The announcement has not yet been made for the clinic along the Minnesota border

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Wednesday it has chosen Mankato as the location for a new community-based outpatient clinic in south central Minnesota.

Freeborn County Veterans Services Officer Jon Rhiger said this clinic is separate from the anticipated community-based outpatient clinic scheduled along the south-central border of the state, of which Albert Lea, Austin and Owatonna are in the running.

According to a news release, U.S. House Rep. Tim Walz was notified by Department of Veterans Affairs Under Secretary of Health Robert Petzel that the Mankato clinic contract has been awarded to Sterling Medical Associates. A satellite clinic will be in St. James.

Currently, veterans can receive mental health services in Mankato but not primary care. With the opening of this clinic, veterans will have access to both mental health services and primary care in Mankato.

Walz applauded the announcement, saying expanded access to a VA facility in Mankato is a win for veterans.

“Southern Minnesota veterans often have to drive over an hour to Minneapolis to receive VA care,” Walz said in the release. This award announcement and the anticipated opening in April is great news.

“Many veterans just can’t make the drive anymore and are forced to resort to private insurance or Medicare for their primary care,” he added. “I have been pushing the VA to get this done, and I am pleased with today’s announcement.”

With the Mankato announcement made, Rhiger said VA officials will now be able to focus on where the south-central border outpatient clinic will be.

He did not know a timeline for when this announcement would be made.