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Vets organization highlights Marquette project

MARQUETTE — The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has included securing funding for a new facility to replace the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans on the organization’s list of major 2022 accomplishments.

In a Tuesday press release, the statewide veterans’ organization released a list that highlighted the 2022 accomplishments that supports military service members, veterans and the families that support them.

Among the items on the list was $97.6 million of funding that was appropriated to construct a new state veterans’ home in the Marquette area. When the new home is built, it will provide care for more than 100 veterans and will provide each resident with their own bathroom and bedroom, as well as a common gathering area and kitchen spaces while connecting to a community center that has clinic and therapy services. Other amenities include a barber shop, salon and a space for meetings.

The $97.6 million is comprised of $63.6 million of federal cash, with $34.2 million of state money making up the rest.

“The support provided by Governor (Gretchen) Whitmer and Michigan’s Legislature is critical to modernizing our operations in the Upper Peninsula,” said Anne Zerbe, executive director of Michigan Veteran Homes. “When built, this new home will deliver extraordinary skilled nursing care in a modern, home-like setting to our U.P. veterans.”

The design of the new center is similar to others built in Grand Rapids and Chesterfield Township.

Several other statewide accomplishments were noted as well.

“The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is guided by one fundamental promise: that those who are serving or have honorably served our state and nation are ‘members for life’,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, director and adjutant general of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in a press release. “I could not be prouder of what we have accomplished this year, including our support of Gov. Whitmer’s priority to help our members and veterans thrive, the advancement of our military’s readiness and the exceptional service provided to Michigan’s more than 550,000 veterans and their families.”

Other accomplishments include more than $1 million invested in veteran suicide prevention programs as well as an increase in support for veterans through the Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center, which assists veterans in submitting claims for VA benefits.

More than $6.5 million in funding was allocated for the Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance Program, which provides more than $14,000 for tuition at in-state institutions.

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