Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park will receive $7 million in state funding, state Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, announced in a press conference June 29. Metcalf said he was able to secure the funding through the budget process in the Legislature.

Jimmie Edwards, chair of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission, said he and the rest of the commission are “elated” at this announcement.

“I’m never at a loss for words, but today I am because of the tremendous impact this will have on this community and this county,” Edwards said.

Edwards said the money will go toward funding towards a visitors education center and the main memorial on the north end of the park. Metcalf also announced that the Texas Department of Transportation will be putting up signs on I-45 to direct visitors to the park.

“It’s a great day for this park,” Metcalf said. “I can’t wait to see the [visitors education center] and museum become a reality with these funds.”

Edwards said the funding will help the park move up in state and national recognition.

“We have been legitimized by the state of Texas,” Edwards said.