Warren County

Founded in 1846, Warren County covers a good portion of Downtown Des Moines and provides highlights such as the Des Moines Symphony, the Blank Park Zoo, the Iowa Events Center and much more. Take a stroll through Lake Ahquabi State Park in Indianola or various farmer's markets. As a Home Base Community since January 2016, Warren County has a strong commitment to veteran job placement, health care and education.
Date of HBI Establishment: January 2016
Website: Warren County
Contact: Dave Titus / va@warrencountyia.org / 515-962-5102
Cities: About Home Base Iowa Cities, Des Moines, Indianola, West Des Moines, Norwalk

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.

Indianola

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 Indianola, incentives include:

  • A $1,500 incentive to qualified veterans purchasing a home within Indianola.  

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2016

West Des Moines

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 West Des Moines, incentives include:

Home Base Iowa Community Established: September 2015

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.

Drake University

Drake University is recognized as one of the finest institutions of higher learning in the Midwest. A mid-sized, private university in Des Moines, Iowa, we offer the benefits and resources of a larger institution along with the advantages of intimate class sizes and close personal relationships. Our mission is to provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship.

Simpson College

Simpson College is a four-year institution located in Indianola with an enrollment of 1,400 full-time students. Simpson also has campuses in West Des Moines and Ankeny and is a United Methodist affiliated, independent, undergraduate, coeducational, liberal-arts college. Simpson College offers a nurturing academic environment and is close to career and entertainment options that Iowa's capital city offers.



 

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.

Warren 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.

  • Home Incentives:
    • County: Provide $1,000 to up to ten veterans per year who purchase their first home in Warren County.
    • Indianola: The first ten veterans who purchase a home as their primary residence in Indianola will receive a $1,500 incentive.
    • Milo: First ten veterans who purchase a home as their primary residence in Milo will receive a $500 incentive.
    • Norwalk: New home incentive is abatement of 1/3 of the value of the home, up to $75,000 for five years.
    • Carlisle: 100% tax abatement for five years on new home construction.
  • Business Incentive
    • WCEDC will be offering a $1,000 incentive to any veteran who opens a new business, or any existing veteran owned business that is expanding. The funds will be available to the first ten veterans per year. 

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.