GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer attended the grand opening of a new veterans home Thursday afternoon in Grand Rapids.
The new, 128-bed facility will provide "state-of-the-art skilled nursing care to long-term residents."
Watch the event here:
"This new home is the result of a years-long, bipartisan effort to uphold our commitment to our veterans and their families in Michigan," Whitmer said. "The new Grand Rapids home was designed to provide comfort and well-deserved piece of mind for the men and women who put their lives on the line for all of us. It will give 128 veterans a place to call home and further our ongoing efforts to modernize state-run veterans homes and provide state-of-the-art nursing care to those who served. I look forward to working with the legislature, veterans' organizations and our national partners to use the massive influx of federal resources we have to move dirt on more projects like today's as soon as possible."
The ribbon-cutting ceremony included remarks by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Anne Zerbe, executive director of MVH, Dave Henry, chairman of the board for the MVFA and Robert Troost, a veteran and resident member at the Home. In addition to the remarks being offered, the program also included posting of the colors led by the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids Member Color Guard and music by the Belmont Armory 126th Army Band.
"The state has been serving veterans right here on this campus since the conclusion of the Civil War," said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. "As we embark on this new chapter, we can confidently say that our legacy of serving those who have served will continue for many years to come."
At a total project cost of $62.9 million, with $40.9 million provided through a federal grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Construction Grant Program, construction of the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids began in April 2019 and occupies 20 acres and totals 152,784 square feet.
It consists of four unique neighborhood buildings and a community center.
The adjacent community center includes therapeutic facilities for behavioral, occupational, physical and group therapy, an exam room, chapel, barbershop and salon, cafe bistro and gift shop.
