PARIS — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently awarded a $598,800 grant to the Maine Veterans’ Home on High Street to pay for improvements made more than a year ago.

The grant was announced in a joint statement from U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King on Wednesday. 

“Maine’s veterans deserve nothing but the highest quality of care, and providing outstanding rehabilitative facilities is central to that important mission,” the senators said in the statement. 

“These critical funds will do that by directly supporting the renovation and improvement of the State Veterans home in South Paris,” the statement said.

The grant is reimbursement for work completed more than a year ago, said Maine Veterans’ Homes spokesperson Jeff Roosevelt. 

Three new heat recovery systems were installed, two patio areas and dining room were renovated and flooring was replaced in the home at 477 High St. 

Replacing the heat systems makes the building’s climate conditioning systems more efficient and effective, Roosevelt said. Other renovations were undertaken to improve the quality of residents’ experience at the home, he said. 

“It wasn’t something that was mandated, but it certainly adds to our veterans experiences at our facilities and it enhances what we can do for our veterans,” Roosevelt said.

Maine Veterans’ Homes applied for the grant prior to starting work, Roosevelt said. The agency was still going through the close-out process to receive the reimbursement. 

pmcguire@sunjournal.com