Marion named ‘Home Base’ community by Gov. Branstad

More than 60 companies in Marion have pledged to hire veterans in connection with Iowa's 'Home Base Community” program.

Gov. Terry Branstad on Monday named Marion a Home Base Iowa community in recognition of local employers' desire to provide employment for veterans. The businesses also plan to post open positions within their company to an online job board targeting veterans.

The Marion Economic Development Company worked with the local business community to receive the designation. Marion is the first, and only, community in Iowa to receive the designation.

'It is no secret that finding a skilled workforce is the biggest challenge facing employers in Marion and throughout the Creative Corridor,” said Chad Heiman, MEDCO communications manager. 'Veterans leaving the military possess unique skills and training that often transition to the workforce seamlessly.”

MEDCO worked with the local YMCA, Marion Water Department and Marion Parks and Recreation Department to provide local incentives for veterans relocating to Marion.

To qualify as a Home Base Iowa Community, an area must have 10 percent of its businesses sign on as Home Base Iowa businesses. Local government must support the effort and signage is required to indicate the community is a Home Base Iowa Community.

The community also needs to create local incentives that offer additional benefits for veterans and that complement those in the statewide Home Base Iowa Act.

The Home Base Iowa Act was signed into law on May 26, 2014. It fully exempts military pensions from state income tax, gives veterans, their spouses and dependents in-state tuition at Iowa's colleges and universities, and allows Iowa's licensing boards to adopt rules allowing credit for military training and experience in the licensing process.

The law enables private-sector companies to follow the public sector's lead by allowing a preference in hiring and promoting veterans. It also eliminates the special plate issuance fees charged for plates associated with military service.