FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Andrew Wagner
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Andrew.Wagner@house.mn
News Release
HOUSE GOP APPLAUDS FEDERAL FUNDING FOR NEW VETERANS HOMES
ST. PAUL — On Tuesday, Governor Tim Walz announced that more than $80 million in federal funding has been conditionally approved for three veterans homes in Preston, Bemidji, and Montevideo. In 2018, House Republicans led legislative efforts to fund the three homes using excess funds in the Vikings Stadium Reserve, which was met by opposition from then-Governor Mark Dayton. The state funding was ultimately passed as part of a bonding bill during the 2018 session. State and local veterans organizations, as well as community officials also played a key role in raising money and promoting awareness for the projects over the last decade or more.
"I want to thank every veterans organization who has played a role in making these veterans homes a reality," said Rep. Bob Dettmer, R-Forest Lake, Republican Lead and former Chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. "These homes will be life-changing for Minnesota veterans who will receive excellent care closer to home. This was a true team effort to help the heroes who have sacrificed so much for all of us."
“These homes will serve those who served us, and I’d like to thank Congressman Hagedorn and our federal delegation for securing this needed funding, Governor Walz, Senator Miller, Fillmore County commissioners and city officials for their tireless efforts in support of this project, and most importantly, our veterans,” added Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, who previously chief authored proposals to fund the veterans homes.
“We have been working for more than a decade to bring a veterans home to Bemidji and it is satisfying to move ever-closer to seeing shovels in the ground,” said Rep. Matt Bliss, R-Pennington, a US Navy Veteran and author of legislation during the 2017-2018 biennium to fund the Bemidji home. “I can’t tell you how happy I am for veterans in our area who will be able to do their final tour of duty near their families. They have sacrificed so much for us and we owe it to them to provide the services they need. This has been a major community effort and I can’t thank people enough who have worked so hard to make this happen.”
Construction on the new homes could begin as early as fall of 2021.
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