Keokuk County officially celebrated its designation as a Home Base Iowa Community on Wednesday, July 1st, with a dedication ceremony hosted by Keokuk County Economic Development in the Keokuk County Courtyard in Sigourney, according to a press release from KCED.
Community leaders, veterans, residents, and local partners gathered to mark the occasion and recognize the opportunities the designation brings to veterans and communities throughout Keokuk County.
KCED President Jeff Graff spoke about the importance of attracting veterans to the county and the vital role they play in strengthening communities, supporting local businesses, and enhancing the workforce. He emphasized the need for continued collaboration among businesses, cities, organizations, and community members to ensure veterans and their families feel welcomed and have the resources they need to build successful lives in Keokuk County.
Robert Haege, Home Base Iowa Program Manager, provided an overview of the initiative and outlined how the program connects veterans with career opportunities, community resources, and incentives designed to make Iowa one of the nation’s most veteran-friendly states. He highlighted the importance of statewide incentives and the role counties play in connecting veterans with employers and community resources.
State Representative Helena Hayes encouraged continued collaboration among local leaders and organizations in support of veterans, drawing from stories of local veterans and families to emphasize the importance of ensuring veterans are aware of and able to access available resources. As part of the celebration, Hayes announced a special contribution — 26 flags that have flown over the Iowa State Capitol, which will be presented to each of the first 26 veterans who take advantage of Keokuk County’s Home Base Iowa incentives and relocate to one of the county’s communities.
State Senator Adrian Dickey also encouraged local employers to look to veterans when filling job openings, noting that his own family’s business has participated in the Home Base Iowa program for many years with great success. Dickey said veterans bring a strong work ethic to the workplace and expressed excitement about his home county earning the designation.
The ceremony concluded with expressions of gratitude to local veterans, including members of the Sigourney American Legion and Keswick American Legion, whose participation helped make the event meaningful.
Home Base Iowa is a statewide initiative that connects veterans and transitioning service members with career opportunities, community resources, and incentives designed to make Iowa one of the top states in the nation for military veterans and their families. With the designation now official, Keokuk County Economic Development said it looks forward to working alongside local employers, communities, and organizations to attract veterans, strengthen the local workforce, and make Keokuk County a place where veterans and their families are proud to call home.
