A grant of up to $982,859 to the state of south carolina for the expansion of M.J. Dolly cooper veterans cemetery in anderson, south carolina

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration awarded the State of South Carolina $982,859 under the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (CFDA 64.203) on September 5, 2025, for the expansion of M.J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson, South Carolina. The grant funds infrastructure improvements designed to increase burial capacity and memorial services for the region's veteran population. Specific deliverables include the construction of 1,200 columbarium niches for cremains interment, along with associated landscaping and irrigation system installations to support the expanded cemetery facilities.

The project, with a completion deadline of September 30, 2028, will serve more than 187,000 veterans and their eligible family members in the region. The grant is administered by the South Carolina Office of State Treasurer, Department of Administration. These improvements are consistent with the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program's mission to complement the VA's national cemetery system by providing burial services in geographic areas where national cemeteries cannot fully meet veteran burial demand.

The cemetery serves more than 187,000 veterans and their eligible family members in the region. The grant will fund 1,200 columbarium niches, landscaping, and irrigation.