PELL CITY — St. Clair County Commission Chairman Stan Batemon said Monday it’s doubtful a local loan for the construction of the new Veterans Home could be paid off with federal dollars.

In February, Batemon said the St. Clair County Commission could consider obtaining a short term bank loan, so construction of the new VA Home could start sooner.

He suggested the local construction loan could be paid off once federal funds were available for the project.

Officials say state funding is in place for construction of the new VA Home in Pell City, but state officials are waiting for federal matching grant money before actual construction of the new Veterans Home begins.

At a town hall meeting held by Sen. Richard Shelby last month, Batemon publicly announced his proposal to help put the VA Home back on the fast-track after officials were informed they would have to wait at least another year for federal funding for the new VA Home.

“I wanted them (the Congressional Delegation) to know how serious the county is about this project,” he said.

Batemon said a week ago he was in Washington, D.C., talking with members of the Alabama delegation.

Batemon said he was assured of their support for the project.

He said it is doubtful Federal VA Construction Grant money can be applied toward a local construction loan for the VA Home, so officials may have to wait another year before actual construction of the VA Home begins.

“We have not received a definitive answer,” Batemon said. “It’s still an option, but a distant option.”

Batemon also said he believes the funding for the new VA Home in Pell City will come next fiscal year.

“It is one of the high priority projects for our delegation,” Batemon said. “We’re very fortunate to have a seasoned delegation with seniority. That makes me more certain we’ll receive funding next year.”

State officials say all funding must be in place before the construction of the new $50 million facility can begin.

Batemon said the delay isn’t all bad.

He said the extra time has given the VA Home and the St. Vincent’s St. Clair Hospital time to form a relationship and more time to discuss possible contract agreements.

He said Jefferson State Community College is also talking to the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs about providing classes to veterans who are housed at the new VA Home facility.

The location of the new VA Home is planned for on a 27-acre site across from where the new St. Vincent’s St. Clair Hospital is constructed. The site is north of Interstate 20, near the Jefferson State Community College campus.

Officials say the new Veterans Home will create about 300 new jobs.

VA officials say the new Veterans Home is a cutting edge homecare facility with plenty of green space for veterans.

Officials say the new Veterans Home will have a town center with a beauty/barber shop, coffee shop, chapel and a main dinning hall for residents. The town center will also have a “Hall of Honor” dedicated to the men and women who have served our nation.

Officials say the new facility will have 254 private rooms and bathrooms, and 174 rooms are regular skilled nursing beds. Eighty rooms are assisted living residences.