PIERRE, S.D.  The State of South Dakota has been notified that federal grant funding will be made available to build a new state veterans’ home in Hot Springs.  South Dakota’s application was selected for approval from a long list of projects submitted to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
 
“South Dakota remains committed to providing high-quality care for our veterans.”  Gov. Dennis Daugaard said.  “A new veterans’ home in Hot Springs is an important part of making sure we continue to provide great care to South Dakota’s heroes for generations to come. Federal grant funding allows the state to keep moving forward with this important project.”
 
South Dakota’s proposal calls for the construction of a new 100-bed facility in Hot Springs at an estimated total cost of about $34.6 million.  Federal grant funding would pay for 65 percent of the project for a total of $22.5 million.  The state would be responsible for 35 percent of the funding, or $12.5 million.
 
“Getting this grant is a big win for South Dakota.”  Gov. Daugaard added.  “With the federal budget crisis, there was no guarantee that our project would be funded. South Dakota’s hard working employees at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs did a great job ensuring that the state submitted an application that really stood out from the rest.”
 
Funding for the state veterans’ home will be available until the end of the 2012 federal fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2012.  South Dakota must complete the final steps of the grant application process by June 15 in order to receive funding during this fiscal year.  The grant will become final after the state receives approval from the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs.