The State Department of Veteran Services will once again seek funding for the Upper Cumberland Veterans Cemetery.
The project was not selected for federal funding last year. Commissioner Tommy Baker said the project ranked 66th on the priority list. Only 44 were funded.
“We did not make the cut in FY ’22,” Baker said. “So, we have went ahead and renewed our application, and we’re hopeful and optimistic that we may get that in FY ’23 when they list comes out again.”
Baker said the National Cemetery Administration overall can consider up to 113 sites for funding. Existing cemeteries that face capacity issues are ranked first, according to Baker. Baker said new cemetery projects fall in the second priority.
“We’re still going to be in priority two, but a couple of scenarios could occur,” Baker said. “There could be less priority one applications for the next cycle that we are not aware of. That could maybe move us up higher. It’s a wait and see game at this point.”
Baker said the state should receive feedback on the funding application this fall. The proposed cemetery will be located on 127 acres at Country Club Road in White County.
Baker said so far, the environmental study has been complete. Baker said the design of the cemetery is still in the works.
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