Augusta slipped in federal rankings and is left with one course of action to build a veteran cemetery, former Mayor Bob Young told commissioners Tuesday.
The effort, spearheaded by Young and commission candidate Don Clark, is stymied by the fact that Augusta sits between Milledgeville and Fort Jackson, S.C., both of which have large cemeteries for veterans, he said.
“Our federal partners have been great to work with, but the VA has been working against us,” Young said.
The Augusta area is home to some 66,000 veterans and their families who would have an affordable, convenient last resting place if the cemetery is built, he said. Instead, the nearest veteran cemeteries are 80 and 90 miles away.
Until last year, Augusta was slowly working its way up a list to become eligible for $12 million in federal grants for construction. The state committed $1 million to the project as well as land at the former Gracewood state hospital.
But after reaching No. 22 on the list, Augusta fell last year to No. 35, Young said.
“We’re left with one course of action, and that’s for the state to provide $12 million,” he said.
The effort has a network of sponsors including Lewis Bus Line, which has agreed to transport a delegation of veterans and other interested parties to the Georgia capitol Jan. 23 to deliver the request, he said.
Young said he’s already spoken with area legislators and the Senate appropriations chairman.
The commission agreed to add the request to its “list of priorities” to take to Atlanta. It previously drafted a letter of support for the project.
Gov. Brian Kemp’s budget, meanwhile, showed the $1 million the state committed to the effort not being spent this year.
Augusta contributes to state coffers – such as the $14 million parking deck the city built for the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center downtown, Young said.
In other action Tuesday, the commission postponed action on a Wrightsboro Road convenience store until the complex’s owner and law enforcement can get involved.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theaugustapress.com
