Ida County

Ida County was established in 1851. The first white child born in the county was a girl to Ed and Margaret Smith and was named Ida. (Some say she was named for the county; others say the county was named after her.) Ida County contains the following municipalities: Arthur, Battle Creek, Galva, Holstein, and Ida Grove. There are 12 townships, and the 2020 census shows a population of 7,005. The county is basically agricultural, although three manufacturing companies employ several hundred people, along with many other small businesses and employment opportunities. Ida County is home to Moorehead Park near Ida Grove and Crawford Creek near Battle Creek for fishing and camping. Holstein and Ida Grove are home to beautiful golf courses and recreation centers, and each has a newly renovated movie theater. Harold Hughes, a native son of Ida Grove, was Governor of Iowa 1962-1968. In 1987, Bruce M. Snell, Jr. of Ida Grove, was named to the Iowa Supreme Court by Governor Branstad.
Date of HBI Establishment: February 2024
Website:
Contact: Dale Ullrich / Dullrich@idacounty.ia.us / 712-364-4176
Cities:
There are no partner cities located in this county.

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.

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. 

There are currently no CHAMPs partners located in this county. Please check surrounding communities for CHAMPs offering online programs.

Ida County is proud to offer the following incentives:

  • $1,500 home purchase cost reimbursement to Veterans who relocate to Ida County
  • $500 reduction in closing costs when purchasing a home within Ida County provided by Banks of Ida County
  • SCSB: $500 credit on closing costs for military members who purchase a primary home as a new resident of Ida County. (subject to credit approval, bank reserves the right to terminate the offer at any time)

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.