Design, Engineering Work On Beckley Veterans Facility Set To Begin

Work on a veterans nursing home in Beckley is set to begin, the second one in the state.

Initial funding for the 120-bed facility was awarded in 2021, with more money from the state’s general budget going towards the project last year. The initial investment included $30 million from the state and $15 million in federal funding.

The home is set to be built on a 12 acre plot of land next to the Jackie Withrow Hospital.

Gov. Jim Justice announced during his regular briefing Thursday that design and engineering work would begin on the project.

“We should be proud, proud, proud of who we are as West Virginians to the contribution that all of us have made and all the great folks in the military have made to make this nation what it is today,” Justice said.

Of the beds available, 20 will go towards nursing veterans with Alzheimer’s or dementia. It’s also planned to include private rooms, community spaces, fully accessible kitchens and a central common area, as well as recreational and health care services.

“My staff and I have worked tirelessly on making this facility a reality,” Department of Veterans Assistance Cabinet Secretary Edward Diaz said in a statement. “We understand that this architectural and engineering agreement is only one step toward construction of the new nursing facility, but it is a huge, critically important step.” 

There is currently one other veterans nursing facility in the state, located in Clarksburg.