Governor Chris Sununu and others spoke at a press conference today at Easterseals NH’s headquarters in Manchester to unveil design plans for an innovative campus for military members, veterans, and their families. Photo courtesy of PROCON.
What started as a conversation with Governor Sununu regarding deepening Easterseals NH’s commitment to military service members, veterans, and their families has evolved into a unique partnership with the State of NH to provide a central hub for housing and a variety of services. The blueprints for the 15-acre campus in Franklin are complete and construction is set to begin in September for what will be a roughly 15-month schedule.
“Our military service members stood tall for us, defending the freedoms and liberties we hold dear,” says Gov. Chris Sununu. “Like never before, New Hampshire is creating the gold standard for the health and wellness of America’s heroes. In the Granite State, neighbors take care of neighbors. It comes with great pride that we are able to create this historic, one-of-a-kind, all-encompassing campus.”
"New Hampshire has one of the largest per capita populations of veterans in the country, so we know the demand is high,” says Maureen Beauregard, president and CEO of Easterseals NH. “This new campus will create a singular pathway to connect military service members, veterans, and their families with the services, programs, and assistance they need. It is a project of passion for all of us at Easterseals NH and we are deeply honored to be a part of such an important mission.”
The campus aimed at helping military service members, veterans, and their families will include 30 units of permanent affordable rental housing for veterans, a hub of services, a retreat center with meeting and event spaceas well as 20 short-term rental bedrooms, some with kitchenettes, and therapeutic recreation opportunities, including ccess to the rail trail and Merrimack River; a to-be-built multipurpose building for equine and dog therapy, a rock climbing wall, ropes course, and more; a military-themed playground; and an outdoor performance stage.
Since 2007, Easterseals NH’s Veterans Count program has provided care to over 9,000 service members, veterans, and their families. With the new Military and Veterans Campus, Easterseals NH will be able to deepen and extend services to the military community.
Easterseals NH was awarded $23M from the State of NH through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery Funds (SFRF) to develop a campus for military members and their families. Additional funds will need to be raised to complete the retreat center, build the multipurpose therapeutic recreation building, military-themed playground, and outdoor performance stage.
PROCON Design-Build in Hooksett has the task of turning the plans into a reality and provided the renderings for the official project launch.
“This project is the culmination of years of exploring new and revolutionary ways to better serve this specific population of families in New Hampshire and we are thrilled to be taking this dramatic step towards fulfilling our goal of serving those who have served our country,” says Andy MacWilliam, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Easterseals NH. “We can’t wait to get started.”
Design renderings of the first-of-its-kind military and veterans campus were released today at Easterseals NH’s headquarters in Manchester, NH. PROCON is the design-build firm hired by Easterseals NH to transform many historic buildings into affordable housing, a hub of services, and a retreat center. Rendering courtesy fo PROCON.
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