On Thursday, an official Senate resolution urging the federal government to fund its share of the proposed veterans homes in Bemidji, Montevideo, and Preston. The resolution, co-authored by Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia), passed the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee with unanimous support.

“Last year, the Minnesota Legislature provided the state’s share of funding for these three veterans homes. Securing federal funding is the last piece needed to get these veterans homes built,” Senator Lang said. “The communities of Montevideo, Bemidji, and Preston have been working for over a decade to get these veterans homes across the finish line. We have an obligation to these communities – and more importantly, to our veterans – to get this done.”

Currently in the design phase, the planned 72-bed facility in planned in Montevideo is expected to cost $48.5 million and open in 2021. The Minnesota Legislature provided $9.4 million for the Montevideo facility, with similar amounts provided to Bemidji and Preston. The state’s allocation and community-provided funds represent 35 percent of total construction costs. If approved for construction through the federal Veterans Affairs Construction Grant Priority List, the federal government would provide up to $31.5 million – an amount that would cover all remaining construction costs. An application for the federal grant will be submitted in April.

If passed and signed into law, the proposed resolution, Senate File 54, would be sent to President Trump, Minnesota’s congressional delegation, and congressional veterans committees urging them to provide funding.

Senator Lang continued: “The community’s support has been nothing short of remarkable and is making all the difference. I urge supporters of the veterans homes to reach out to our federal representatives and ask them to deliver on final funding. Let’s start building these veterans homes.”

Senator Andrew Lang, of Olivia, represents District 17, which includes communities in Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, and Swift counties.