==== I would think that Des Moines ====
I’ll answer that with a link to the map showing non-stop destinations from Des Moines.
http://www.dsmairport.com/flight-and-travel/non-stop-destinations-map/default.aspx
Salt Lake City is as close as you can get to Seattle in one hop. Birmingham is even worse - Denver.
I’d look at cities that offer Tech and a hub airport. They’ve also indicated they want a city with a downtown and with transit, and affordable housing. Austin, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Denver come to mind. Raleigh is iffy on the urban markers but might make the list (barely enough airport to qualify), as might Atlanta. Boston would be a longshot but might also make the list. Central Florida would be a very long shot.
Anyplace else would probably have to throw in NFL Stadium sized money.
Des Moines has a nice downtown with second-story skywalks for the Winter and a mall within. Real estate is relatively cheap, there are several good universities nearby and a bus system. High literacy, rural work ethic, expandable airport and decent schools.