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Post Number: 1
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binanca
Group: Members
Posts: 50
Joined: Jun. 2012
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Posted on: Nov. 09 2013,3:44 pm |
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QUOTE U.S. House Rep. Tim Walz on Friday announced Albert Lea has been selected as the site for a new Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic.
The clinic, which will be in the former JoAnn Fabrics at the Skyline Plaza, is expected to open by mid-2014.
“Today has been a long time coming,” Walz said. “I could not be more pleased with this announcement.”
The decision comes about five years after officials in Washington, D.C., announced plans for a clinic in south-central Minnesota. Other communities that expressed interest were Owatonna, Austin and Faribault.
Walz, a 24-year veteran of the Army National Guard and the highest ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress, thanked the VA for its data-driven decision to put the clinic in southern Minnesota and said he thinks it will ensure that local veterans have access to the health care they deserve.
Community-based outpatient clinics offer primary health care services and mental health counseling, sometimes through video teleconferencing. The clinics do not provide urgent care or emergency care.
The Albert Lea clinic will be operated by Valor Healthcare Inc. of Louisville, Kent.
A news release stated Valor Healthcare was awarded a $28.2 million, five-year contract to operate both the Albert Lea clinic and a second clinic in Shakopee.
Ralph Heussner, VA public affairs officer, said the clinic is expected to serve between 2,000 and 3,000 veterans in its first year of operations and this is expected to grow in subsequent years.
“This is a major development,” Heussner said.
He noted several factors were considered when making the decision, including economics, medical need and the demographics of veterans. The next closest clinics are in Mankato, Rochester and Mason City.
Freeborn County Veterans Services Officer Ron Reule said the clinic will be helpful to veterans in both southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.
“I thinks it’s wonderful,” Reule said. “It’s a good thing for all veterans in the area.”
Curtis Smith, owner of the Skyline Plaza, said the clinic will occupy about 11,000 square feet of space and will be accessed tentatively through a south entrance.
“It’s very exciting for everyone in Albert Lea, Freeborn County, and all veterans in at least a 100-mile radius,” Smith said.
He said having the clinic at Skyline Plaza will be a “huge boost for the southwest side of town” and said he thinks it will cause a “snowball effect” for Albert Lea.
He anticipated it may help bring a restaurant to that side of town and maybe even bring in a business to the former Walmart space.
He said officials looked at many aspects of the community, including job potential, quality of employees to hire in the area, the downtown and even the restaurants in town. Another factor was the easy access to U.S. Highway 69 going into Iowa and the crossroads of Interstates 35 and 90.
“It’s a proud day for all of us,” Smith said. “Everyone should take pride. They interviewed the whole community, if you will.”
Albert Lea Mayor Vern Rasmussen said he hopes community members will show hospitality to the veterans who will be coming into town.
“Right now it’s up to the community to get behind and support and welcome these veterans to our community,” Rasmussen said.
Heussner said a celebration will be planned for when the clinic opens.
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Post Number: 2
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Madd Max
Group: Members
Posts: 1345
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Nov. 10 2013,8:47 am |
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Great News!!
-------------- Heck, if crazy were a pre-existing condition, the GOP wouldn't be able to get insurance. James Carville
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Post Number: 3
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pepi-lapew
Group: Members
Posts: 271
Joined: Jun. 2009
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Posted on: Nov. 10 2013,10:15 am |
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Do you think a VA clinic will help a dead town? I dont
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Post Number: 4
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hairhertz
Group: Members
Posts: 3489
Joined: Dec. 2004
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Posted on: Nov. 10 2013,3:54 pm |
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So many vets are in need of medical services. While they are here, they buy gas, eat lunch, etc. It will have a positive impact on the economy. Kudos to those who helped make it happen.
-------------- metis movement
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Post Number: 5
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Post Number: 6
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usmcr
Group: Members
Posts: 922
Joined: Sep. 2003
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Posted on: Nov. 11 2013,8:09 am |
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This is a great development for the community & particularly for the veterans in and around the area. the influx of 2 to 3 thousand veterans will indeed have a impact on our community. The main focus is the impact this will have on the veterans & their families who will utilize this facility. whoever was involved with making this happen i salute you! Albert Lea needed a boost & hopefully this will generate other business's in the area.
-------------- "Do not confuse dissent with disloyalty" Edward R Murrow
Memento homo quia pulvis es, et in pulverem veverteris
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Post Number: 7
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Self-Banished
Group: Members
Posts: 22668
Joined: Feb. 2006
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Posted on: Nov. 11 2013,9:33 am |
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Yep, just think of all those vets that will get rooms down at Diamond Joes and spend their money there
And when they come to Albert Lea they can, ah, ah...
Spend money at Walmart?
-------------- Remember boys and girls,
Don’t be a Dick …
Or a “Wayne”
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Post Number: 8
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jaaah
Group: Members
Posts: 8
Joined: Aug. 2012
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Posted on: Nov. 13 2013,4:51 pm |
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There will also be jobs added of doctors and nurses and other personnel. This will help the housing market and schools.
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Post Number: 9
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This is my real name
Group: Members
Posts: 1468
Joined: Sep. 2006
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Posted on: Nov. 15 2013,12:09 pm |
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It isn't going to bring tons of jobs to our area—but it will bring something. At least it's development that isn't more minimum-wage retail and fast food. And, it's using a vacated part of the Skyline Plaza instead of building new and letting Jo-Ann Fabric continue to sit empty for a few more years.
-------------- PEZ the only candy you eat after your favorite fictional character spits it out of their tracheotomy hole.
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Post Number: 10
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