Minneapolis, Silver Bay vets' homes get $5.2 million

by Elizabeth Baier, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded the state two grants totaling $5.2 million for improvements at state-run veterans' homes in Minneapolis and Silver Bay.

The grants will pay up to 65 percent of the cost for improvements at the two facilities.

The Silver Bay veterans' home will receive $3.9 million and the Minneapolis facility will get $1.3 million.

Construction at both sites is scheduled to be completed within 180 days.

In 2008, the VA spent about $1.5 billion in Minnesota. The department operates major medical centers in Minneapolis and St. Cloud, eight outpatient clinics, Veteran centers in Duluth and St. Paul, and the Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.