Cass County is the latest County to partner with the state of Iowa and the Home Base Iowa (HBI) initiative to become a Home Base Iowa Community. At an event held today (Wednesday) morning in Atlantic, Jason Kemp, a retired Air Force Veteran and Program Manager for Iowa Workforce Development/Home Base Iowa, said Cass County is the 91st Home Base Iowa Community .(Click on the left side of the sound bars below to listen)

Home Base Iowa is a statewide program designed to assist veterans transitioning back into civilian life. It helps Veterans and transitioning Service Members find positions at Iowa companies, pursue continued education, continue their service through the Guard or Reserves or any combination of those.

Cass County, in partnership with Home Base Iowa, will provide veterans countless resources and opportunities in Iowa.

Kemp said there are 130 Veterans published on Home Base Iowa. 36 of them are interested in opportunities in Cass County or Statewide. 17 have wage expectations of $55,000/year or less. He said they average 45 new Veterans per month. He said as the program continues to grow and be used by more veterans, it’ll be easier to share both statewide and local resources, opportunities and assistance. Cass County Veteran’s Affairs Director Mitch Holmes said during the event, said the transition from active military-to civilian life can be a big challenge.

HBI Program Manager Jason Kemp

Their training and discipline, he said, makes them a perfect fit for employers needing a consistent, dependable employee.

With Iowa’s current unemployment rate at 2.4 percent, businesses are looking to hire skilled workers. The Home Base Iowa program helps connect Iowa businesses with qualified veterans looking for career opportunities. Home Base Iowa’s private-public partnership provides a high level of commitment for veterans, transitioning service members and their families.

For more information go to homebaseiowa.gov.