Pottawattamie County

Founded in 1848, Pottawattamie County was named after the Potawatomi Native American tribe. The county has five park systems and three wildlife areas where visitors can hike, boat, camp and fish. The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is located in Council Bluffs where you can see old photographs and equipment from the transcontinental railroad. Pottawattamie County offers a variety of activities including orchards, casinos and different shopping areas. As a Home Base Community, Pottawattamie County has a strong commitment to veteran job placement, health care and education.
Date of HBI Establishment: May 2017
Website: Pottawattamie County
Contact: Peggy Becker / Peggy.becker@pottcounty-ia.gov / 712-328-5797
Cities: About Home Base Iowa Cities, Crescent, McClelland, Minden, Neola, Treynor, Underwood, Council Bluffs, Avoca , Walnut, Glidden, Oakland, Hancock, Carson, Carter Lake, Macedonia

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.

Crescent

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In Crescent, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

McClelland

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In McCelland, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

Minden

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In Minden, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

Neola

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In Neola, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

Treynor

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In Treynor, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

Underwood

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In Underwood, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

Council Bluffs

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In Council Bluffs, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

Avoca

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In Avoca, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

Walnut

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In Walnut, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

Glidden

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In Glidden, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

Oakland

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In Oakland, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

Hancock

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In Hancock, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

Carson

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In Carson, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

Carter Lake

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In Carter Lake, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

Macedonia

Home Base Iowa (HBI) communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

In Macedonia, incentives include:

  • Contact the Pottawattamie County Point of Contact for more information

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2017

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.

Iowa Western Community College

Iowa Western Community College, located in Council Bluffs, was founded in 1967 and offers more than 80 programs of study in both Career and Technical Education, and in Liberal Arts. Nestled on 250 beautiful acres in Iowa’s Loess Hills, the college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers students the amenities and atmosphere of a larger institution combined with the comforts and quiet of a smaller campus setting. 

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.

Pottawattamie County Veteran Incentives

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

Honorably Discharged U.S. Veterans relocating to Pottawattamie County are eligible for a $2,500 Home Closing Cost Reimbursement.  Please complete the application and send it to veterans@pottcounty-ia.gov.

  • Business Incentives:
    • Bloom Works Floral: 10% off for Veterans and active military 
    • Historic General Dodge House - offers $5 admission to Veterans.  
    • Harrah’s Casino: Offers a military a $5 buffet day once a month to Veterans or active lilitary.  Must show their Total Rewards card and ID.
    • Walnut Community: $5,000.00 new small business incentive during the first year of operation.
    • Iowa Western Community College Small Business Development Center: Offers free technical assistance and counseling for individuals wanting to start their own business
    • Buck Snort, Oakland: Free Drink with purchase of any app or entre.
    • Buck Snort, Council Bluffs: 10% off with military ID.
    • Bass Pro: 10% off on merchandise online or in-store to Veterans.
    • ServcieMaster Restore, Council Bluffs: Offers 25% off on any services
    • YMCA: Free membership while on leave and no joining fee and Veteran membership discounts
    • Red Cross: For active duty service members we offer emergency communication services and resiliency workshops. For veterans, we offer referrals to their organizations that could possibly assist in providing financial assistance and we offer resiliency workshops for veterans and their families.
    • Hospice with Heart: Veteran to Veteran volunteer opportunities with hospice patients, Veteran pinning ceremonies for hospice patients
    • Sac Federal Credit Union: Financial literacy tools and better banking products. We also sponsor community veteran and military events that benefit active duty Veterans and retirees.
  • Housing Incentives:
    • Springhill Suites: Government rate on rooms $96.00
    • Hilton: Military/military family discounts on rooms
    • SCSB: $500 credit on closing costs for military members who purchase a primary home as a new resident of Pottawattamie county. (subject to credit approval, bank reserves the right to terminate the offer at anytime)
  • Employment Incentives:
    • Edward Jones Investments: We offer a special training track for Veterans to become financial advisors.
    • City of Council Bluffs: provides Veteran's extra points as part of the City's hiring procedures. More specific information can be provided by the City Human Resources Department.
    • Pottawattamie County provided additional hiring points for Veterans

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.