Photo information: Scotty Johnson, Mayor William Cooper Mayor William Cooper, right, announced Wednesday that the U.S. Veterans Administration issued a
$39 million grant to aid in the construction of the Enterprise-based veterans’ home. Pictured with Cooper is Councilman Scotty Johnson.
By Morgan Usry
The Enterprise Ledger
Apr 13, 2021
An Alabama Board of Veterans Affairs initiative to construct a veterans’ home received a $39 million
construction grant from the U.S. Veterans Administration, Enterprise Mayor William E. Cooper
announced Wednesday. The grant will cover 65 percent of the cost; the Alabama Department of Veterans
Affairs will cover the remaining 35 percent.
Cooper said one of the reasons Enterprise was chosen as the location of the home was its large veteran
population. There are more than 7,000 veterans in Coffee County and studies done during the selection
process show that the county, specifically Enterprise, will have a significant increase in its veteran population
in coming years.
“This project is going to be a plus for all of the veterans here in the Wiregrass, especially in Enterprise where
we have a lot of retired veterans,” Cooper said.
Councilman Scotty Johnson also attended the press conference and said the project will be a great opportunity
to help veterans in the area.
“To be selected for one of the homes for the state of Alabama is a great opportunity. Being a veteran, I’ve seen
a need for homes like this,” Johnson said.
Groundbreaking is planned for later this year with construction beginning in early 2022. The home is
projected to be opened in 2023. The facility will house around 175 residents and will provide jobs for more
than 200 people once in full operation. It will be located on 108 acres off of Highway 51.
The ADVA has been working with Williams Blackstock Architects in Birmingham on the design of the
building. This design will be presented at the ADVA’s next board meeting in Enterprise on July 9. The ADVA
will also reveal the name of the facility.
Nominations are currently being accepted for the name of the home until June 14. The name is intended to
reflect the home’s geographical location, a person who had a pivotal role in the project or an honored veteran.
The nomination form for submitting proposals is available on the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs
website at www.va.alabama.gov or by calling the ADVA at 1-334-242-5077.