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Group backing new veterans center seeks $300K from Brown County

Aberdeen American News - 5/20/2021

May 20—Brown County commissioners were asked if they would be willing to contribute $300,000 toward the construction of the Aberdeen Area Veterans Memorial Center.

Thomas Croymans, retired brigadier general with the South Dakota Army National Guard and chairman of the capital campaign for the veterans center, asked commissioners for the contribution at Tuesday's commission meeting. He also asked for support from commissioners to relocate the county's veteran service officer to the center once it's completed.

Aberdeen Area Veterans, Inc. aims to raise $5.2 million to construct the facility. The group has raised $200,000 to date, Croymans said, with some of that funding going toward payments on a six-acre tract of land already purchased in the 300 block of North Roosevelt Street.

"We're probably two, three years from construction," Croymans said. "When we get to 80%, we'll break ground."

The Aberdeen Area Veterans Memorial Center is a joint effort among the four veterans organizations in Aberdeen — the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, 40 & 8 and the Marine Corps League.

The goal, Croymans said, is to create a space that will be a hub for veterans activities in the community with programs and services available for veterans. A war memorial is also planned within the building, and it will be the future home of the Pheasant Canteen display. This display had been at the depot with the Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, but has since been moved to the Elks lodge when the convention and visitors bureau moved to a new building at Malchow Plaza on South Main Street.

Croymans said office space has been identified in the new building for Brown County's veteran service officer.

"Your investment in this endeavor will have a lasting impact," Croymans said.

Services and programs through the center are expected to reach not only Aberdeen veterans, but also those across the region.

Other features inside the building include event space, a kitchen and dining area and a fitness center, according to the prospectus featuring details about the center.

While supportive of the project and the economic boost it will bring to the area, Commissioner Rachel Kippley said the county has sometimes provided an in-kind contribution toward a community project, but could not recall an time where the county made a financial commitment. Other commissioners agreed.

While the county has limited funding for such projects, Kippley noted it is expected to receive a fair amount of federal funding through the latest federal stimulus package. But, she said, that money is designated for certain activities, and she's unsure if the veterans center would qualify.

Commissioner Dennis Feickert noted that a funding request was made to the state, which was not granted. He asked what concerns the state had with the funding request.

Croymans said there was concern by state officials that if the local veterans memorial center received funding, it would set a precedent and open the door to other similar requests.

He said one legislator also expressed concern about video lottery machines that would be in the center. Croymans said that legislator was worried about the video lottery machines, which encourage gambling, in a center aimed at providing services to veterans, some of whom struggle with different vices.

On the other hand, he said, the machines will also help provide a stream of income to provide those services.

Kippley and other commissioners said a contribution would also set a precedent for the county,

"It would be unique and great to have a facility like that," Commission Chairman Doug Fjeldheim said. "It's a big undertaking for the size of the community we're at. It'd be a precedent for us if we did it, as well. It's kind of uncharted territory for us to say we're going to do this."

The commission took no action. The county's budget process will start in the coming months.

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