The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) has received an additional $5.4 million in federal funding to support the development of the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery – North Alabama. 

The updated funding, awarded through the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program of the National Cemetery Administration within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, includes a new total of $18,094,445 for the establishment of the cemetery and a separate $875,706 for the development of an extra preplaced vault section.

The latest award is in addition to $13.5 million in federal grant funding awarded earlier this year, which was spearheaded by U.S. Representative Dale Strong (AL-05).

“This additional $5.4 million in federal funding is a tremendous investment in the continued development of the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery – North Alabama. We are incredibly grateful to the National Cemetery Administration for this significant support and to Governor Kay Ivey for her continued commitment to this project,” said ADVA Commissioner Jeff Newton. “We’ve heard this could be the largest grant ever awarded for a state veterans cemetery, which would make an already historic project even more significant. We are excited to break ground next month and continue building a lasting tribute to the veterans of North Alabama.”

Located on 150 acres near Maysville outside Huntsville, the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery – North Alabama will ultimately provide approximately 150,000 burial sites over its projected 200-year lifespan.

Consolidated Construction Company of Alabama in Huntsville was the lowest bidder for the project, with construction expected to take approximately 16 to 18 months following groundbreaking.

ADVA also has been awarded $283,200 in federal funding to support the expansion of the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort. The more than 120-acre cemetery in Baldwin County currently has approximately 9,000 graves and is projected to serve more than 190,000 veterans, spouses and eligible dependents over its 100-year lifespan.

More information about the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery Program is available on the here.