About 50 people gathered near the Guthrie County Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the Guthrie County Courthouse in Guthrie Center on Friday to commemorate a special designation. Guthrie County officially became the 84th Home Base Iowa (HBI) Community during a ceremony featuring State and local dignitaries.  

Governor Kim Reynolds began the ceremony by thanking local representatives and expressing her own gratitude for this program. “Today is really a recognition of the culmination of your hard work (and) the collaboration that went into earning a Home Base Iowa designation. It’s hard to believe that just over four years ago we launched Home Base Iowa to really attract and retain our retiring veterans to our state. Today, Home Base Iowa is bringing veterans to Iowa and we are considered one of the most veteran friendly states in America.”

Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg also voiced his support for the program. “One of the biggest problems we have in our state is that we’ve got more jobs than we have people to fill them. Veterans can help us solve that big problem. These are folks who are well trained, who are disciplined, who are reliable individuals. As a Home Base Iowa community, what you’ve done now is you’ve bumped yourself up on the radar for veterans to consider as a place to live and to have a great quality of life. I think that’s a smart, strategic move for your community, but it’s also the right thing to do.”

Command Sergeant Major Curtis McLellan closed the ceremony by talking about the impact this designation will have on the County and its veterans. “Having been around Guthrie County for over 30 years now…I know how well the County supports its veterans and that strong relationship we have. It makes Guthrie County…a great place for them to become a member.”

Adair and Audubon counties were also honored as HBI communities on Friday.