Kensett & Hanlontown become an HBI community

The cities of Kensett & Hanlontown have joined more than 125 other Iowa local entities who have chosen to show their support for Iowa Veterans by becoming an HBI community. Both communities were celebrated on Friday, June 20th.

Home Base Iowa is a one-of-kind program designed to connect veterans and service members with more than 2,300 businesses statewide who have pledged to hire veterans.

Home Base Iowa designates qualified communities as centers of opportunity for military veterans based on four standards:

• Within a designated community, at least 10% of eligible, hiring businesses must become a HBI business and pledge to hire veterans
• Community specific incentive package
• Community signs of HBI designation
• Resolution from the appropriate governing body

Melissa Michaelis, Executive Director of Winn-Worth Betco made it her mission to complete what her predecessor had started over a decade ago. In November of 2022, Michaelis worked with both Winnebago and Worth County in their own county HBI designation. At the same time, Michaelis partnered with the City of Northwood and Forest City to kick off the start of obtaining the designation for each of the 14 communities Michaelis serves within both Winnebago and Worth counties. Each county incentive package includes $1000 in relocation assistance to veterans moving to either county. Winn-Worth Betco has budgeted to assist with up to six veterans per year to choose either county as their home.

The City of Kensett has officially been awarded the designation of a Home Base Iowa Community offering a three month waiver of utilities.

Pictured:

Paul Andres, Local Veteran Employment Representative, Iowa Workforce Development
Representative Jane Bloomingdale
Adam Blanchard, Veteran Career Planner, Iowa Workforce Development
Corey Pulju, Mayor, Kensett
Tom Reid, Director of Veterans Affairs, Worth County
Phil Hackbart, Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Worth County
Justin Jensen, Regional Director, Senator Joni K. Ernst
Sara Cook, Business Engagement Consultant, Iowa Workforce Development
Melissa Michaelis, Executive Director, Winn-Worth Betco

The City of Hanlontown has officially been awarded the designation of a Home Base Iowa Community offering a gift basket.

Pictured:

Janette Powell, Operations Manager, IowaWorks
Sara Cook, Business Engagement Consultant, Iowa Workforce Development
Melissa Michaelis, Executive Director, Winn-Worth Betco
Justin Jensen, Regional Director, Senator Joni K. Ernst
Adam Blanchard, Veteran Career Planner, Iowa Workforce Development
Krystal Thompson, City Clerk, Hanlontown
Tom Reid, Veterans Affairs, Worth County
Greg Endelman, City Council, Hanlontown
Representative Jane Bloomingdale

Photo taken by Paul Andres, Local Veteran Employment Representative, Iowa Workforce Development

If your community would like to be the next HBI community, please contact Melissa Michaelis at director@winn-worthbetco.com. “It will be a great accomplishment to see all 14 of the communities I serve obtain this designation,” said Michaelis.

By Melissa Michaelis, Executive Director Winn-Worth Betco