Thank you for your interest in becoming an HBI Community. Communities in Iowa that wish to be designated as an HBI Community represent the best that our state has to offer, and therefore must meet certain requirements.

Please note that the requirements include the following five critical steps:

It is recommended that communities begin with this step. A signed resolution from the appropriate governing authority (e.g. County Board of Supervisors or City Council) is required.

Becoming an HBI Community requires that 10% of eligible businesses must be designated as an HBI business, and/or communities must make a good faith effort to reach out to local businesses.

HBI will determine if a community has met this requirement. Communities are encouraged to reach out to local businesses that may wish to become HBI Businesses as part of this onboarding process. IowaWORKS staff are available to help with outreach efforts.

The community must provide an incentive package that would ideally include 2 or 3 meaningful incentives that will help attract and retain Veterans and their families in your community. HBI can provide guidance on what incentives are most impactful, but ultimately it is up to the community to decide.

Map that identifies the proposed location of HBI Signs. Communities are responsible for the costs of HBI Signs and determining their proposed locations. Once the application has been submitted and a determination has been made that the community has met all requirements, a warm handoff will be made to the DOT POC. The Community POC will work with a local DOT technician to ensure signs are displayed in accordance with regulations and safety.

The community must identify a time and location for a dedication ceremony and the HBI Event Advance Form must be completed and returned to HBI to be shared with the Office of the Governor. The community event can be a unique standalone event, combined with other events, or as a press conference as examples. The Designation Ceremony is an important opportunity to celebrate the community’s accomplishment.

It is recommended that communities begin with this step. A signed resolution from the appropriate governing authority (e.g. County Board of Supervisors or City Council) is required.

*The community and/or the HBI program manager will determine the number of eligible employers for the community based on Labor Market Information. Typically, eligible businesses do not include sole proprietorships and businesses with under 15 employees.

The community must provide an incentive package that would ideally include 2 or 3 meaningful incentives that will help attract and retain Veterans and their families in your community. HBI can provide guidance on what incentives are most impactful, but ultimately, it is up to the community to decide. 

Please include a description or map that identifies the proposed location of HBI Signs.

Communities are responsible for the costs of HBI Signs and determining their proposed locations. Once the application has been submitted and a determination has been made that the community has met all requirements, a warm handoff will be made to the DOT POC. The Community POC will work with a local DOT technician to ensure signs are displayed in accordance with regulations and safety.

The community must identify a time and location for a dedication ceremony and the HBI Event Advance Form completed and returned to HBI to be shared with the Office of the Governor. The community event can be a unique standalone event, combined with other events, or as a press conference as examples. The Designation Ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate the community’s accomplishment.