A grant of up to $657,855 to the state of north carolina for the expansion of eastern carolina state veterans cemetery in goldsboro

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration awarded $657,855 to the North Carolina Department of Military & Veterans Affairs on September 5, 2025, under the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (CFDA 64.203) to expand the Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Goldsboro. The project will develop infrastructure to increase burial capacity and memorial services for the cemetery's 290,000+ eligible veterans and family members through the construction of 480 columbarium niches, along with associated landscaping and irrigation improvements. Project completion is scheduled for September 30, 2028.

This award is part of the VA's national effort to complement the federal cemetery system by providing burial services in geographic areas where national cemeteries cannot fully meet demand. The Veterans Cemetery Grants Program has distributed over $1.187 billion since 1980 to support the development of 124 veterans' cemeteries across states, territories, and federally recognized tribal governments. North Carolina received three concurrent project grants in September 2025 totaling approximately $4.75 million to expand capacity at three state veterans cemeteries, with all projects targeting completion by September 2028 and requiring compliance with VA standards and Build America, Buy America Act domestic content requirements.

The goldsboro cemetery serves more than 290,000 veterans and their eligible family members. The grant will fund 480 columbarium niches, landscaping, and irrigation.