(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced Carroll, Clay, Hancock, Humboldt and Webster counties have met the criteria to become designated as Home Base Iowa Communities. They also announced today additional Home Base Iowa Certified Higher Academic Military Partners (CHAMPs) designations for Mercy College of Health Sciences, Iowa Central Community College and Eastern Iowa Community College.

Carroll, Clay, Hancock, Humboldt and Webster Counties join the eight existing communities - Greene County, Howard County, Clarke County, Floyd County, Dubuque County, Mitchell County, Union County and the City of Marion  - in becoming certified Home Base Iowa Communities. To become a Home Base Iowa Community, an area must meet the following criteria: 10% of its businesses with potential to hire sign on as Home Base Iowa Businesses; local government supports the effort; signage indicates the community is a Home Base Iowa Community and the community creates local incentives that offer additional benefits for Veterans and that complement those in the statewide Home Base Iowa Act.

"With 1,000 Veterans hired through the Home Base Iowa efforts thus far, this program is certainly successful," said Branstad. "As these communities have demonstrated, Iowans are embracing the Home Base Iowa initiative to create communities that are welcoming and attractive to veterans and to provide transitioning military members with every opportunity for success."

Three additional educational institutions Mercy College of Health Sciences, Iowa Central Community College and Eastern Iowa Community College?join  the existing HBI CHAMPs?Upper Iowa University, Des Moines Area Community College, Mount Mercy University, University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, Hawkeye Community College and University of Dubuque . The Home Base Iowa CHAMP program allows Iowa colleges and universities to become certified for their ability to educate and assist Veterans on campus. The certification will help attract Veterans and transitioning Service Members to Iowa. It also helps academic  institutions market their campus as Veteran-friendly. To become a Home Base Iowa CHAMP, education institutions must meet criteria in each of the three categories: On-Campus Veteran Resources, Mindfulness of Service Member Transitions and Financial Considerations.

"I am pleased, but certainly not surprised, to see the continued support Home Base Iowa is receiving across the state," said Reynolds. "Today's announcement of additional Home Base Iowa Communities and Home Base Iowa Certified Higher Academic Military Partners ensures Service Members transitioning to civilian life have welcoming communities, educational resources, jobs and opportunities for continued service?all here in Iowa."

MORE INFORMATION ON EACH OF THE HOME BASE IOWA COMMUNITIES 

In Humboldt County 34% of businesses with potential to hire signed on as Home Base Iowa employers.  Humboldt County's incentive package for qualifying Veterans includes hotel and meal vouchers and a welcome package from the host community. The first five qualifying Veterans will also receive a cash bonus of $200. Additional, the first five veterans will also receive $200.00 in down payment assistance if they elect to use a local Realtor.  In addition to the county-wide incentives, the City of Humboldt offers rental assistance for up to $1,000, up to $3,500 down payment assistance, tax abatement for the first $75,000 is assessed value on new construction in one of four subdivisions, $60 in "Recreation Bucks" and guided community tours.  Questions on the local incentive package should be directed to the Humboldt County Development Association.

 

Hancock County Approximately 25% of employers with potential to hire in Hancock County have become Home Base Iowa Businesses. Hancock County welcomes Veterans to consider available opportunities with special incentives to qualifying military Veteran applicants: up to $1,000 for moving/relocation expenses; up to $500 travel allowance for job and house hunting  expenses, and sponsors and mentors for families and students?all in addition to the statewide incentives offered through the Home Base Iowa Act. Questions on the local package should be addressed to the Hancock County Economic Development.

Clay County's robust Home Base Iowa effort, working with 109 employers to become Home Base Iowa Businesses and pledging their commitment to hire Veterans, is already paying off.  In just the past few weeks, several transitioning Service Members contacted Clay County about opportunities in the area. Clay County's incentive package for qualifying Veterans includes the following: rental assistance for up to $1000, three months of free utility service, discounted closing costs for home loans, streamlined housing and job searches and discounts and gift cards for restaurants, accommodations and retailers. Questions on the local incentive package should be directed to the Iowa Lakes Corridor.

Carroll County's Home Base Iowa effort was led by volunteer board members and staff of the Carroll Area Development Corporation (CADC).  Through the efforts, forty seven businesses have committed to hiring Veterans through 2018. Carroll County considers the program a win-win for area employers and those seeking employment and offers the following incentives including a streamlined application process to Carroll County employers; complimentary one-year membership to either Carroll Recreation Center, Carroll Aquatic Center or Carroll Municipal Golf Course; complimentary one-year membership to Carroll Young Professionals and Hy-Vee gift card. In addition, those moving to the City of Manning would also receive income-qualified down payment assistance, tax abatement for new construction housing or rental assistance, complimentary family membership to Recreation Center and indoor pool and much more. Contact the Carroll Area Development Corporation for questions on local incentives.

Webster County incentives include assistance with lodging and meals, veteran-guided tours  and a welcome basket.  Iowa Central Community College and Buena Vista University also offer considerable additional incentives for students attending those institutions. In addition, the City of Fort Dodge is adding a 5-year, 100% tax abatement on the first $75,000 on a new home or improvements and "recreation bucks" at City of Fort Dodge Parks and Recreation facilities (golf course/water park).

Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance should be contacted for additional information on local incentives.

