ST. PAUL – Legislation chief-authored by State Representative Greg Davids (R-Preston) would establish a new veterans home in southeastern Minnesota.
The proposal would dedicate $10 million to build the facility in Fillmore County. A state match is necessary when a veterans home is constructed, as federal contributions will only cover two-thirds of the costs.
"As the population of aging veterans grows, southeastern Minnesota has a need to provide them with assisted living care," Davids said. "This is an important investment to make for those who put their lives on the line for our personal freedoms."
Davids has requested a bill hearing for this proposal in the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee.
A bill Davids is sponsoring that would help fund construction of the Lanesboro Dam is also receiving consideration.
"This would secure funding for the portion Lanesboro would be required to pay for the project and finally make the needed improvements to this dam," Davids said.
Davids had previously helped secure funds for Lanesboro for this project, but the proposal became more expensive after the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) said the dam must be preserved in the original form.
After working with Lanesboro city officials, the Department of Natural Resources, and the SHPO, Davids' bill states that up to $2 million could be used for dam restoration from all sources.