Area legislators are proud of the Kentucky House of Representatives’ passing of House Bill Two, which provides additional funding for a veterans nursing home in Bowling Green.
Third District State Senator Whitney Westerfield tells the News Edge the bill provides over $16 million to continue supporting the construction of the facility.
Fifth District State Representative Mary Beth Imes says the funding will be given to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
WKU Public Radio reports the bill would re-appropriate the $16.6 million from the commonwealth’s Budget Reserve Trust Fund to address the cost overruns.
The General Assembly previously approved a $30 million cost share with the Department of Veterans Affairs to build the facility, with the federal government providing $20 million and the state government covering the other $10 million.
Construction on the center broke ground last year and fills the need for long-term veteran care facility on this side of the state. Currently, veterans requiring a nursing home stay must travel to Radcliff, Hazard, Hanson, or Wilmore.
House Bill Two now heads to the Kentucky Senate for approval.
