Henry County

Founded in 1836, Henry County was named after William Harris Crawford, a U.S. Senator from Georgia. Mount Pleasant is steep in progressive historical achievements. As home to a four-year regional university, a manufacturing hub and a unique retail district, Henry County is a great hometown. The Midwest Old Threshers Reunion is held annually prior to Labor Day. Thousands of visitors from all over the world flood Mount Pleasant to see the tribute to steam engines and antique agricultural equipment. Big name music artists also come to perform during this event. In the wintertime, Mount Pleasant holds the Festival of Lights, a holiday light drive through the park. Thrashers House of Terror is the state's top haunted house that will have visitors shaking in their boots. History enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the house Abraham Lincoln's daughter-in-law lived in, known as the Harlan-Lincoln House.
Date of HBI Establishment: May 2016
Website: Henry County
Contact: Roger Pittsenbarger / 319-385-0792
Cities: About Home Base Iowa Cities

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.

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.

Southeastern Community College

At Southeastern Community College (SCC), we're on to something. While some are beginning the journey to a four-year degree, others are learning specialized skills to enter a rewarding career. No matter what you're on to, SCC has the resources you need to set and surpass your own expectations. With an engaging campus life, unlimited amount of student resources, and supportive faculty and staff, SCC is more than a college, we're a community. Southeastern Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

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.

Henry 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.

  • Job Search Assistance:
    • Pre-Application: The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance (MPACA) will offer a preapplication job form on the Home Base Iowa page of the MPACA website that can be completed and sent to the employer of the veteran’s choice. The employers will then contact the veteran for the next step.
    • Community Single Point of Contact: A Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce representative will be listed on the Home Base Iowa page of the MPACA website and will serve as the local point of contact for the veteran. The MPACA representative will arrange for the veteran to receive welcome package incentives.
    • Hotel Incentive: MPACA representatives will arrange for one free overnight stay (courtesy of Comfort Inn or Super 8) for a veteran traveling to Henry County for a job interview with a Home Base Iowa business. Free overnight stays are limited and subject to room availability.
    • Gas/Food vouchers: MPACA will provide $25 in local “Chamberbucks” to be used like cash in local businesses to help offset gas and food costs associated with traveling to Henry County for a job interview with a Home Base Iowa business. Total vouchers not to exceed $2,000 in one calendar year.
    • Community Tour: MPACA will arrange for a community tour and facilitate meetings with various service providers in the community.
  • Transition Assistance:
    • New mortgage Incentive: Veterans receiving incentives through the Home Base Iowa program can receive $300 off closing costs of a new home mortgage from participating lenders. Funding for this incentive is limited.
    • Property Tax Abatement: The cities of Mount Pleasant, Wayland, and Winfield offer 5-year property tax abatement on first $75,000 of improvements. The City of New London offers 3 year property tax abatement on 100% of improvements.
  • Welcome Package:
    • Community discounts: Veterans joining the community through the Home Base Iowa program will receive a variety of incentives and discounts to welcome them to the Henry County community, including:
      • Scholastic Passes: Mount Pleasant Community School District will provide free events passes for one academic year to veterans with children in the Mount Pleasant Community School District.
      • Iowa Wesleyan Athletics Passes: Iowa Wesleyan University will provide free passes to athletic events to veterans through the Home Base Iowa program.
      • Chamber Membership: The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce will provide one year Associate Membership to veterans joining the community through the Home Base Iowa program. Membership benefits include access to a wide variety of networking and social events.
      • REC Center discount: The Mount Pleasant REC Center provides a discount on membership to veterans.
      • Veteran’s Affairs assistance: Assistance is available from the Henry County Veterans Service Office located in Mount Pleasant.

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.