Mighty Hero Homes seeks city partnership for 84-unit veterans village on Central State campus

Drew Walston, president and CEO of Mighty Heroes Home, told the Milledgeville City council the group plans an 84-home community on the Central State campus aimed at long-term stability for veterans and comprehensive on-site services. Walston described a layout of seven quads with a central commons and a 6,000-square-foot community center and said the project pairs housing with health and employment services.

"Tonight, we're not looking for special treatment. We're looking for something that's much more valuable, and that's a partnership," Walston said, asking the city to use its local relationships to connect the project to banks, foundations, health-care partners and contractors. He said the development will follow local ordinances and processes and asked only for introductions and local support.

Senator Williams, who joined the presentation, highlighted prior related work to address veterans' homelessness and said state support helped open a 14-bed transitional center: "We were able to secure $2,500,000 to staff that and the transitional center to get those open and operating." Cliff Harris, a project partner and West Point graduate, framed the scale of need, citing presenter figures for homeless veterans and veteran suicides to argue urgency and feasibility.

Walston outlined on-site training and services, including a 3,000-square-foot greenhouse for aquaponics and a canine training facility intended to certify veteran trainers. He said the base will host workforce development and peer-support partners so residents have integrated services rather than stand-alone housing. Walston asked the council to help the group meet potential local funders and to consider Milledgeville as a model site for replication.

The presentation closed with council members thanking Walston and partners; Walston said he looked forward to working with city staff on next steps.