The Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs (SBVA) announced Friday via press release plans to build Alabama’s fifth veterans home facility in Enterprise.

According to the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs’ website, veterans’ home facilities are “needed for aging or chronically disabled veterans.” The homes are a partnership between both the state and federal governments, as well as private industry.

“We are excited about this project, as this location will give access to many underserved veterans,” said Chad Richmond, SBVA vice-chairman.

The other four facilities of the same type that are already operating in Alabama are located in Alexander City, Huntsville, Bay Minnette, and Pell City.

A consulting group’s study commissioned by the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) calculated that there were 704 beds between Alabama’s four currently operating veterans homes. The same study projected Alabama will need 1,440 beds by the year 2045.

Additionally, the study identified the Wiregrass Region, which takes up the Southeast corner of Alabama as an “underserved area for providing skilled-care exclusively for veterans.”

According to the ADVA release, “The location consists of a donation of 108 acres between US Hwy 84 and AL Hwy 167.”

The project is targeting a 2023 completion window. The consulting firm that provided the info for the site selection recommended the new facility provide 150-175 new skilled-care beds.

“I’m confident that our selection of Enterprise will provide the setting and care our veterans deserve,” added Richmond.

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: henry@new-yhn.local or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.