[ST. PAUL, MN] - Governor Tim Walz today announced that the newly-opened Bemidji Veterans Home admitted its first resident – a Minnesota veteran who signed up for the Air Force when he was 19 years old and served for more than two decades. The Bemidji Veterans Home marks the third opening of three new homes across the state in the last six weeks. Preston and Montevideo also saw the opening of new homes in their communities.

“We are excited to announce the opening of Minnesota’s newest veterans home in Bemidji. This opening highlights the work being done to continue the expansion of services and increase the quality of life for our veterans,” said Governor Walz . “Providing our highest support for those who have sacrificed for our state and country is a priority and the opening of this facility represents another step in ensuring our veterans have a safe and stable place to call home.”

“MDVA is honored to open this third of three new veterans homes across the state in the last six weeks,” said MDVA Commissioner Brad Lindsay. “As our 294,000 Minnesota veterans age, it is more important than ever that we can care for them in their final years.”

Resort owner, dancer, karaoke singer and world-traveler Jim Larson – who retired from the military in 1974 – turns 90 in May. He is the very first Resident admitted to the Bemidji Veterans Home. Larson had worked on farms before he volunteered for service in the 1950s.

Larson expressed excitement for his move. “No one likes to leave their home,” Larson said. “But there are times when you have to move forward. I feel like I’m one of the luckiest people alive. I’ve visited a lot of people in nursing homes. This place is more like home. The people here treat you like family.”

The home came to fruition after more than a decade of local advocacy and planning and two years of construction.

During the next few weeks, the home will continue to admit new residents, up to a total of 24. The home must then successfully complete a recognition survey from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (Federal VA). The survey is expected to take place later this spring.

Once that federal VA survey is completed, the home will continue to admit additional residents and hire the remaining staff required to care for a full facility. The home will also be pursuing its certification with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the first year of operation. Minnesota Veterans Homes are surveyed by both the Minnesota Department of Health on behalf of CMS and the federal VA. Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) leaders look forward to achieving certification from these regulatory agencies.

While the Bemidji Veterans Home has hired most staff needed for the first month of operation, additional employees will be needed as more residents are admitted. To learn about employment opportunities, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/Careers .

Groundbreaking for the Bemidji Veterans Home took place in August 2021 for the 72-bed skilled nursing facility located at 920 Anne Street N.W .

To be accepted for admission, residents must be:

• Discharged under honorable conditions from any branch of the U.S. armed forces and a current resident of Minnesota, who served 181 consecutive days on active duty, unless discharged earlier because of disability incurred in the line of duty.
• The spouse of an eligible veteran who is at least 55 years old and meets residency requirements.
• Able to demonstrate a medical or clinical need for skilled nursing care.

For more information, visit the MDVA website at MinnesotaVeteran.org/Homes .