DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad welcomed the city of Grimes Friday as the 21st Iowa community to achieve the Home Base Iowa designation. The news was announced by Branstad at a press conference held at the AmericInn Lodge and Suites in Grimes.
The Home Base Iowa program connects military veterans and transitioning military service members with career opportunities in Iowa companies. The state offers veterans and service members a solid job environment, including no state taxes on military pensions, a cost of living below the national average and one of the lowest unemployment rates among U.S. states.
“Today we recognize the community of Grimes, Iowa, on their Home Base Iowa community status,” Branstad said. “I am pleased with the momentum continuing to build around our innovative jobs plan, Home Base Iowa.”
Since its founding in November 2013, Home Base Iowa has facilitated the hiring of more than 1,300 veterans and transitioning service members by Iowa businesses.
“I thank the community of Grimes for taking part in this initiative,” the governor said. “With continued partnerships between the state, communities and businesses, Iowa will establish itself as a premier location for service members leaving the armed forces in search of a civilian career.”
A community’s public-private partnership must meet four criteria in order to be named a Home Base Iowa community: At least 10 percent of the hiring businesses must become Home Base Iowa businesses; each community must develop a unique incentive package for veterans; the community must prominently display its Home Base Iowa Community signs and designations; the local governing body, whether a city or county, must pass a resolution supporting the program.
Grimes met the criteria, including offering veterans an incentive package with discounts, economic development guidance and help to start-up businesses owned by veterans.
Grimes joins the cities of Johnston, Marion and Sioux City in the Home Base Iowa program along with the Iowa counties of Carroll, Clarke, Clay, Dubuque, Emmet, Floyd, Franklin, Greene, Hancock, Howard, Humboldt, Johnston, Mitchell, Muscatine, Story, Union and Webster.
