Chronicle Editorial

By: 
Chronicle Staff

Home Base Iowa program a good move for Franklin County

 

     Recent efforts to make our community a more welcoming place for military veterans is a step in the right direction for Franklin County and the businesses that call it home.

     Local officials have been pushing a new initiative called Home Base Iowa that aims to draw former servicemen and women to communities statewide. The program was signed into law this year and allows local governments and businesses to create special incentive packages that attract veterans while simultaneously stimulating economic development. Local governments can offer things like tax exemptions for new veteran-owned businesses, and financing institutions can offer special rates on mortgages and other loans. If enough local businesses and government entities hop on board, Franklin County could earn Home Base Iowa Community designation and get placed on a special list.

     As one might expect, local support for the program is high. Karen Mitchell, director of the Franklin County Development Association, has gauged interest among employers expected to experience growth during the next few years. All have pledged their support, and the same is true for local city councils and the board of supervisors.

     Community backing is a key component of the Home Base Iowa program, but it's only the beginning. Franklin County's business leaders and elected officials must continue to work together and formulate a comprehensive incentive package to make us stand out amongst the crowd. This program is a worthwhile initiative that won't see much resistance across the state – nobody wants to seem unfriendly to veterans. While we may not be able to keep up with more populated counties and cities in Iowa, we can most certainly try to outdo counties comparable in size to us. It’s very important we attract this age group to our area to replace an aging workforce.

     Becoming a Home Base Iowa Community will be a county-wide effort that could take some time. An estimated 350,000 troops are expected to be discharged from the military over the next few years, and they need to go somewhere. However, it's unlikely Franklin County will see a mass influx of veterans if we earn special designation. The amount of veterans that move to our community might be moderate, but we still need to keep the pedal to the metal and develop the best incentive package we can offer.

     Whether or not the Home Base Iowa program becomes successful across the state is completely dependent on the effort communities like ours put forth to attract veterans. It seems like a great program that could help many veterans get a leg up once they're discharged from the military, but they need a reason to move here. Franklin County could be extremely marketable: we've got manufacturing jobs, welcoming communities and a high quality of life. But then again, so do other counties. Accentuating the positives and adding a few other attractions is key to making Franklin County a successful Home Based Iowa Community in the future.

Hampton Chronicle

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Hampton, IA 50441
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