Several local community members and local and state elected leaders celebrated the official opening of the new Radcliff Veteran Center in Radcliff Friday (7/21) afternoon.
Lt. Governor Jenean Hampton was joined by Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Norman Arflack, State Representative Jim Duplessis, Fort Knox Garrison Commander Colonel Patrick Kaune, Hardin County Judge Executive Harry Berry and Radcliff Mayor Mike Weaver to cut the ribbon officially opening the new facility.
The Radcliff Veterans Center incorporates the community living concept, which features four neighborhoods comprised of three 10-bedroom households. The design provides 120 veterans with a private room, private bath and family-style living room, dining room, kitchen and patio. A separate administration building houses recreation, therapy and other services. The center will eventually employ over 200 staff members.
The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs began planning the Radcliff home in 2006. Construction began in July 2013. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided a $21.45 million construction grant, and the Kentucky General Assembly appropriated $18.6 million in construction funds. The U.S. Department of Defense donated 194 acres of land from Fort Knox to the Commonwealth of Kentucky for the center.
According to officials, there are an estimated 56,000 veterans in Jefferson County, 16,000 in Hardin, 7,000 in Bullitt, and 5,000 in Oldham, which equates to more than a fourth of all the veterans in Kentucky. The Radcliff Veterans Center is Kentucky’s fourth state veterans home. A fifth center is being planned in Bowling Green.
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