ENTERPRISE, Ala. (WDHN) — After five years, construction on the Command Sgt. Bennie G. Adkins Veterans home in Enterprise is now complete and is less than two months away from opening.
This veterans home will mark the fifth one in the state of Alabama. The Department of Veterans Affairs says according to a feasibility study, it was well needed in this area considering most of the homes had a long waiting list to get in, possibly one of the biggest ones in the country, and it fits well in a community with a strong support for veterans.
“Our mission is to provide long-term care for veterans this is a big milestone hopefully this will cut that time down,” Commissioner Kent Davis said.
The 182,000-square-foot skilled nursing facility will have 174 residents and the facility will be equipped with private rooms, amenities like a sports bar, library, chapel, and a fleet of buses that will take these vets into the city.
Davis said they are doing the finishing touches as they are in the home stretch.
“Right now they are furnishing and equipping the facility and the hiring process has started we gave a tentative offer to a director and once the director is hired we will look at staffing,” He said.
Not only is the facility a plus for veterans but the city as well it will bring in 200 jobs.
“It is a huge investment but when you think about the return it’s going to take care of vets for a very long time,” He added.
After the staff is hired, that’s when they will open the application process for residents in phases until they reach 174 residents.
“Some of our residents are in other homes in other parts of the state and they may want to get home to be closer to family we will give transfers the first opportunity,” He said.
Davis said he wants to thank the federal, state, and local governments for their participation in this huge project that will be an asset for the entire state of Alabama starting September 13th.
