Pulaski County Fiscal Court OKs resolution to serve as pass-through for $2 million veterans grant request

Pulaski County Fiscal Court voted Wednesday to approve a resolution authorizing the county to serve as the pass-through recipient if a proposed $2 million community-project appropriation for veterans services is approved through Congressman Rogers' office.

The action came after Virginia Dial, CEO of Connect Community Village and Bluegrass Veterans Ranch, described progress at the ranch: six finished houses, work under way on a second set of six homes, a nearly completed community center, manager housing and a chapel whose finished basement will double as a storm shelter for about 50 people. Dial told the court the site will house roughly 25 veterans when completed and asked the court to serve as the pass-through recipient should federal appropriations be approved for fiscal 2027.

Judge introduced the request and asked for a motion; the resolution was moved, seconded by Mr. Renshaw and approved by voice vote with no opposition announced. The resolution does not itself commit county funds; it authorizes the county to accept and forward federal funds to the nonprofit if the appropriation is awarded.

Dial framed the project as a transitional community for veterans returning to civilian life and, speaking emotionally, read material she said motivated the work. "That is why we do what we do. We want to help these men with broken hearts," Dial said when describing the ranch's purpose and the veterans the program serves.

Court members who spoke in favor noted they had visited the site and supported the project. The court did not set a fiscal commitment beyond agreeing to serve as the pass-through recipient if the federal award is made.

Next steps: Connect Community Village will await action from Congressman Rogers' office and the federal appropriations process; if the $2 million is approved, county staff will work with the organization on the mechanics of receiving and passing funds to the nonprofit.