Home Base Iowa sparking veterans to put their boots, and roots, in QC region

Lance Burton spent 20 years serving in the U.S. Army and living across the world. When it came time to choose a community in which he and his wife, Carol, would eventually retire, they realized there was one place they had always felt at home: the QC region.

Late last year, they moved from Maryland to Bettendorf, and in doing so, received an extra bonus through Home Base Iowa (HBI). The state program encourages and incentivizes veterans to put their boots, and roots, in Iowa.

Burton is the third veteran in six months to move to the QC and take advantage of the program administered through the Quad Cities Chamber in partnership with Scott County and Davenport. Eligible veterans can receive $1,500 in closing costs reimbursement from Scott County and Davenport depending on where they move from and move to, as well as up to $500 in interview expense reimbursement. A state tax credit also is available to veterans meeting specific criteria.

Burton already was familiar with the QC region. His wife was born and raised here, and for two years during his military career, he worked at the Rock Island Arsenal. After making the choice to make one last move, their realtor, Sally Kent with Ruhl & Ruhl, told them about HBI. Burton collected the needed paperwork and headed to the Chamber’s office. The team processed his paperwork in about five minutes and he was told to expect a letter in the mail.

“In just a little more than two weeks, I found a nice check waiting for us in the mailbox. It was an easy and pleasant experience,” he said.

Relocation incentives, like the $1,500 Burton received from Scott County, is just one form of HBI assistance. The Chamber team is actively promoting and encouraging veterans to embrace all of the transition and career services and perks. Jared Kleinkopf, the Chamber’s Talent and Inclusion Manager is a veteran himself and now leading the HBI program.

“Scott County and the City of Davenport realized how important it is to bring new talent into the region, and veterans are a great source of quality candidates for the workforce. They also are quality residents who contribute to our community,” he said. “This is a great program.”

In fact, the Chamber is seeking more QC cities to sign on as  HBI communities.

The Burton’s purchased a home on the far edge of Bettendorf. “We are close enough to a good-sized city and yet close enough to the country. We like to hike and bike, and there are a lot of opportunities for that here without having to give up other things, like taking in a show at the Adler Theatre or a riverfront baseball game at Modern Woodmen Park or any of the other amenities in Rock Island, Moline, East Moline and Davenport,” he said.

“It is a generous program and the generosity just indictive everything else we’ve experienced in the QC. We feel welcome everywhere we go and we’ve made friends with all of our neighbors, none of who we knew before we moved here,” Burton said.

While he did retire from the Army, Burton isn’t ready for full retirement yet. He continues to work as a defense contractor. His wife spent her career as an Army civilian worker and retired about a year ago.

“As a veteran, I appreciate the Arsenal is here and the amenities I can take advantage of, whether I need medical care at the VA in Bettendorf or Iowa City, it is easy to get to. Since my wife grew up here, I already had an ‘in’ on the culture of the region, and it’s been nice to be here. She’s rekindled relationships with old friends and it feels like we’ve come home.”