Augusta moves up VA cemetery priority list; state design and match costs outlined

Commissioner Trish Ross told the joint veterans committee that, after a historic increase in National Cemetery Administration funding, Augusta rose to priority number 30 for a new VA cemetery — a position that makes federal construction funding achievable for the area.

Ross said both Milledgeville and Glenville state veteran cemeteries completed expansion grants and received recognition from the National Cemetery Administration for organizational excellence. She noted that Augusta has sought a veteran cemetery for roughly 25 years because parts of the area near Fort Gordon were not covered by existing cemeteries.

Federal and state funding
Ross said VA funding will provide at least $10,000,000 toward establishing the new cemetery and that the department has roughly $800,000 for design. She described approximately $1,000,000 that had been in the department’s budget for several years and that part of that money was used to remove debris from the Gracewood campus, where the cemetery entrance is proposed.

Next steps and community impact
Ross said the department is tracking VA deadlines and will use its appropriations briefings to pursue matching funds as needed; she asserted that an Augusta cemetery would likely become one of the busiest in the state given roughly 66,000 veterans in the Augusta area and proximity to Fort Gordon. Committee members from the affected area indicated local support and offered assistance finding match or bond financing if needed.