WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) introduced legislation that would authorize funding through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a Vet Center in Mankato, Minnesota, which would provide community-based counseling services to eligible veterans, servicemembers, and their families.  

“As I talk with veterans across southern Minnesota, the resounding message I hear from them is the need for local, accessible VA resources,” said Rep. Finstad. “Many of the men and women who serve our country face challenges while adjusting from active duty to civilian life; yet, many do not seek the counseling they need because they live far from a VA facility. I am proud to lead the effort to establish a Vet Center in the heart of south-central Minnesota, which will increase access to community-based counseling services for veterans across the First District and help our heroes get the care that they have earned and deserve.”   

The legislation is endorsed by the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers (MACVSO), the Disabled American Veterans Department of Minnesota (DAV MN), the Minnesota Paralyzed Veterans of America (MNPVA), the American Legion Department of Minnesota, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Minnesota (MN VFW).

“Blue Earth County Veterans Services strongly supports Representative Finstad’s legislation that would provide the funding needed to establish a full-time, permanent Vet Center in Mankato. Blue Earth County Veterans Services has long seen the need for more mental health services for veterans in Mankato and the surrounding communities,” said Michael McLaughlin, Blue Earth County Veteran Service Officer. “Over a year ago Blue Earth County partnered with the St. Paul Vet Center to provide mental health services on weekly basis in the Blue Earth County Government Center. Since this partnership began, therapeutic sessions have been completely booked for everyday that services are available. The demand for Vet Center services has been demonstrated by this partnership between county and our federal partners. The demand for these lifesaving services has proven that area veterans need a greater frequency of care than one day a week, or one day a month. Representative Finstad’s bill would provide a full time Vet Center counselor and office in Mankato that could provide individual or group therapy that changes veteran’s lives and can help to curb veteran suicide.” 

“As a County Veterans Service Officer, I know first-hand the value a Vet Center brings to the lives of Veterans and their family. Minnesota has 41,000 Post 9/11 Veterans, many of whom suffer from re-adjustment issues after spending multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and the Horn of Africa,” said Greg Peterson, Legislative Director, MACVSO. “These men and women earned the right to have VA care in Southern Minnesota, not a two or three-hour drive away. Having a Vet Center in Mankato is “doable” for those Veterans who will be in the workforce for decades to come.”  

"The Disabled American Veterans, Department of Minnesota has strongly supported the expansion of Vet Centers in Minnesota for years. When you look at the resources available in other states surrounding Minnesota, you can see our Veterans do not have access to the important care offered at Veterans Centers that is available elsewhere,” said Trent C. Dilks, Legislative Director, DAV MN. “We have worked with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, other stakeholders, the VA leadership locally and nationally, in pursuit of increasing access. We thank Rep. Brad Finstad for his leadership in introducing legislation to make increased access to care available for Veterans in the Mankato area. We will continue to seek every avenue available to us, to ensure Veterans can get the care they need, where they need it."  

“PVA has had several discussions with the other Veterans Service Organizations and Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs concerning the need for a Vets-Center located in the lower one third of the state. The Mankato choice of location would serve our veterans from a centralized location between Rochester, MN and Sioux Falls, SD,” said Todd Kemery, National Director, MNPVA. “Currently there are three Vet-Centers in Minnesota Duluth, Anoka, and St. Paul. All three do a wonderful job with serving our Minnesota Veterans. However, it is easy to understand that for those Veterans living in southern MN., have to consider travel time and cost when in need of assistance. It is time to consider the need for our Minnesota Veterans that live outside of a service area that is difficult to manage and provide a much-needed Vets Center in Mankato MN.” 

“The American Legion Department of Minnesota supports Representative Brad Finstad’s legislation to place a Veterans Center in Mankato Minnesota,” said Paul Hassing, Commander, the American Legion Department of Minnesota. “Vet centers have proven to be a valuable asset to help our veterans and their families to cope with the effects of deployments and war. Vet centers are a no threat environment for our men and women to ask for help. With the end of the twenty-year war in Afghanistan and Iraq vet centers are needed more now than ever before. Please support and fund the legislation before you and stand with The American Legion Department of Minnesota to support a Veterans Center in Mankato Minnesota.”

A letter of support from MACVSO can be found here. 

A letter of support from MNPVA can be found here.  

A letter of support from the American Legion Department of Minnesota can be found here.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.