Mayor William E. Cooper, members of Enterprise City Council and city leaders Tuesday morning joined representatives from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs for a site visit to the CSM Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home which is currently under construction and projected to open Summer 2024.

Wearing safety vests, glasses and hardhats, the hour-long tour was led by Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) Commissioner Kent Davis and other members of ADVA staff, Project Superintendent Ed Rice of Rabren General Contractors, and Williams Blackstock Architects.

The 182,000 square foot facility is projected to house 174 residents. Featuring a modern-day farmhouse design, the six wings all lead back to the stone multi-story fireplace at the heart of the facility. A chapel, salon, meeting space and retail space will be centrally located in an effort to create a Main Street type atmosphere.

A typical wing will house about 30 residents, each with their own private room and ensuite bathroom.  Residents will be cared for by skilled nursing staff.  Applications are expected to open in the spring for both residents and job seekers. Once in full operation, the facility is expected to employ more than 200 people.

Enterprise was selected as the site of the new home’s location in January 2022, and is located on more than 100 acres along Highway 51, just north of Yancey Parker Industrial Park.

The home is named in honor of Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins, who was deployed to Vietnam three times.  He received the Medal of Honor in 2014 and is well-known in Alabama and the Wiregrass community for his bravery and heroism.