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$1.9M Boost for Blair County Veterans Hospital

Major facility upgrades coming to Altoona VA Medical Center including new teaching kitchen and police station improvements

The James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona has secured over $1.9 million in federal funding for infrastructure improvements, part of a record nationwide investment in veterans' healthcare facilities.

The funding will support two major projects: a $1.3 million renovation of the Food and Nutrition Service kitchen featuring new refrigeration and freezer units, plus a dedicated classroom for Healthy Teaching kitchen classes and additional exam room space.

A separate $275,000 project will replace the air handling system at the VA Police Department.

"This funding allows our medical center to continue modernizing and improving, so our facility remains safe, efficient and equipped to provide high-quality care for our Veterans in Central Pennsylvania," said Interim Medical Center Director David DiGiacomo.

The investment comes from the Veterans Health Administration's Non-Recurring Maintenance program, which has distributed $4.8 billion nationwide this fiscal year to modernize and repair VA healthcare facilities.

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The Blair Buzz is the neighborly hum of Blair County, PA, delivering the essential happenings of our county. Each issue is a friendly roundup of local news, upcoming events, hidden gems tucked away in our historic county, and shoutouts that celebrate the people who make our community special. It’s a weekly dose of connection, capturing the unique spirit of life in the heart of Blair County.

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