New Funding Strengthens Fergus Falls Veterans Home for Minnesota Veterans

Minnesota State Sen. Jordan Rasmusson announced that the Fergus Falls Veterans Home will receive $1.6 million in funding for vital preservation projects. The investment is part of a bipartisan $700 million bonding package that lawmakers approved during the 2025 legislative session.

The funding was highlighted on Sept. 25, when members of the House Capital Investment Committee toured the Fergus Falls facility to review both current work and future needs.

Targeted Investments in Veterans’ Care

The Fergus Falls Veterans Home funding includes several high-priority upgrades. Among the improvements:

• Elevators: $553,000 to install new elevators, boosting safety and accessibility.
• Living Spaces: $861,000 for drywall and ceiling replacements to modernize resident rooms and common areas.
• Food Service: Roughly $200,000 for commercial kitchen updates, ensuring better meal service for residents.

“These projects are essential to maintaining a safe, welcoming environment,” Rasmusson said. “I am grateful we secured this funding so our veterans can live in a facility that reflects the respect they deserve.”

Addressing Ongoing Needs

While celebrating the funding, Rasmusson acknowledged that more work remains. One of the facility’s immediate needs is replacing outdated interior doors, a project not covered in this year’s allocation.

“There is still more to do,” he noted. “I look forward to working with local leaders to make sure the Fergus Falls Veterans Home has the resources it needs. Our veterans deserve facilities that honor the service and sacrifices they have made for our country.”

Part of a Broader Bonding Package

The Fergus Falls funding comes from a larger $700 million bonding bill authored by Rasmusson and approved in June. The legislation focused heavily on asset preservation across Minnesota while avoiding partisan or controversial projects.

“This bill is about real needs, not pork,” Rasmusson said at the time. “We prioritized roads, bridges, clean water, and public safety — things every Minnesotan depends on.”

The package included:

• $291 million for roads, bridges, and wastewater upgrades
• $42 million for the Local Road Improvement Program
• $20 million for the Local Bridge Replacement Program, plus $11 million for major bridges
• $5 million for township road projects
• $43.5 million each for clean water and drinking water grants
• $6 million for drinking-water contamination mitigation

Governor Tim Walz has since signed the bonding package into law.

Bipartisan Approach Wins Praise

Rasmusson’s leadership on the Senate Capital Investment Committee has drawn bipartisan recognition. Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson (R–East Grand Forks) praised Rasmusson for standing firm against wasteful spending and ensuring that funding focused on essential projects.

“Because of Sen. Rasmusson’s work, taxpayers can trust these bonding projects have been thoroughly vetted,” Johnson said. “They meet the needs of the communities they serve and will strengthen our economy statewide.”

Boost for Local Communities and Workers

Beyond improving veterans’ care and infrastructure, lawmakers say the bonding package will have broader economic benefits. Construction projects funded through the bill are expected to create thousands of jobs across Minnesota. Local contractors, skilled trades, and support industries will all see opportunities as work begins.

“These investments not only improve safety and quality of life but also support good-paying jobs,” Rasmusson said. “That’s a win for veterans, for families, and for Minnesota’s economy.”

Veterans at the Center

For Fergus Falls, the funding marks another step in ensuring that local veterans receive the highest standard of care. The facility provides housing and services to those who have served, making it both a medical and community anchor in the region.

“Every investment we make here is about more than bricks and mortar,” Rasmusson emphasized. “It’s about honoring the men and women who stood up for us when duty called.”

As the upgrades move forward, lawmakers say the state will continue working closely with local leaders to ensure that remaining needs are addressed in future sessions.

Looking Ahead

Rasmusson has signaled that infrastructure and veterans’ services will remain central to his priorities. With the bonding bill now signed into law, communities across Minnesota — including Fergus Falls — will begin seeing projects advance in the months ahead.

For residents and families of the Fergus Falls Veterans Home, the improvements bring reassurance that their service and sacrifices are remembered in meaningful, tangible ways.

“This is not the end of the work,” Rasmusson said. “But it is an important step toward preserving a safe, welcoming home for veterans today and for generations to come.”