ColumbiaMagazine.com
Printed from:

Welcome to Columbia Magazine  
 



































 
Gov. Beshear breaks ground on Bowling Green Veterans Center

From Crystal Staley/Scottie Ellis

Bowling Green, KY - On Wednesday, November 2, 2022, Gov. Andy Beshear joined federal, state and local leaders to break ground on the Bowling Green Veterans Center, which will provide compassionate care for Kentucky's veterans.

The $50 million investment will create 120 new jobs and will be the state's fifth long-term skilled nursing care facility. The 80,000-square-foot facility will provide 60 beds and is being built on 25 acres of land donated by the Inter-Modal Transportation Authority at the Kentucky Transpark in Warren County.

The Governor said efforts have been underway for more than ten years to locate a state veterans' home in Bowling Green.


"Our veterans are heroes to all Kentuckians, and I could not be more excited to get this project underway," said Gov. Beshear. "I believe that access to high-quality health care is a basic human right. But when we're talking about our veterans, it is so much more than that. Providing the best possible care for the people who fight on the front lines of war, save lives in times of natural disasters and throughout the pandemic and defend our way of life is nothing short of a sacred duty."

This new center will provide compassionate care for Kentucky's veterans through state-of-the-art equipment, physical therapy and recreational activities. The single-story, 60-bed skilled nursing facility was designed utilizing the VA's small house design, which provides a private suite for each veteran and will include common living and support areas totaling approximately 80,000 square feet.

"The Commonwealth of Kentucky has a rich history of supporting the men and women in the Armed Forces," said Senator Rand Paul. "We owe it to those who have served in combat to provide them with quality care sustained in defense of this nation and provide the necessary support tools as they adjust back to civilian life. I'm proud to join everyone in attendance today as we celebrate the groundbreaking of the Bowling Green Veterans Center."

"Being a veteran myself, finally witnessing the groundbreaking of this veterans home in Bowling Green is a dream come true," said Senate Majority Whip Mike Wilson of Bowling Green. "Since this project's inception, seeing all of the hard work come to fruition, along with helping veterans and knowing that it will give them a local place close to their families to spend their later years, is truly rewarding and very fulfilling."

"This groundbreaking is symbolic of our commitment to recognizing the sacrifices of the men and women who have served our nation. I am thrilled to see the nursing home one step closer to becoming a reality, and it is particularly meaningful that we're breaking ground less than a week before Veterans Day," said Rep. Michael Meredith of Oakland. "While the project itself has faced several challenges, I'm grateful that leadership at the local, state and federal level worked together to overcome the odds to deliver for the veterans of South Central Kentucky."

"The Department of Veterans Affairs is committed to serving our nation's veterans, and this facility will enhance our capabilities to fulfill that mission," said Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA) Commissioner Whitney Allen. "The men and women of our armed services have given so much to our country, and through this facility we will continue to serve them, right here in South Central Kentucky for years to come."

"At the Office of Kentucky Veterans Centers, we consider it an honor and a privilege to care for America's heroes who call Kentucky their home," said Executive Director Mark Bowman. "Each and every day, our committed staff go above and beyond to provide the highest level of care and services for our veterans. We look forward to the opportunity to serve veterans of Bowling Green and South Central Kentucky."

"For over 25 years, I've worked with local veterans and elected officials to bring this badly needed veterans center to our region. It is a mission that has eluded us for many years and sometimes seemed impossible. This facility will finally serve our veterans, to whom we owe so much more, and I am so thankful to those who finally have closed the deal and are bringing it to fruition," said Warren County Judge/Executive Mike Buchanon. "To be participating in this groundbreaking with KDVA today on this facility brings me great joy and anticipation, and I can't wait to see the doors officially open."

"I am grateful to our veterans and elected leaders with the vision to advocate for a veterans nursing home here in Bowling Green, Kentucky," said Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott. "Colonel and Mrs. Spiller are not here to see this vision come to fruition; however, their legacy continues. It's humbling to live in a community that serves our nation's heroes in this way."

"Throughout my tenure serving on the executive board of the Inter-Modal Transportation Authority, we have fought long and hard to make this project a reality for our region's veterans. Participating in this groundbreaking today is a long-awaited dream come true," said Brian Mefford, ITA Board Chairman.

"As a veteran myself, this project is near and dear to my heart. Being able to be a small part of bringing services to those who have sacrificed so much for our country is an honor. I am grateful to city and county leadership, as well as the ITA board, for generously donating the land to make this project possible," said Ron Bunch, President and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.

"When you have identified and justified the need for something as important as the veterans nursing home, you learn to never quit or back off, just change direction and keep your eye on the prize. Never be satisfied or dissatisfied, simply be unsatisfied until you reach your goal," said Ray Biggerstaff, with the Cumberland Trace Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.


This story was posted on 2022-11-02 13:16:20
Printable: this page is now automatically formatted for printing.
Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know.



 

































 
 
Quick Links to Popular Features


Looking for a story or picture?
Try our Photo Archive or our Stories Archive for all the information that's appeared on ColumbiaMagazine.com.

 

Contact us: Columbia Magazine and columbiamagazine.com are published by Linda Waggener and Pen Waggener, PO Box 906, Columbia, KY 42728.
Phone: 270.403.0017


Please use our contact page, or send questions about technical issues with this site to webmaster@columbiamagazine.com. All logos and trademarks used on this site are property of their respective owners. All comments remain the property and responsibility of their posters, all articles and photos remain the property of their creators, and all the rest is copyright 1995-Present by Columbia Magazine. Privacy policy: use of this site requires no sharing of information. Voluntarily shared information may be published and made available to the public on this site and/or stored electronically. Anonymous submissions will be subject to additional verification. Cookies are not required to use our site. However, if you have cookies enabled in your web browser, some of our advertisers may use cookies for interest-based advertising across multiple domains. For more information about third-party advertising, visit the NAI web privacy site.