A rendering of Easterseals NH Military and Veterans Campus. (Courtesy of Easterseals NH/PROCON)
After serving their country in the military, some veterans can find the transition to civilian life difficult, whether it is finding employment, proper health and mental health services and more. Easterseals NH has long provided services to veterans and their families and is now taking a major step forward in serving those who served us by establishing a first-of-its-kind military and veterans campus in NH.
Easterseals NH will be breaking ground on the new 15-acre campus, located along the Merrimack River and Rail Trail in Franklin, in late September. The project, which is being designed and built by PROCON in Hooksett, will include 30 units of affordable rental housing for veterans, a hub of services to co-locate multiple military service organizations, recreation and a retreat center with meeting and event space.
The campus will be located on the site of Daniel Webster’s childhood home and a former orphanage, which is owned by Easterseals NH. The project received $23 million in funding from the State of NH through the American Rescue Plan Act State Fiscal Recovery Funds. The campus will be developed in phases, with the affordable housing, hub of services and portions of the retreat center slated to be complete by the end of 2024.
Additional funds will be raised to complete the retreat center, which will have 20 short-term rental bedrooms (some with kitchenettes), build the multipurpose therapeutic recreation building, military-themed playground, and outdoor performance stage. To develop the project, Easterseals NH convened a taskforce made up of representatives from the military and veteran community. A ceremony to mark the beginning of the construction phase will be held Sept. 20. For more information, visit easterseals.com/nh/our-programs/military-veterans-campus.
Current Issue - May 2024