The Preston Veterans Home will be a skilled nursing care facility with up to 72-beds (depending on the amount of donations) and will be the first and only in Southeastern Minnesota. The cost of the facility will be $30+ million.
The independent demand study shows if built today, 224 veterans would reside in the veterans home if one was built, by 2040 that need will continue and is projected to be a need for 111 veterans beds.
While the hope is to build a 72-bed home, the local donations made by August 24, 2018, will dictate the size and amenities of the facility. Donations made by this date will be matched 2:1 by the Federal Veterans Administration. Donations pledged and received after August 24, 2018, will still receive the Federal 2:1 match if received by March 1, 2019, but will not be considered for the overall size, therefore why it is important to donate today.
42,323 Veterans live within the 15 county catchment area of the veterans home. Our veterans earned the right, through service to our county, to be cared for at the future veterans home.
The money raised from the community will be used for the construction of the new regional veterans home. In order to receive a 2:1 federal match and build to the needs to the catchment area we are raising additional funds. The fundraising drive is above the local city and county commitment. The Preston Area Community Foundation, is accepting your pledge and donation now through August 24, 2018. Pledges are due and payable by March 1, 2019.
Donations should be directed to: Chuck Aug, at the Preston Area Community Foundation, (507) 765-3823, ChuckA@fmcommunity.com, 100 St Anthony St N, Preston, Minn. 55965.
Regional overview of the future Preston, Minn., veterans home, located in Fillmore County:
Smart economic investment
• Capture $20.6 million in federal funding for $10.2 million State investment, and the local contribution
• One time regional construction impact of $38.3 M
• Regional annual economic output of $11.1M, includes operations and support
• Drives additional visitor traffic to local tourism and commercial ventures
Demonstrated need
• 72-bed home projected to be full through 2040 (23 years) and beyond
• 1,000 veterans on the active waiting list
• 1,898 veterans currently on waiting list for access to VA Home
Available housing
• Area workforce housing includes single family home sites and townhome lots for new construction, and affordable existing homes within the region
Jobs creation to retain the
Fillmore County workforce
• 172 new healthcare and supporting jobs would be created within the region, 140 FTE
• There is a current workforce of nearly 1,100 skilled care workers in the county that must commute out of the county to work each day
Local contributions to date: $1,061,000
• Site value land cost for the City of Preston is $210,000
• City of Preston (committed cash) – $125,000
• Preston Public Utilities (committed cash) – $235,000
• Preston Area Community Foundation (committed cash) – $100,000
• County donation – $350,000 (on-going County campaigns)
• Servicemen’s Clubs – $6,000
• Individual Donors (committed cash) – $10,000 (on-going campaign thru March 2019)
• Individual Donors (committed in-kind services) – $10,000
• Project expenses incurred to date – $15,000+
Most veterans left their communities behind to serve their country. Having veteran homes in Greater Minnesota ensures our veterans don’t again need to leave their communities to get the care they deserve.
Stay up to date on the progress of the Veterans Home at www.minnesotaveteran.org/FutureHomes, or enjoy the regional fundraising drive posts and progress at Local outreach through Facebook, Preston is a Veterans Friendly Community, see more at: Preston MN Chamber Veterans Friendly Community.
Other facts
• Nearest existing MDVA home is 135 miles away
• 550+ person waiting list
• 9-month wait time for veterans; 2-to-3 year wait for spouses
• Median 10-month wait time statewide
• Fillmore County has 42,000 veterans, and serves 24,734 veterans ages 65 and older (based on 2014 veteran’s population census within 70 miles)
• 30% of state veterans 65 years and older within 70 miles
• 33% of state veterans 65 years and older within 90 miles
• $3.85+ million in existing and new contributions of land, infrastructure and funding from Fillmore County.