Iowa has launched an initiative to connect veterans with potential employers in their life after service. Named "Home Base Iowa," the act was signed into law in May 2014 and includes tax breaks for former servicemembers.
According to Military Times, eligible Iowa-based veterans can now pay no state income tax on their military pensions and obtain civilian licenses for skills they acquired in the military. They can also get a $5,000 grant toward buying a house, and have the home assessed for $1,850 less than its worth, for tax purposes.
The Home Base website features a customizable job search where veterans can search for positions by their military duties. There is also updated information about job fairs and job-search strategies. Military Times reported that there is even a singular email address where soldiers can send their resume and have it forwarded to military-friendly employers throughout the state. Currently, hundreds of organizations are participating, and have helped find work for over 600 veterans.
"What we're doing in Iowa can be an example of what other states can do. We look at it as a win-win for the veteran, for the companies and also for the communities in which they locate," Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad told Military Times.