(KAIR)--A major federal investment of $1.7 million is coming to Valley Hope in Atchison to expand and modernize the addiction treatment facility.
The funding will support upgrades and improvements to help Valley Hope serve more people seeking recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
United States Senator Jerry Moran announced the investment during a visit to the facility on Friday. The Kansas Republican said the funds were secured through his role as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Valley Hope CEO Dr. Patrick Hall, Atchison Mayor LaRochelle Young, Foundation Executive Director Megan O’Connor, Father Meinrad of St. Benedict’s Abbey, and Rick Berger and Karen Seaberg, co-chairs of Valley Hope’s Honorary Campaign, were all commended by Moran for their continued leadership and support. He said their dedication continues to make a lasting impact on those touched by Valley Hope’s mission of healing and recovery.
The federal funds come as the non-profit addiction treatment facility is engaged in the Bridge to Recovery Capital Campaign, a $6.8 million project designed to expand and renovate the campus of the Atchison facility to meet what Valley Hope calls "growing community needs."
Atchison wasn't Moran's only local stop on Friday, with the Senator also visiting Brown and Nemaha Counties where allocated funds for local law enforcement were announced.
In Brown County, he joined Sheriff John Merchant to unveil $177,000 in federal resources for the Brown County Sheriff’s Office. The funding will be used to upgrade patrol vehicles, helping ensure deputies have reliable transportation, along with an expected improvement to response times, as they patrol the rural county. Moran voiced appreciation for Sheriff Merchant, Brown County Commissioner Richard Tesoriero and the entire Brown County Sheriff’s Office for their service.
A Friday morning stop in Nemaha County saw Moran join Seneca Police Chief Dylan Blevins and Mayor Joe Mitchell at Seneca City Hall to announce $536,000 in federal support for the department. The funding will be used to purchase in-car computers and upgraded body-worn cameras. He thanked Police Chief Blevins, Mayor Mitchell, Kansas State Senator Craig Bowser, Seneca City Manager Steve Brooks, City Council Members Jim Mitchell, Mike Stallbaumer, Kris Enneking and Ray Shinn and retired law enforcement officer Glen Osterhaus for joining him at the event and for their dedication to serving the Seneca community.
Moran, in a release that followed his local visits, said the law enforcement investments reflect his commitment to ensuring agencies have the tools and support they need during what he described as "an increasingly challenging time for policing."
The Republican senator also made two stops in Doniphan County. In Elwood, Moran announced more than $400,000 in federal funding for the Elwood Police Department. The money will go toward two new patrol vehicles, updated radio systems, in-car dash cameras, and body cameras. In Wathena, Moran announced $95,000 for the Wathena Police Department to acquire upgraded radios.
