Franklin, NH – Joined by veterans, military members, families, Governor Chris Sununu, PROCON’s design-build team and dignitaries from around the state, Easterseals NH recently broke ground for its new Center of Excellence, designed to offer a wide variety of support services in one location. The Military and Veterans Campus in Franklin will be operational in just over one year, and planning is underway to move into a second phase designed to expand the list of available supports and programs for veterans and their families.
Easterseals NH Military and Veterans Campus groundbreaking
“With the groundbreaking of the Military and Veterans Campus, New Hampshire is setting the gold standard for care to our veteran community like never before,” said Sununu. “With the health and wellness of America’s heroes as the vision behind this campus, we have taken a 21st century approach to at long last build a campus with all-encompassing supports and services in one central location.” Easterseals NH was awarded $23 million from the State of New Hampshire through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery Funds (SFRF) to develop the campus and its programs.
Governor Chris Sununu
“We stand here energized by the broad support we have received, and we are mission ready,” said Maureen Beauregard, president and CEO of Easterseals NH. “It is truly humbling to see the strong and invested support from the veteran and military community. Your voices and your input have helped us shape the vision and design of this campus. Thank you for both your service to our country and to this project. “
The first-of-its-kind center of excellence for veterans, military members, and their families will include affordable housing, a hub of services, retreat center, and therapeutic recreation opportunities. PROCON has announced its partnership with Easterseals NH to design and build the campus.
John Stebbins
“Our family has long supported veterans and military in our community,” said John Stebbins, PROCON CEO. “We have hired many team members who have served and continue to serve our country. We are honored to partner with Easterseals NH to design and build Easterseals NH Military and Veterans Campus in Franklin. Our entire team and veterans are excited to be able to give back to other veterans and the military by designing the best possible facility to support their needs.”
Additional funds will be raised to complete the retreat center, build the multipurpose therapeutic recreation building, military-themed playground, makerspace, and outdoor performance stage. Easterseals NH is collaborating with stakeholders, partners, the State of New Hampshire, and the public on the project. This has included seeking feedback from the community process, such as creating a Campus Taskforce; attending local and regional site visits of high-quality military and veteran programs; conducting interviews and outreach with state officials, nonprofits, and other providers; and creating, distributing, and analyzing surveys sent to providers and members of the military and veteran community.
Rendering of Easterseals NH Military and Veterans Campus – accessible atrium entry
The first phase of the project, construction of the affordable housing for veterans, hub of services for veteran service providers, and portions of the retreat center, begins in October. The completion of the first phase of the project is projected for early 2025.
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“As a 22-year Air Force veteran, I could not be happier to welcome Easterseals New Hampshire to our city to develop what I am confident will be a Veteran and Military Campus that will set the standard and model of care for all Veterans,” said Franklin Mayor Jo Brown. “The citizens of Franklin join me in welcoming Easterseals and all veterans and military members to our city.”
“New Hampshire has one of the highest per capita populations of veterans in the country, so we know the need for access to programs and housing is high,” said Andy MacWilliam, chair of the board of directors for Easterseals NH. “We are confident with the support of our statewide community, the nonprofit sector, private businesses, and citizens that we can raise the remaining funds needed to fully complete this incredible campus. The Easterseals NH Military and Veterans Campus will change lives, support families, and offer a much-deserved way of saying thank you to all who have served or are serving in the military today.”
