Green Light Given For New State Veterans Home

PELL CITY, Ala. (AP) The state Department of Veterans Affairs has been given the go-ahead to build a new veterans home facility in Pell City.

The Alabama State Health Planning and Development Agency announced that a Certificate of Need was issued Thursday to construct a new 254 bed facility. The facility will have a 174 skilled nursing beds and 80 assisted living beds. The project is estimated to cost $62.4 million.

Clair County Commission Chairman Stan Batemon said the home will provide about 300 jobs, including staff and delivery personnel, with an estimated payroll of $15 million.

Construction could begin early next year and the department hopes to have the project out for bid by January 2010. Officials estimate the construction will take 18-24 months to complete.

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Information from: The Daily Home - Talladega, http://www.dailyhome.com