BACKGROUND ON THE HOME BASE IOWA ACT 

Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds launched the Home Base Iowa initiative in November of 2013 at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge. Branstad and Reynolds named Congressman Leonard Boswell and Casey's CEO Bob Myers the co-chairs of the initiative.

The Home Base Iowa Act was signed into law on May 26, 2014. It passed the Iowa Senate 46-0 and the Iowa House 94-2. The Home Base Iowa initiative does the following:

• Fully exempts military pensions from state income tax.
• Gives veterans, their spouses and dependents in-state tuition at Iowa's colleges and universities.
• Allows Iowa's licensing boards to adopt rules allowing credit for military training and experience in the licensing process.
• Allows private-sector companies to follow the public sector's lead by allowing a preference in hiring and promoting veterans.
• Eliminates the special plate issuance fees charged for plates associated with military service.
• Expands eligibility for the Military Homeownership Assistance Program, which provides $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.  Additional funding for the 

program is provided in a separate appropriations bill.

In addition to the Home Base Iowa Act, Branstad also signed Senate File 2352 in 2014.

Senate File 2352 an Act relating to the additional homestead credit for certain disabled veterans and including effective date and applicability provisions.

For more information on Home Base Iowa, please visit www.HomeBaseIowa.org. Those interested in becoming Home Base Iowa Communities or Home Base Iowa CHAMPS should contact Kathy Anderson, Home Base Iowa Program Manager at 515.725.3149 or kathy.anderson@iowa.gov.

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2015 marks 25 years on the air in the Quad Cities for The Dwyer & Michaels Morning radio show.  In today's fickle media landscape this is an amazing accomplishment.  Over the years the 'Guys' have built incredible loyalty due to their selfless promotion of their Quad Cities Fans and not themselves.  "The show is about our listeners, not us", according to Greg Dwyer.  "We truly believe the audience is the star."

2015 will be a celebration of Dwyer & Michaels in the Quad Cities.  As part of this celebration 97X and Dwyer & Michaels are going to build a house!  That's right in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, the Guys are building a house to benefit a deserving family identified by Habitat.  

As part of this project Townsquare Media of Quad Cities, the parent company of 97X is donating a city lot on Perry St. in Davenport for the house to be built.  

The house will be built with the help of many QCA contractors, suppliers and friends of the Dwyer & Michaels Show.  Ground breaking will take place in early May.  "What makes this so cool is the actual lot Townsquare is donating is right behind the Rock & Roll Mansion where we do the show every day!" Says Bill Michaels.

The house will be built in 25 weeks to commemorate "25 Years of Dorkdom" and can be viewed from a
24-hour webcam perched on the Rock & Roll Mansion on 97X.com.  For information on this historic event contact:

Joe Cook - Townsquare Media Quad Cities

Joe.Cook@townsquaremedia.com

Dougal Nelson, Director of Development - Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities

Dougal.nelson@habitatqc.org

On View in the Stanley Gallery March 8 - May 24, 2015

FREE ADMISSION

 

Artist Reception

March 15, 2015 from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Artist's Remarks at 2 p.m.

FREE ADMISSION - Donations of Canned Goods are Encouraged

 

Exploring Photography Session

Local Photographers invited to participate in a group discussion with Pamela Houser

March 17, 2015 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Muscatine Art Center

FREE ADMISSION

 

Artist Pamela Houser has traveled the United States and finds people experiencing homelessness wherever she goes. These individuals are cold, lonely and hungry. They are "Someone's Family", a brother, sister, parent, child, and they need help. Ms. Houser's hope is that her work will help the viewer find a deeper sense of consciousness and empathy concerning the needs of the homeless. She depicts their lives through the use of black and white photography. Candid or photojournalist photos catch them in their struggle trying to find the most basic necessities. Consistent throughout the work is their obvious lack of food and housing. Artists such as Lewis Hine, Walker Evans, Dorothea Lang and Mary Ellen Mark provide inspiration for Ms. Houser as she works to document homelessness and create social awareness.

 

Ms. Houser explains, "On recent travels I have met some wonderful people who agreed to collaborate with my project concerning people experiencing homelessness as a way to help create social awareness. I met a middle-aged lady named Patty whose struggle with mental illness led her to the streets, lost to those who loved and tried to help her. Max was a gentleman sleeping on the streets of New York City. Some kind stranger had left him breakfast on his bed of cardboard; how nice of them. A fellow named Ray was on the corner in Seattle asking for money for shelter and food. He explained that he only needed $5 per day to survive; enough for food and a bed in the shelter. I met many of our nations' veterans struggling and experiencing homelessness right in our Nation's capitol."

Ms. Houser invites local photographers to meet with her on Tuesday, March 17^th from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Muscatine Art Center. Photographers of all experience levels may attend the group discussion and are encouraged to bring examples of their own work.

Visitors to the exhibition, "Someone's Family", are encouraged to drop off canned goods which will be donated to local food pantries. Photographs by Ms. Houser may be purchased with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Muscatine Center for Social Action (MCSA). MCSA staff members are organizing a related exhibit which highlights the experiences of people living in Muscatine as well as the resources available through MCSA. This exhibit will be installed on the second floor of the Stanley Gallery.

Please contact Melanie Alexander, Director, with any questions or concerns at 563-263-8282 or by email at malexander@muscatineiowa.gov.

The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday evenings until 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Visit www.muscatineartcenter.org for more information about programs and events and to download a class brochure.