LANSING — State Representative Pam Faris (D-Clio) is pleased to announce that the Genesee County Department of Veterans Services has been awarded a $15,000 grant by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA). The money is to be used to hire an additional permanent full-time accredited benefits counselor.

“I am thrilled to see needed money come to Genesee County to help our veterans,” Faris said. “This area has a long tradition of hardworking men and women, and our local servicemen and women extend that tradition across the globe. The benefits counselor will be a very helpful addition to the already excellent work of the Genesee County Department of Veterans Services.”

The MVAA’s County Incentive Grant program will give money to 19 Michigan counties in the first round of fiscal year 2016 grants. The grants are awarded to counties looking to create local departments of veterans affairs, hire additional accredited benefits counselors or upgrade or invest in new technology — all to better connect those who have served in the Armed Forces with the benefits they’ve earned.

“It is truly amazing to think of how many of our veterans across the state will be positively impacted by these grants,” Faris said. “I look forward to ongoing MVAA support of local veterans service agencies as we continue the important task of helping our servicemen and women here at home.”