Lt. Governor unveils the designation at the community's Bus Tour and Official's Cookout
(WEST DES MOINES) - Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced last night that West Des Moines has achieved the Home Base Iowa Community designation. West Des Moines is now the 21st community in the state to achieve this recognition. The designation was unveiled at the community's Bus Tour and Official's Cookout, an event designed to showcase West Des Moines' newest projects and expansion plans, as well as the opportunity to network with business leaders and elected officials from local, state and federal government.
"It is such an honor to add another Home Base Iowa community to the list," said Reynolds. "Iowa counties and cities are really stepping up to support the Home Base Iowa effort. We are so proud to offer such a warm welcome to veterans and transitioning service members."
Home Base Iowa connects transitioning military members and veterans with career opportunities in Iowa companies. The state of Iowa has a lot to offer veterans and transitioning service members including no state taxes on military pension, a cost of living below the national average and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. To date, members of the Iowa Business Council, Iowa's largest employers, have hired more than 1,300 employees through Home Base Iowa.
"As we travel around the state, we hear from our businesses that they need skilled workers," commented Governor Terry Branstad. "Veterans and transitioning military members are exactly the kind of employees that our companies need. They show up equipped with skills including teamwork, dedication, a strong work ethic and problem-solving abilities that have been tested in some of the toughest situations imaginable."
Home Base Iowa designates qualified communities as centers of opportunity for military veterans based on four standards: 10 percent of hiring businesses within a designated community must become Home Base Iowa businesses, each community develops its own incentive package for veterans, the community prominently displays the Home Base Iowa Community designation, and obtains a resolution of support from the appropriate local governing body. Grimes has met the criteria and is offering an incentive package that includes various discounts for veterans as well as economic development guidance and assistance to any veteran seeking to start or locate a business within the community.
The Home Base Iowa is a unique non-profit private-public partnership that focuses on recruiting veterans and active duty service members for quality, well-paying private-sector jobs in Iowa.
- In March, Iowa was named one of only a handful of states to be designated an All-Vet State by "Hiring Our Heroes," a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
- In June, Iowa was named as the first state to offer "Hilton Honors Military Initiative." This is a program set up by Hilton Worldwide, and connects military members and their families across the nation with free lodging at Hilton hotels as they pursue their job hunt, or need somewhere to stay as they move for their careers.
- In July, Iowa was named the third "Get Skills to Work State" by the Manufacturing Institute and National Association of Manufacturers.
The initiative is currently co-chaired by Congressman Leonard Boswell and Casey's CEO Bob Meyers, both of whom are veterans themselves. For more information on Home Base Iowa, please visit www.HomeBaseIowa.gov.
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