Poplar Bluff VA Medical Center receives funding for facility upgrades

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo., (KBSI) — The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff has received additional federal funding for infrastructure improvements as part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Non-Recurring Maintenance program.

According to the VA, the funding will support several projects at the medical center during the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, including:

* Emergency replacement of an electric feeder.
* Demolition of sinks to correct deficiencies.
* Replacement of electrical switchboards in Buildings 1, 7 and 20.
* Site preparation for the installation of a gamma camera.
* Replacement of a rooftop HVAC unit on Building 6.

Medical Center Director Kevin Bass said the projects will help ensure the facility remains safe, efficient and capable of providing high-quality care to veterans in southeast Missouri.

The funding is part of the VA’s $4.8 billion nationwide investment in repairing, modernizing and improving health care facilities during fiscal year 2026. The department said it has obligated $2.2 billion of those funds so far this fiscal year, including projects to repair aging infrastructure, modernize facilities for future electronic health record updates and improve major building systems.

The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center previously received Non-Recurring Maintenance funding earlier in fiscal year 2026.