Breaking ground. When farmers talk about breaking ground, they focus on creating plans for growth, moving soil, planting seeds, establishing an optimal environment and reaping the benefits of their commitment and hard work.

You could say the same is true for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) as it breaks ground on three new Veterans Homes located throughout the state of Minnesota.

Diverse groups of residents, elected officials, local business and civic leaders, donors and Veterans Service Organization representatives have spent more than a decade advocating and fundraising for building a Veterans Home in their community. Now they are enjoying the benefits of that dedicated focus.

On Monday, Aug. 9, the city of Preston--located approximately 40 miles southeast of Rochester, MN—hosted its groundbreaking ceremony. (Two other communities—Montevideo in the western part of the state and Bemidji in northern Minnesota—are hosting groundbreakings on Aug. 23 and Aug. 26, respectively).

More than 250 guests gathered under sunny skies and a big tent to celebrate the official construction kick-off of this 54-unit skilled nursing facility near Highway 16 and Golfview Drive. The campus, which is located on a 15-acre bluff, is scheduled to open in mid-2023. Preston is the only city in Minnesota to be home to both a Veterans Home and a Veterans Cemetery.

All of the new Homes locations will be designed to reflect the natural elements of their communities. Numerous windows throughout the facility will bring in natural light and offer a variety of welcoming exterior views, including a well-appointed, fenced-in courtyard. Residents will also enjoy private units with private baths, small Resident “households” to create a connected, community feeling, and a Town Center featuring a coffee shop/café, theatre/meeting room, dining room, meditation room/chapel and club room. The ultimate goal is to offer Veterans a living space that feels like home.

Among the Preston groundbreaking ceremony guests who shared their own personal experiences on the journey to making the dream of building a Veterans Home a reality were Gov. Tim Walz, US Rep. Jim Hagedorn, State Sen. Jeremy Miller and State Rep. Greg Davids.

Gov. Walz discussed the importance of being able to provide long-term care facilities to serve Minnesota’s Veterans living in all areas of our state. He also shared Minnesota’s expansive history of supporting more than 312,000 Veterans, especially as they age, and the impact of their service may cause health problems.

Congressman Hagedorn, State Sen. Miller and State Rep. Davids all agreed that Veterans issues have historically united individuals from all walks of life and all points on the political spectrum.

“When we build a facility, we are not only a service provider to Veterans and an employer to local residents, but we are also an active and caring member of the community,” said MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke. “We look forward to enhancing the Preston area (and Montevideo and Bemidji as well) with our presence.”

For Admissions inquiries, email NewHomesAdmissions@state.mn.us.
For Employment inquiries, email NewHomesJobs@state.mn.us.
For more general information, visit the MDVA website at MinnesotaVeteran.org/FutureHomes.