VA Distributes $1 Billion for Medical Facility Upgrades, Energy Projects, and Cemetery Improvements

On Friday, October 15, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the agency used more than $1 billion in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Funds were used to replace as well as update current VA medical facilities, improve national cemeteries, and award grants for veterans homes.

Major improvements include upgrading 14,000 inpatient bed spaces, adding more than 26,000 parking spaces at VA medical facilities, and undertaking 16 renovation projects at VA pharmacies. Ninety million dollars is earmarked for renewable energy studies and $400 million is set aside for energy projects.

"These upgrades are possible through Recovery Act funds that are not only revitalizing VA's extensive infrastructure, but also moving needed money into the economy," said VA Secretary Eric Shinseki.

Other VA investments include $197 million in infrastructure development, building a wind turbine in Massachussetts, and developing co-generation systems that are renewably fueled at five VA medical facilities in Vermont, Ohio, California, Maine, and New York.

For more information about the VA's use of Recovery Act funds, refer to the Department of Veterans' Affairs Press Release: VA Tops $1B mark in Recovery Act Distributions.

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