An initiative to hire veterans in Iowa may be a designation Washington County seeks. The Home Base Iowa program, which helps transition those in the military to the private sector, or from “deployment to employment,” was explained yesterday at a WEDG, Washington Economic Development Group, seminar with about 50 area business and governmental representatives in attendance.

Kathy Anderson with Home Base Iowa states the program may be able to help area employers. She adds there are three requirements to become a Home Base Iowa community: 10% of businesses in the community need to sign on for the program, an incentive package needs to be created and signage declaring a Home Base Iowa community needs to be displayed. The incentive package Anderson speaks of may include helping with moving costs, closing costs on a home and a tax abatement.

For example, in Greene County, veterans receive $1,000 in moving costs, assistance with closing costs on a home and a three year tax abatement. So far this has attracted four veterans and their families to Greene County.

WEDG Director Ed Raber says area employers will be surveyed to see if the program is something they’d like to pursue and then it will be presented to area governments.