Winneshiek County

Winneshiek County is a special place and the quality of life offered is unmatched. As a Home Base Iowa Community, we are looking forward to welcoming veterans into our communities. With historic down towns, scenic bluffs and river valleys, it's easy to see why many people choose Winneshiek County to make their home. Our nationally ranked and recognized schools help us support and create leaders today for tomorrow. The thriving business and real estate in Winneshiek County help make this a place where people want to live, work, play and grow.
Date of HBI Establishment: September 2017
Website: Winneshiek County
Contact: Stephanie Fromm / director@winneshiekdevelopment.org / 563-382-6061
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.

Northeast Iowa Community College

Northeast Iowa Community College, with campuses in Calmar and Peosta, is a student-driven, community-focused, higher education institution serving eight counties in northeast Iowa and surrounding areas. Offering more than 85 academic programs of study in addition to online and blended learning, customized business and industry training, short-term certification options and adult education and literacy, NICC is committed to affordable, high-quality education and training to ensure the growth and vitality of northeast Iowa.  

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.

Winneshiek 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.

  • Pre-Application – We will offer a pre-application job form on the Winneshiek County Home Base Iowa page that can be completed and sent to the employer of the veteran’s choice along with a letter of recommendation on behalf of Winneshiek County Development. The employers will then contact the veteran for the next step if interested in hiring the individual.
  • Community Single Point of Contact – The Winneshiek County Development Director, Stephanie Fromm, will be listed on the Winneshiek County Development Home Base Iowa page to be the contact person for the veteran. The Director will then arrange for the veteran to receive their welcome package incentives.
  • Welcome folder – Each veteran that visits Winneshiek County through the Home Base Iowa program will receive a welcome folder including community information, popular sites to see and employer information.
  • Community Tour – The Director for Winneshiek County Development will arrange a tour for the community the veteran is interested in located to.
  • Hotel Incentive – Winneshiek County Development will pay for a hotel room for any veteran visiting a Winneshiek County employer for potential employment (Hotels include Quality Inn & SuitesSuper 8Country Inn & Suites or Fairfield Inn & Suites subject to availability). Please contact Stephanie Fromm to arrange for lodging and to take advantage of the incentive.
  • Winneshiek County Housing Incentive
    • Decorah Bank – Veterans can finance up to 100% of the purchase price and lock in up to a 30-year fixed interest rate.
    • Kerndt Brothers – $1,000 closing cost credit for new or refinanced mortgage loans. Veterans can also finance up to 100% of the purchase price and lock in up to a 30-year fixed interest rate.

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.