1972.

In the mid-1970's, Mid-America Development Company began undertaking joint ventures on build-to-suit projects, including the company's association in West Properties Partnership forming the Westridge Office Park in West Des Moines; a joint venture project for the Des Moines Northwestern Bell Telephone Company Piekenbrock work center; a partnership arrangement (during 1979) for the purchase, development, leasing and management of the Colorado Springs Service Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and again, a joint venture agreement for the construction of the Waterfall Glen Office Park with the Levy Organization of Chicago, Illinois (in 1984) to construct a quality office park in the Chicago area.

In December of 1988, the Company announced a new venture in the residential and commercial brokerage business. In March 1990, the brokerage company entered into a franchise agreement with Coldwell Banker. In February 1992, the Company was fully integrated into the Mid-America Group, Ltd. companies and is now known as Mid-America Real Estate Co. and is doing business as Coldwell Banker Mid-America Group, REALTORS and Mid-America Commercial Real Estate.

By December 1990, the Mid-America Group controlled over one million square feet of industrial space and close to a million square feet of office space. Mid-America Investment Co., continues to develop commercial and residential real estate. Land zoned for single family homes is developed into attractive neighborhoods complete with parks, trails, and other amenities. These lots are sold to builders with covenants dictating land usage and construction. The Woodlands is a 155-acre development of executive style homes in Clive, Iowa. Ashland Meadows in Ankeny, Iowa is currently being developed as a mixed use, pedestrian friendly community.

During 2000, work began on Mid-America's next Class A office park, Northpark Business Center. Located in Urbandale at the junction of I-80/35 and 86th Street, Northpark is positioned to be the next premier suburban office/retail campus. Also that year Mid-America Group began work on a 156 acre community located in northwest Ankeny. Ashland Meadows is designed to combine the best features of urban living with the conveniences suburban residents expect. A mixed-use development with schools, churches, shopping and a variety of residential options close at hand, Ashland Meadows is positioned to be the lifestyle choice of the next decade.

In 2006 residential sales began in South Maple Grove. At just under 220 acres, South Maple Grove is truly a city within a city. The development, west of the Des Moines Golf and Country Club, integrates over 300 residential lots with strategically placed support commercial and medium- and high-density developments, as well as a Waukee elementary school and neighborhood park.