HBI Community: Pottawattamie County

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HBI Communities

First Details

Date of HBI Establishment: May 2017

Contact: Peggy Becker / Peggy.becker@pottcounty-ia.gov / 712-328-5797

Description

Founded in 1848, Pottawattamie County was named after the Potawatomi Native American tribe. The county has five park systems and three wildlife areas where visitors can hike, boat, camp and fish. The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is located in Council Bluffs where you can see old photographs and equipment from the transcontinental railroad. Pottawattamie County offers a variety of activities including orchards, casinos and different shopping areas. As a Home Base Community, Pottawattamie County has a strong commitment to veteran job placement, health care and education.

Incentives and Other Resources: Pottawattamie County

Home Base Iowa communities offer valuable incentives for Veterans who relocate to their communities. For more information, please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director.

Honorably Discharged U.S. Veterans relocating to Pottawattamie County are eligible for a $2,500 Home Closing Cost Reimbursement. Please complete the application and send it to veterans@pottcounty-ia.gov.

Business Incentives:
- Bloom Works Floral: 10% off for Veterans and active military
- Historic General Dodge House - offers $5 admission to Veterans.
- Harrah’s Casino: Offers a military a $5 buffet day once a month to Veterans or active military. Must show their Total Rewards card and ID.
- Walnut Community: $5,000.00 new small business incentive during the first year of operation.
- Iowa Western Community College Small Business Development Center: Offers free technical assistance and counseling for individuals wanting to start their own business
- Buck Snort, Oakland: Free Drink with purchase of any app or entre.
- Buck Snort, Council Bluffs: 10% off with military ID.
- Bass Pro: 10% off on merchandise online or in-store to Veterans.
- ServiceMaster Restore, Council Bluffs: Offers 25% off on any services
- YMCA: Free membership while on leave and no joining fee and Veteran membership discounts
- Red Cross: For active-duty service members, we offer emergency communication services and resiliency workshops. For veterans, we offer referrals to their organizations that could possibly assist in providing financial assistance and we offer resiliency workshops for veterans and their families.
- Hospice with Heart: Veteran to Veteran volunteer opportunities with hospice patients, Veteran pinning ceremonies for hospice patients
- Sac Federal Credit Union: Financial literacy tools and better banking products. We also sponsor community veteran and military events that benefit active-duty Veterans and retirees.
Housing Incentives:
- Springhill Suites: Government rate on rooms $96.00
- Hilton: Military/military family discounts on rooms
- SCSB: $500 credit on closing costs for military members who purchase a primary home as a new resident of Pottawattamie County. (subject to credit approval, bank reserves the right to terminate the offer at any time)
Employment Incentives:
- Edward Jones Investments: We offer a special training track for Veterans to become financial advisors.
- City of Council Bluffs: The city provides Veteran's extra points as part of its hiring procedures. The city Human Resources Department can provide more specific information.
- Pottawattamie County provided additional hiring points for Veterans

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.