Calhoun County

Calhoun County offers a variety of incentives for qualifying veterans. The community of Calhoun County is an agriculture based, small rural area that offers numerous opportunities and attractions for those passing through, those who come to visit, and those who call our area home. While we may seem like a quiet little county, activities abound year-round throughout our communities. We have the Twin Lakes Recreation Area "Iowa's best-kept secret" where you can camp, boat, fish, swim, or travel the 7-mile trail that loops the north lake. There are numerous town celebrations and community and civic events to keep your calendar full. Be sure to balance those activities with visits to our historical attractions and museums, along with stops at our local farmer's markets and many unique shops and restaurants.
Date of HBI Establishment: December 2019
Website: Calhoun County Website
Contact: Rich Shinn / rshinn@calhouncounty.iowa.gov / 515-573-1479
Cities: About Home Base Iowa Cities

About Home Base Iowa Cities

Home Base Iowa cities provide additional resources and discounts for veterans who relocate to these communities. The incentives stand alone or complement those offered by the county and state. All the cities listed have passed a city council resolution supporting the program, provide an incentive/welcome package, ensure 10 percent of eligible businesses are involved with Home Base Iowa and have the option to purchase Home Base Iowa signage.

Click on the other tabs to view veteran resources, higher educational institutions and all county and statewide incentives.

County Veteran Offices

These should be veterans first point of contact and every county has a Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and a County Veterans Director. These offices assist veterans with compensation/pensions, medical care, military records, grave markers and veteran home loans. Some counties also have dedicated funds to assist with temporary shelter/utilities, food/health supplies, medical/dental, job placement, counseling and transportation. Visit the County Veterans Office page and click on the county of residence.  

IowaWORKS Centers

IowaWORKS Centers are committed to providing quality employment services to all military service members and their spouses. All veterans and their spouse may be eligible for priority service.  Please let a team member know upon check-in of your veteran status. IowaWORKS Centers provide a full range of job/career assistance. Individual services include:

  • Career counseling and job search skills development
  • Help locating employment and Registered Apprenticeship opportunities
  • Academic skill testing and hands-on computer classes
  • Creating resumes/cover letters and interview preparation

Iowa National Guard Services

The Warrior & Family Services Branch is a Joint Force initiative that provides assistance to all military families, regardless of branch or component, who find themselves beyond the support capability of active duty military facilities or their home units. The Warrior & Family Services Branch acts as a network that allows families to mutually support one another. By providing families with information, resources and support, the program strengthens both the unit and service members. To learn more about these services, visit the Warrior & Family Services page to learn more.

Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)

The Iowa ESGR team is comprised of approximately 106 dedicated volunteers and three full-time staff members prepared to engage, inform and support employers and reserve component members throughout the state. Iowa has a proud history of outstanding employer support for reserve component members. Today’s team continues this tradition through a strong emphasis on “prevention through education.” To learn more visit the Iowa ESGR.

Non-Profit Statewide Veteran Support Organizations

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, war-time veteran organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is a community-service organization which has reached nearly three million members, men and women at almost 15,000 American Legion posts worldwide.  The American Legion Department of Iowa is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa.  The Department Service Office is located in the Federal Building in Des Moines, with an additional office located in the VA Medical Center in Iowa City. Visit the Iowa Legion or email: info@ialegion.org.

An Introduction to CHAMPs

Iowa's Certified Higher Academic Military Partners (CHAMPs) offer higher education incentives to qualified veterans, their spouses and dependents. Benefits include in-state tuition rates, on-campus support, credit for military courses and special financial considerations.

Calhoun County Veteran Incentives

Home Base Iowa communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please view city incentives below and contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

Lohrville:
  • City of Lohrville offers a 5-year tax abatement of 100% on the first $75,000 for any resident that builds a new house or improves an existing house that increase the actual value of the home by 15%
  • Friends of the Lohrville Library welcome new residents with a bag filled with goodies, including cups, pens, magnets, business cards, flyers, etc. and some freshly baked cookies. Welcome bags participants include United Bank of Iowa, Visions community betterment group, Kirby Insurance, Friends of the Library, Town & Country Insurance, City of Lohrville, Burd’s Bar & Grill, Pugs Pub, Roto Rooter, Schmitt Accounting & Tax, Champion Auto, Gemberling Excavating, GK Builders, and Lohrville Locker.
Manson:
  • Braginton Lots for home building – lots are listed at $20,000 each with a $5,000 rebate if construction of the dwelling is commenced within the two year period following the purchase of the lot. Construction must be completed within 18 months of construction start date.
  • City of Manson offers a partial tax exemption to commercial businesses located within a designated area within the corporate limits of Manson. Qualified real estate is real property, other than land, which is located within the revitalization area and to which improvements have been added, which have increased the actual value by a least 10 percent. The value of the real estate improvements, which qualify under this plan, shall be eligible for the following schedule of tax exemption:
    • Year 1 75% of Tax Value Abated; Year 2 60% of Tax Value Abated; Year 3 45% of Tax Value Abated; Year 4 30% of Tax Value Abated; Year 5 15% of Tax Value Abated; Year 6 Full Tax Value of Improvements are Collected.
  • The City of Manson offers a partial tax exemption to qualified industrial property on which improvements have been made. The tax exemption applies to the actual value added to industrial real estate by new construction within the City of Manson and the acquisition of, or improvement to, machinery and equipment assessed as real estate. The amount of qualified value added, shall be eligible for the following schedule of tax exemption:
    • Year 1 75% of Tax Value Abated; Year 2 60% of Tax Value Abated; Year 3 45% of Tax Value Abated; Year 4 30% of Tax Value Abated; Year 5 15% of Tax Value Abated; Year 6 Full Tax Value of Improvements are Collected.
  • • New Manson residents receive a “welcome bag” containing information about the community, school, organizations, and businesses, including coupons.
Lake City
  • Residential and commercial real estate improvements may qualify for tax abatement. To qualify for tax abatement, the eligible improvement must increase the actual value by at least 15%. Applications are available at City Hall and must be filed with the City for each exemption claimed.
Rockwell City
  • New residential construction and other building projects may qualify for tax abatement; contact the City Hall at 712-297-7041 for details and to see if your project qualifies.

Pomory

  • Residential or Commercial tax abatement is available for new building construction.  Tax abatement criterial for any propoery built within Pomeroy City Limits is dependent upon the following criteria: 
    • New building construction must begin within 2 years of lot acquisition.
    • New building construction must be completed within 2 years of the construction start date.
  • Call City Clerk at City Hall for locations, pricing, and more information.  (712) 468-2411

Home Base Iowa Statewide Veteran Incentives
The Home Base Iowa Act positions Iowa as a leader in respect, support and employment of veterans through a public-private partnership. The Iowa Legislature passed the Act in a broad bi-partisan manner and then Governor Terry E. Branstad signed it into law on Memorial Day, 2014. The Act contains the following incentives:

Please contact the County Veterans Office or the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs for more information.