BEMIDJI – State Rep. Matt Bliss, R-Pennington, said now is the time for anyone wishing to donate funds or services to the construction of a new veterans home in Bemidji to make their pledge.
Bliss helped deliver $12.5 million in state bonding for the facility. Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota donated 15 acres of land. County boards are making pledges and federal funding also is in the works. Now, Bliss said, opportunities for local residents and businesses to contribute also are available, making the estimated $43.7 million project a truly shared effort.
“The state funding we obtained last spring is a key factor, but we’ll need help from a number of other sources to get this facility up and running,” Bliss said. “I have been encouraged by the generous support that’s already been shown for this sorely needed home. There is no doubt people in our area will continue stepping up to chip in any way they can, whether it’s donating money to the construction fund or by providing professional services. The important thing is for people to come forward now so their contributions can be worked into the planning and budgeting process.”
Written offers to donate funds and/or in-kind services may be submitted through Sept. 28 by emailing Beltrami County Administrator Kay Mack at kay.mack@co.beltrami.mn.us.
-30-