News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Spencer American Legion Post is preparing to break ground on a new veteran services office.
Post Commander Hansel Moore said the new 1,500 square foot space will assist veterans with finding work.
“They’re estimating about 2,000 veterans in the state of Tennessee that are either homeless or near homeless,” Moore said. “Through professional and different relationships, we come across them every week. We want to do is have it as a resource center for veterans who are struggling.”
Moore said this was made possible through a private donation of an acre lot adjacent to the post. Moore said all that remains is clearing the land for summer building.
“We expect to have a meeting next week,” Moore said. “We have a few things that we need to clean up in the area. We have a couple pending, but we may have a couple companies come in and help us with the construction at no cost. We are looking around May, June to break ground. The structure should be up by the end of the year.”
Moore said multiple Upper Cumberland businesses and organizations are interested with assisting the a veteran hiring program. Moore said opportunities such as resume building and providing clothing would be included.
“The financial part of it has come through private donations of finance, materials and work,” Moore said. “We have had local construction companies and businesses donate their time and resources.”
Moore said the estimated 600 veterans in Van Buren County have been notified of the project. Moore said many with trade skills have volunteered their time to help with the project.
“As we are a growing post, we are going to need more area for parking and other events,” Moore said. “The land itself give us a pretty wide slate of additional area to do different things.”
When the land was donated a vacant structure was included. Moore said the post originally wanted to renovate that building for the new office but decided to demolish it after it was deemed unsafe. Moore said the hiring service center will be placed where that building stood.
