VLCNC-CARES THANKS SUPPORTERS WHO HELPED WIN APPROVAL OF GRANT TO BUILD VETERANS LIFE CENTER
RALIEGH, NC, M- May 28, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — John Turner, Executive Director of the Veterans today expressed the gratitude of the organization for the many North Carolina leaders whohelped sustain the effort to make the grant a reality.
“Many people helped bring about this critical last step in securing funding to significantly expand the State infrastructure and services for Veterans who arecoping with homelessness, substance abuse, unemployment, PTSD and other challenges,“ Turner said.
“Governor McCrory supported our cause from his very first day in office,” Turner added. “Other state leaders, from both parties, also played significant roles in the successful grant application. McCrory spoke at a VLCNC-CARES fundraiser as hism first public event after taking the oath of office as Governor.
“No one did more to advance this project than Senator Richard Burr, who provided vital coordination between the Federal Government and the State of North Carolina, led in-state efforts to build support for the Veterans Life Center, and went out of his way to include a strong statement of support for projects of this type in his national radio address on February 8, 2014,” Turner added. “VLCNC-CARES and all North Carolina veterans owe a deep debt of gratitude to Senator Burr for his steadfast support of homeless and at-risk veterans.”
“I also want to thank Mayor Tom Lane of Butner and the Butner Town Council,” Turner said. He also singled out House Speaker Thom Tillis, Senate Leader Phil Berger, Representatives Marilyn Avila and W. A. (Winkie) Wilkins, and Senators Ellie Kinnaird and Neal Hunt for their efforts. The NC Council of State also played a significant role by leasing a campus of eight buildings at the John Umstead Hospital Center to VLCNC-CARES. These buildings will house the Veterans Life Center.
“In addition, our VLCNC Advisory Committee, including former Governors Jim Hunt and Jim Martin, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Burley Mitchell, former U.S. Representative Sue Myrick and former State Representative Carolyn Justice were indispensable to the success of the effort,” Turner said.
On Monday, Memorial Day, McCrory announced the approval of the $4.2 million HUD Community Development Block Grant to fund the construction of the Veterans Life Center in Butner, NC. When fully completed, the Veterans Life Center will provide housing, care and services for up to 400 homeless and at-risk Veterans. VLCNC-CARES will administer the Veterans Life Center.
