Federal funding for North Alabama’s long-awaited state veterans cemetery has grown to nearly $19 million, with another $5.4 million awarded as the project prepares to break ground next month.
The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs announced the additional funding for the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery-North Alabama, which will be built on 150 acres near Maysville, east of Huntsville.
The latest award brings federal funding to $18,094,445 for development of the cemetery, along with a separate $875,706 for an additional section of pre-placed burial vaults.
The funding builds on a $13.5 million federal grant awarded earlier this year following an effort spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, who has worked extensively with state and federal officials to advance the North Alabama cemetery project.
“This investment continues to show both Alabama and our nation’s commitment to honoring the sacrifices of those who valiantly served the United States in uniform,” Strong (R-Huntsville) said. “I applaud the state and federal partnership that made this grant award possible, and I am proud to support this effort in memory of North Alabama veterans who answered the call to defend our nation.”
Strong said the project will also give veterans’ families a cemetery closer to home.
“Not only will this historic project give our veterans a dignified resting place, but it will allow their families to pay respects and visit their loved ones close to home right here in the Tennessee Valley,” he said.
ADVA Commissioner Jeff Newton called the additional $5.4 million a “tremendous investment” in the project.
“We’ve heard this could be the largest grant ever awarded for a state veterans cemetery, which would make an already historic project even more significant,” Newton said. “We are excited to break ground next month and continue building a lasting tribute to the veterans of North Alabama.”
The cemetery is expected to eventually provide approximately 150,000 burial sites over a projected 200-year lifespan.
The project addresses a longstanding gap in veterans burial services in North Alabama. More than 42,700 veterans in the region live outside the 75-mile service radius of an existing state or national veterans cemetery, according to information released when the initial grant was announced.
Plans call for traditional graves and ground crypts, along with columbarium niches, a scatter garden, committal facilities and administrative space.
Huntsville-based Consolidated Construction Company submitted the lowest bid for the project, according to ADVA. Construction is expected to take approximately 16 to 18 months following groundbreaking.
Got a tip for OTR? Send your tip to [email protected] with related photo/video, your name, phone number, and e-mail address.
