WASHINGTON – To ensure state veterans homes in North Carolina remain comfortable, safe residences, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is awarding a grant of $2 million and approving a land transfer to the state facility in Salisbury.

"This grant and land transfer signify our strong and visible commitment to care for the men and women of North Carolina who served in uniform," Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake said in a press release.

The federal grant will pay for construction of a parking lot and a steam and chilled water utility plant at the Salisbury veterans home, which is located on the grounds of the W.G. "Bill" Hefner VA Medical Center on Brenner Avenue.

The grant covers up to 65 percent of the $3 million cost of the upgrade.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will also transfer approximately 2.4 acres to the state of North Carolina, upon which the new construction will be built.

The Salisbury facility, along with a state-run veterans home in Fayetteville, is open to veterans who received a military discharge rated "under honorable conditions." To be eligible, veterans must have been state residents for 24 months before applying.

This year, the Department of Veterans Affairs expects to spend $2.5 billion in North Carolina to serve the state's 774,000 veterans.

The department operates four major medical centers in the state, seven community-based outpatient clinics, four nursing homes and five Vet Centers.More information about North Carolina veterans homes is available by calling the N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs at 919-733-3851 or visiting the agency's Web site at www. ncveterans.net/nursinghomes.htm.

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