CLEVELAND, Tenn. — A site for a veterans nursing home in Southeast Tennessee likely will be approved next week, officials say.
The Tennessee State Veterans Home Board will meet in Cleveland next week. Members will look at all three local sites Wednesday before holding a business session Thursday, said Joe Davis, Bradley County veterans services officer. He is a member of the board, which oversees all Tennessee veterans nursing homes.
Local supporters began working nearly a decade ago to bring a veterans nursing home that would provide jobs and serve Southeast Tennessee.
Bradley County and Cleveland city governments have committed a total of $2.2 million and a private donor has promised $3 million toward the 35 percent local matching share. The rest will come from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Veterans home board members will tour the three proposed sites — on Westland Drive, Minnis Road and the former American Uniform property on Parker Street — at 11 a.m. Wednesday and will host a public reception at 5 p.m.
During the reception, Steve Williams, a property donor, will talk about how the Westland Drive site is shovel-ready.
Thursday’s agenda calls for a 9 a.m. executive committee meeting followed by the public business meeting at noon.
IF YOU GOWhat: Golf tournament fundraiser for Southeast Tennessee Veterans Nursing HomeWhen: April 10Where: Chatata Valley Golf Course, 4179 Benton Pike NE, Cleveland, Tenn.Information: Bradley County Veterans Affairs Office, 423-728-7100
“That is when they will vote on the site,” Mr. Davis said Thursday. “I will make that motion if no one else does.”
The County Commission recently included the veterans home on its annual priority list for federal funding.
“It’s just the right thing to do, to add this,” said County Commissioner Brian Smith.
The Southeast Tennessee Veterans Home Council, organized to bring a nursing home here, will sponsor a fundraising golf tournament April 10.
The council also is selling American flags that will be displayed on the courthouse lawn on special occasions to honor veterans. That money, too, goes to fund the nursing home.